Carlos Neruda wrote of a

dog who waited for the self-

professed atheist/Communist

in doggie heaven. I, Christian

that I am, have four who wait

for me – three Chocolate Labs

who will slobber all over me

with celestial saliva and slap

my face with tails lifted high

and swaying in pious praise

and one Beagle/ Dachshund

who will stare me down,

point me in the opposite direct-

ion and tell the others what I

really was like.