“Be prepared. A dog is adorable and noble.
A dog is a true and loving friend. A dog
is also a hedonist.” 

― Mary Oliver, Dog Songs: Poems

He is just a dog, I tell myself as we walk out the door.
Don’t look at his eyes, and whatever you do
don’t reach out to stroke his ears.
Leave a treat for him on the floor, something for him to find,
as he sits by the slider and watches for the two of you to come home.
And later, don’t feel guilty when one of you looks at your watch and says . . .
we better get home to the dog.