Abandoned

A sharp elbow in my ribs, Listen,she hissed. The regular thumping on the back door Brought me wide awake. Stealing nervously to the passage window I squinted out. There bathed in the moonlit glow Stood a big Alsatian Coiled to launch yet another assault. Relieved I crept back to bed, He'll be gone in the morning. Morning saw me gingerly open the the back gate To see him stretched out Back firmly pressed against the door. Alert,he sprang up confident,not cowed, He,the visitor,making us feel at home. Never did he intrude, Only upon invitation would he enter the house. Sadly we knew his time with us would be short. He did stay but a few days. Had he been dropped off on the road Late at night,as happened in those parts? Master gone,relatives unwilling To hold on to the faithful old retainer? On walks he never strayed Throwing back a watchful eye To check we were not lagging. His was a soft mouth,never wolfish, Gently easing food from the feeding hand. On the day that he had to go, We were apprehensive. Ready for snarls or whimpers of resistance We heard neither. Once the trailer cage snapped open, With an almost philosophic lope He leapt lightly into the cage, Settling,head held high,paws outstretched. As the trailer swung out of the driveway, His image was branded upon my heart.