It’s amazing now to think of how small you were.
Huddled against St. Jude’s doors.
Early mountain spring
still biting and cold.
All eyes, tongue, and paws.
Galaxy eyes but,
your search for safety just a permanent look.
Observant watchful
but never surprised.
With that wide eyed nervous wonder
you kept us safe.
From vacuums cats a vicious black lab
hell bent on eating us out of house and home.
You learned our names and a love for carrots.
With your soft tongue you
kissed comfort into my teenage nights.
Until I left you.
For a city across the state,
a life apart from wooded walks
and quick glances over your shoulder
of anticipation
of concern.
Nights at the foot of a hard twin mattress
replaced by weekends of sheepish sheep dog looks
the bag I never fully unpacked.
via Whisker Therapy