Still a Puppy to Me

You used to run faster than the pickup truck. Chasing the rabbits and pushing your

luck. Now it takes a minute just to stand on your feet.

And you sleep by the fire to soak up the heat. Your eyes are

a little cloudy, your fur is turning white. But you still thump your tail

when I come home at night. Old friend, slow down. We don't have

to run. We can just sit here and watch the setting sun.

You've been the best part of the hardest years. Licked away the salt from a

thousand tears. 'Cause with your gray muzzle resting on my knee, you're still a