Old dog, at fifteen 
your age is showing, 
salt and pepper snout 
and eyebrows, 
you feel vibrations 
but hear almost nothing. 
Getting up and down 
has become a struggle 
but your buddy, Legolas,
can get you running. 
You demand little 
but always show
excitement when I 
come into the yard
or open the door. 
You have loved four
little girls, all grown 
and moved to other
places, leaving us here. 
Old friend,  you’ve seen
me through rough winds.
I will help you through
the summer storms. 

KW  6/22/23