Two Dogs

The dogs sometime sleep together when it's cold, leaving empty the cushion closest to the glass door, icy there, lonely, separate.  Together, they huddle for collective warmth, or to face off to see if the original squatter will give up his post.  Perhaps it's fondness that brings them together, dog love, if dogs can love, pleasure in company, life companions. What does it say about the one second to the bed?

© Poem Fix http://www.poemfix.com 2012
Photo: Poem Fix

Reincarnation

Fermented wet sock smell emanates from
My dog's mouth
Playful
Jowls dripping thick viscous drool
Half smiling
Satisfied after dinner
Ready for
Throw the ball or
Catch me 'cause I have the bone or
Find the itchy place on my neck
Happy
Metronome tail
Later he will collapse in my room
Gift me with burned egg farts
Look at me like I've betrayed his soul
Beg me to figure out his
Past life
When he was my master

© Poem Fix http://www.poemfix.com 2012
Image: Poem Fix

When Good Old Dog Got Sick

I did not acknowledge when
Good old dog got sick.
He's just old, I told myself,
Like me.
It happens
You slow down.
But sometimes he wouldn't get up
Too painful.
I didn't want to accept that kind of truth
But hurt is hurt
So we saw the vet
Who gave a sad compassionate look and said
When it's time it's time
You'll know.
I took good old dog home and
Loved him,
Forced him to still go on walks with me
For my sake.
Our lives went on until
One day he became agitated and wouldn't move,
No food or drink.
My discomfort mattered more than his,
Beyond what was reasonable.
I kept him going,
Urged him to
Snap out of it,
But when it was time
I did know.
I took him to the vet and
Handed him over,
Guilty for taking it this far,
Selfish.
I gave him a final brave hug and
Kissed his head.
They removed his collar and presented it to me,
Morbid memento.
He was led down a long hallway where,
Before disappearing,
He turned and looked at me
One last time.
I couldn't read his tired gaze
But it fucked my soul
And I swallowed hard,
Ashamed,
And wondered if this is how it will be
When my time comes.

 © Poem Fix http://www.poemfix.com 2012
Photo: Elf

Dog Food

I forget to feed the dog
So he sits next to me,
Looking forlorn,
Throwing his eyes at me as if to say,
Don't forget about me.
His stomach tells him something is wrong,
But I've forgotten, busy with human things,
Not to be worried with a canine's appetite.
But to him, hungry, dependent,
This is all there is.
Eating, playing, sleeping.
He's never known physical love,
Forever absent from females and testicles.
If only life was that simple for everyone,
But for the hunger,
A gnawing, roiling, belly fierce.
I finally remember, apologize, and
Leap to fill his bowl with
Sorrow and envy.

© Poem Fix http://www.poemfix.com 2012
 Photo by Ohiopetwatch

Dumb Dogs

I'm told that the Border Collie is the smartest dog.
How do we know that and
How is it measured?
Because they are obedient and easy to train,
Or because other breeds are not?
I am jealous of Border Collies
Though I've never met one.
I suppose they are hard workers and protective,
Which is nice.
But I look down at my feet where my
Two Boxers
Are resting,
Waiting for me to rise so they can
Stand up,
Hoping I move toward the kitchen where
Yummy things wait.
They lead simple, uncluttered lives,
But I feel sorry for them
And I'm embarrassed,
Owning dumb dogs,
A master of imbeciles.
But they are my mentally challenged canines, and
I don't care how stupid they are,
My pooper butt face boys,
Perhaps smarter than I am.
At least we're similarly handsome,
Which must count for something.

© Poem Fix http://www.poemfix.com 2012
Photo by Poem Fix