Just My Dog
He's just my dog.
He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds.

He has told me more than a thousand times over that I am his reason for being -- by the way he rests against my leg, by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile, by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me).

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.

When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.

When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.

When I am a fool, he ignores it.

When I succeed, he brags.
Without him, I am only another person.
With him, I am all powerful.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion is loyalty itself. With him, I know the secret comfort and a private peace.

He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.

His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me ... whenever ... wherever ... in case I need him, and I expect I will, as I always have.

Who is he? -- He's just --

MY DOG!

He sits to the side, out of the way
While others beg head rubs, or force you to play.
His dark liquid eyes watch your every move
Hoping and waiting, his love to prove.
He was shown many times, a promising pup
And he just got better as he grew up.
A picture of health, robust and strong,
His gait and topline, never went wrong.

But his prime has passed, and he seems to know,
That he'll never again be put in a show.
He eats, sleeps, not much more than that,
And maybe he's getting a little too fat.
He loves to be brushed, when you have the time,
He waits his turn at the end of the line.
You think of him, sure, but not nearly as much
As those promising pups, that new special and such.
So he sits and he waits, till you have time,
To make the same fuss as you did in his prime.
A scrap of affection, or playful shove,
To him it means everything, to him it means LOVE!!