Thirteen years a prize and a treasure
The animal in every measure made a soul
Once flop-eared pup quiet in the yaps
And flock of siblings whose ears all stood up
Now the twice-by-pickup-trucks-struck
Side-walker with wet patrolling nose
Hackles high at every knock on the door
Just to find us there once more, returning
To that incessant tail and lolling tongue
That sought hands and simple food and faces
Sometimes sniper-wrought on our lips

Thirteen years a sand-eater
Wallower by the surf but only once in
Which was enough, and then in to
Space heaters and fire places where your
Humans spoke into the night and brought
More wood for thought and light as you
Watched in soft shadows by the door

Thirteen years fade thin like a cloud gone out
From the once full and bright to the no-white
Against the blue and no fight for age
And creaking up steps one paw
At a time, muzzle white but eyes never dim
Never dim, laying down your head at last in our hands
Your collar still on the wall over the flowerbed
Rusted buckle and rusted heart tag
Like a summons bell and when passing by, I shake
The old collar and feel a tail wag against my leg.
A happy heart wakes under my open hand.

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