To my dog

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
my other ears that hear above the winds.
He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.

He has told me a thousand times over
that I am his reason for being;
by the way he rests against my leg;
by the way he thumps his tail at

my smallest smile;

by the way he shows his hurt 

when I leave without taking him.
(I think it makes him sick with worry 

when he is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.

Without him, I am only another man.
With him, I am all-powerful. 

He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With him, I know a secret comfort

 and a private peace.
He has brought me understanding 

where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection against
my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me ... 

whenever ... wherever ...
in case I need him.
And I expect I will -- as I always have ...

Gene Hill