The Kindness of Dogs

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They come to me with trusting eyes and doggy smiles, wig-wagging, accepting pats, nosing my pockets for treats that are always there. They are pure beings, whose emotions - love, joy, happiness, pain, sadness, grief - are written plain. They do not know deception, are confused by humans' changing moods, astonished by a sudden moment of cruelty, since their love, at least at first, holds no expectation of unkindness. I heard his yelp of pain, turned around and, from the way his hip hit the ground, I suspected a blow, perhaps a kick, from his person, who was "training" him with fear and intimidation. How many times can my heart break in a day, a week, a month, a year? It grows heavy with tears. For dogs, the moment is always Now; this minute's meal, or treat, or belly rub, or run on the beach - or hungry, frozen existence chained in the backyard - is all-there-is. Until the next time. The kindness of dogs is a religion I could believe in. I learn much from their unconditional acceptance, their lack of judgment for the humans of every type they pledge their hearts to. Their loyalty is limitless. May their humans grow to be the people their dogs deserve.

Black dogs, brown dogs, dogs
of all kinds - each doggy heart
wanting only love.


for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United.