I sit to jot a line or two

about unconditional love;

my Chocolate Lab sees

me sit, rises and gives

my pen hand a gentle shove.

 

Like a child in my arms,

the 95 lb. lab says let me down;

I want you to take me

to the merry-go-round,

 

to ride the horses while you

sit in the seat next to the horse

looking up with pride at the stray

dog you so love, of course.

 

My lab holds the reins with one paw

and with the other reaches down

and pats me on the head

with affection for the love he has found.

 

Then he says, “Now, let’s go do the ferris wheel,”

and I have to think about that a time or two.

Thinking more safe and tame and pigs that squeal,

and tell my dog, “Let’s go to the petting zoo, Buddy Baloo.”

 

Buddy Baloo does his doggie purr,

wags his tail and flaps his ears;

the donkeys, sheep, goats and all the bunnies

move toward him forgetting all their fears.

 

I get with the plan and start to pet the animals,

but when Buddy sees me stroking the pets

he gets jealous and gives me a little shove

to tell me just remember who is your first love.

 

We head for home and I have a word or two

for him. I tell him I want to write a story of love,

one in which he is the star, so if he wants

such fame, when I put pen to paper,

don’t give my hand a shove.