I hear the bark

“Awoo-wooo”

One door slams

There’s a jingle

The clunk of another door opening

Collar tags and keys mingle

The whole time he’s knowing

“Huuhhh-huuuhh” – he pants

As the door gives way here he comes

Lips flapping, teeth borne, a goofy smile worn

A golden giant, furry, all fours

Scuttles across the concrete floor

Those toenails scratch

Paws can’t keep up

As his head goes one way, his rear goes the other

He spins around, yellow fur flying

Exuberance embodied

Here he comes to me, then back to the desk

He sits to get a biscuit, a moment’s rest

Up again, crunch-crunch

Some more subtle scuttling

He finally comes with me

Sniffing

This is my dog getting out of day care

Covered in film

No energy or affection spared

We get in the car to go home

I look in the back seat

There’s my beloved pup

Sound asleep