A lady was strolling one day
when she noticed her mind
was five steps behind.
Like an errant dog,
he dithers and dawdles,
sipping from rain puddles
and snuffling at the grass.
She could forgive her old friend
his canine ways
if he neglects to fetch
her morning paper.
But when he forgets how
to snatch his own tail,
she can tell there’s a break
in a link on his chain.
A tad on the scruffy side
was always his way,
along with a penchant
for nibbling her lingerie.
But lately he wanders away,
losing himself for days,
under his doggie duvet.
He shuffles out occasionally
for a saucer of warm milk and a cuddle.
And not much else.
He feigns a fine fettle,
claims to be handy
with the toy puzzle,
but in his befuddle,
he scrambles the pieces like scrabble.
Soon the lady will find gumption
to call him by name.
But for now,
she just grabs ahold of his leash,
clasping his paw for steadiness …
until one day he meanders off without her.