I Watch and Worry

 I Watch and Worry

Today Rocky is sitting with a Great Dane

who is so skinny we wince at his bony rib cage,

and want Rocky to fast forward to Scooby”s

future self, when some loving new owner 

has succeeded in fattening this gorgeous dog.

Rocky is gifted at revealing the inner pooch,

at massaging a dog’s bony brow until the dog’s

pleasure at receiving this knowing touch has 

conquered all reserve, and more of this

human touch is the dog’s only desire.

Most days, Rocky’s skill in deploying treats

wins the poor, shut-down dog back into relationship

with the mistake-prone human family.  Secretly,

I long for Rocky to expand his own dog-rescue

operation until I’m sure every dog is safe—

but that’s too much for even so ardent a dog 

lover as Rocky.  And so I understand why he 

spends so much time encouraging us all 

to become members, to share videos 

with those we know who need a dog now— 

who might adopt this one.

—Sef, 1/13/ 2025

                                          —for more info, Search You Tube for “Sitting with Dogs”