Dogs and Fannie Mae

It started with patches,

snoop around 

and a litter of mongrels

on a pleasant hill.

She got railroaded.

A huge St. Bernard

imparted a fear.

A cat or two,

Miss Prissy and Charmin,

came in and out

proudly.

A Dalmatian Princess,

two Llewellyn setters,

Mozart and Wagner

went with the 7 quickening 

of dog years.

Loyalty, the chase, a dog’s life.

More place names,

Raleigh and Waverly,

proud toy Yorkshires 

full of mischief.

My boy’s first dog, Lightening

that Lab lived up to his name,

came on Christmas morning

then went with the storm. 

Years rolled on, a beg and He’s gone.

The best of breed, a bloodhound

named Fannie Mae, saved us.

Flop ears and that nose,

Beach walks, boardwalks,

city, country, on search, and rescue,

the high schooler’s comfort, 

the howl, the spit…

That hound saved us.