Kari's Lament

 
Where arc you now, my doggie, my love,
with your lustrous camel coat hide -
your flip-floppy ears, your amazing ridge
and your big brown liquidy eyes?
 
Chasing the rabbit on your delicate legs
half dragging your lumpy old middle?
Quick to run but slow to catch
With extra long breaks for a piddle.
 
On a tireless quest for a perfect nest
Or in a lonely solid-roofed corner?
You sleepy-eyed waggy-tailed greeter at night
Our homecoming’s now much  forlorner.
 
Have you gone to a heaven for vcggie freaks -
With carrots both peeled and washed too
You were anxiously patient for our leftover food
But worried by how long we could chew.
 
You happy rider, You sniffer of air­
You drinker of outside water -
You digger of holes, pretend ones and true
Were you saving for the life ever after?
 
You generous giver of friendship and love
We knew that wherever we’d roam
You’d be our protector against the black-coated world
And our unfailing leader back home.