I’ve been
a dog’s person
for years;
playing with dog,
making comfortable
places for dog,
working for dog.
Here's your water,
here's your food.
Cleaning up after dog.
Learning people lessons
from dog.

Dog loves
unconditionally.
No deals.
Loves company,
forgives my mistakes,
my lack of maturity,
my short temper,
never holds grudges,
always waits for me,
wagging dog love,
love seen in each
other’s eyes.

But now
dog is gone.
Sleeps forever
under dog's favorite tree
where dog lay
all day
on rounded river rocks
listening to
wind chimes
in breezes overhead.
Part of me’s dead.
Oh dog.

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