Waiting

He waits every day patiently for

Steve to come home at his usual

3 o'clock hour, baseball cap in one

hand, a backpack on his shoulder,

the latest copy of sports illustrated

rolled up inside with the best quotes

of today's newest players,

He waits because he knows that

Steve has had a long day and that

he usually likes to be greeted at

the door, and he has to piss and

God doggit where is he?

He waits because he loves Steve

with every fiber within him and

every tuft of fur on his back

because Steve is his owner,

and dogs must be loyal, it's not

a conscious choice, it's in the

blood, it's a part of the job

description, it's more than that,

it's not unlike a vow,

But it's been a week now and

Steve isn't coming home, except

in an old vase, and even then his

beloved German Shepard won't

be able to recognize him, but he

keeps waiting at the door everyday

anyways, hoping.