JUST MY DOG
He is my other eyes
that can see above
the clouds; my other ears
that hear above
the winds. He is the part
of me that can
reach out into the sea.
He has told me 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 man. With him,
I am all-powerful.
He is loyalty itself.
He has taught me the
meaning of devotion.
With him, I know a 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...
henever...wherever--in
case I need him.
And I expect I will--as I
always have.
He is just my dog.
--- Gene Hill ---