Janeen Werner-King

You stretch each morning , front paws reach , ask for a lift and cuddle . You give me your left paw to hold , then your right ; you turn round , stand on back legs — morning exercises to start your day .

You bring your leash , say , “ Time for our walk .” We connect with leash , looks , and love as you synchronize every step with mine . We walk together through aspens and willows , hike mountain trails , breathe in Douglas fir forests , wade in streams , and run on beaches . Free , you sniff , follow invisible trails — always returning , constant in your ebb and flow .

You make afternoon naps a habit , in a pile of fresh laundry or curled up behind my knees .

You bask in your bath , relish attention — pampered , you stand on the patio table , snack on liver treats while trimmed in summer sun .

You invite , bow before play , flip treats from nose to mouth , search through toys to find just the right one for tug or fetch . You sit , stay ; I hide and call ; you bound up stairs . Found , I am your reward — your tail waves , wiggles , quivers with delight .

You run for your supper , excited for the same food served every day .

I love your voice — wff , wff , arf , arf , yips and yaps announce arrivals unique to each person . At the window , rrroaw , rrroaw , warns strangers , “ I see you .” When coyotes howl , your growl grows – GRrrr , GRRrr , GRRRRr .

We gaze into the ocean dark sky ; your hip touches mine , reassuring . Saturn rises , swims closer to Jupiter , and in the south , two stars dance so close , they appear as one dog star . You turn , look into my eyes , and I see the universe we carry inside . news & views WINTER 2023 | 25