Knox made his debut

at the dog park and asked each

dog he met to dance.

Not one to waltz, he boogied

 and shimmied his time away.

                                                  JDG

Even though many

were impatiently waiting,

she took the time to

listen carefully and help

each person when their turn came.

                                                         JDG

All the other blooms

have surrendered their color,

but one bloom clings to

 its former glory. Still, each

is lovely in its own way.

                                               JDG

As the sky darkens

and the winds begin to blow,

Knox stops and looks up,

sees a soaring hawk and seems

to say, “Why all the ruckus?”

                                                       JDG

Sometimes it’s hard to

shake the blues, but a short walk

with a puppy who

discovers wonder in a

broken stick, a fallen leaf helps.

                                                     JDG

He saw the anger

in her eyes, but he did not

turn away. He stayed,

looked deeper, saw the sadness,

reached out, embraced all he saw.

                                                       JDG

Puppy training’s marked

by small gains and my training

 is too. Together

we’ll work, knowing the path may

 be long and the going tough.

                                                        JDG

It’s been a long time

since I did this much walking,

but it’s what keeps Knox

from devouring the couch

and me from losing my mind.

                                             JDG

Leaves, twigs, and deer scat,

moths, beetles, and passing cars –

Knox celebrates each

and every one of them with

full-bodied, tail-wagging joy.

                                                 JDG