If Dogs save no
				   Yesterdays
				      and
				   expect no
				   Tomorrows,
		      then you were so wise to fill every
				     Today
			     with pats on the head,
			   a caress of that soft fur,
			  chasing behind the children,
				     close
			       but not too close,
			       soft, puppy Hugs,
			   watching "Bird TV" in the
			    warm light of afternoon,
				long puppy naps
			   on the cool, tiled floors
			      of our African home
				 that was your
				   Home too.
				  You who had
			 the silent grace to choose us
			   from that Cotonou corner,
			      had, too, the grace
		 to know when it was time for our two paths to
				    diverge.
			    But I whose days are all
			    Yesterdays and Tomorrows
			   still look for you on that
				 empty pillow,
			    wait for your soft paws,
			tangled in the mosquito netting,
				   the fuzzy
				     Thump
			    of your chin on my knee,
				wondering if now
			   we'll go for just one more
				     Walk.




			Rest in peace, Piñuela the Pup.