Destiny Welsh Springer Spaniels

December 21, 2009 - I was inspired by the dogs playing in the snow today, as well as by their recent behavior, to write this "poem." 

Dedicated to my four fine freckle-faced friends,
with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways:

 I love thee for the way thou makest elephant ears
when thou art caught doing something naughty.

I love thee for the way thou pretendest thou wast retrieving
when thou art discovered snatching socks from the laundry.

 I love thee for the way thou climbest into my lap uninvited.

 I love thee for the way thou growlest at the other dogs
to let them know my lap belongs to thee alone.

I love thee for not barking at my mother,
for remembering that she’s family
even if thou hast not seen her in months.

I love thee for being delighted to see me again
when I come back inside with the mail,
as if I’d been gone all week.

I love thee for how clean and soft thou feelest after a bath.

I love thee for thy patience
when thou hast been on the grooming table for an hour,
when one hour must feel like 7.

I love thee for thine enthusiasm at mealtime,
as if it’s the most exciting food thou hast ever tasted.

I love thee for the way thou racest to the back door
to bark at sparrows on the deck.

I love thee for the snow that covers thy head
when thou hast been diving into the snow drifts.

 I love thee for the way thou barkest
at the wooden reindeer in the field next door.

 I love thee for the rapt attention thou payest
when I read poetry to thee.

I love thee for thy tail that wag’st
half thy body when thou art happy.

And I love thee most because thou lovest me best.