As unselfconscious as the autumn light,
a clumsy tumble bound of energy
with streaming ears and boulder paws aflight
atop a springing meadow…

Come to me,
oh tonic mongrel: be my everfriend.
Example me your optimistic view.
Remind me more than song, and recommend
I only nap deliberately, like you.

She looks at me with liquid chocolate eyes,
her coat a velvet gold, her nether bared
enough to show the scores of allergy
like ulcers running sore from exercise;
by tennis balls obsessed, by squeaktoys scared –
you know this creature is a fool for me.