Big Dog

A narrow set of stairs, open on one side,
Goes down into the basement by the washing machine.

When she was little she'd watch me do laundry.
She stood sideways on the stairs, where we were eye-to-eye.

She liked being up there - I'd pet her,
It was bonding, the age-old connection between dogs and people.

Now she's big, she's so big she doesn't fit -
Gravity tries to pull her off the side or to the bottom.

It's hilarious how she contorts herself, putting all paws together,
Dancing and stuttering - trying to be entirely on that one stair tread.

I have to go around, up, and hug her -
"Oh, aren't you something...”

Things are good now; she’s a great dog,
Yet I guess I miss those days too.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Thomas Avatar
September 20, 2023 at 9:54 AM
Mmm I love tomatoes and peppers! Love to grow them too but never replanted after an unusual freeze. I'm glad you're okay Doug :)
Thomas Avatar
December 2, 2020 at 6:23 PM
Just saying hi; hope you're well Doug :)
Vinson Avatar
September 20, 2023 at 9:49 AM
Hi FJ. : ) Very late reply here, but all is very well. Retired, living in Georgia, USA, growing lots of peppers and tomatoes.
Matt Avatar
April 5, 2019 at 4:00 AM
Reading this makes me miss my dog Maxi. Very fond memories of our quiet furry yet gentle friends. ~Phatt
Castro Avatar
November 17, 2018 at 9:34 AM
7 up
Fraser Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 11:51 PM
Doug this brings back memories of the times with my dog. Those funny little moments stay with you forever. Great write Doug. Blessings Carl
Rodd Avatar
January 4, 2018 at 5:12 PM
A great tribute to your furry friend!
Vinson Avatar
February 28, 2018 at 6:55 AM
Thank you, Gayle. She's positively "middle-aged" now. : P
Jain Avatar
September 30, 2017 at 11:42 PM
First of all thank you for inspiring my poem and Mono Rhyme. This poem is superb and is with full of literary devices. I thoroughly enjoyed your poem and could connect with certain emotions you put into them I am looking forward for more use from your side. thank you once again
Vinson Avatar
February 28, 2018 at 6:51 AM
Hi Sanket. Things are really cyclic for me; haven't been feeling the need to write lately. The tide will come in again, one day.
One Avatar
September 20, 2017 at 7:12 AM
Excellent write... Hope all is well with you Doug..
Vinson Avatar
February 28, 2018 at 6:48 AM
Silent One. : ) Thanks, man - and yes, all is well.
Shetley Avatar
September 11, 2017 at 11:36 AM
What a nice tribute to our pets. She sounds perfect.
Vinson Avatar
September 12, 2017 at 10:28 AM
Hi Thvia, I appreciate that. : )
Marie Avatar
August 19, 2017 at 7:07 AM
...popping by to say hello Doug:) I saw your reply to Connie below and wow...what a journey you have been on! No easy feat, I hope you are proud of yourself and enjoying summer. The writing will come; often when we forge a new path it takes a bit for the bones to settle, to feel peace where were at. You are a natural storyteller and I wish you sweet success and laughter every step of the way:)
Vinson Avatar
August 23, 2017 at 4:27 PM
Hi Lynn Marie. Thank you - and you're right, things come when they come. : )
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 12, 2017 at 4:35 PM
Awww...it is kind of like watching your little one grow larger. You miss them being small, yet you enjoy how they have grown as well. A very sweet poem Doug. You have not been posting lately. I hope you are well? : )
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 6, 2018 at 5:39 PM
I am glad to hear you are well. Congrats on losing that amount of weight. I too have lost weight this year. I look forward to reading something new when your muse gets inspired! Aloha, Connie : )
Vinson Avatar
August 14, 2017 at 8:45 AM
Hey Connie. : ) Yeah, just have not been feeling it, as far as writing. Well indeed, and getting better yet - gave up a good bit of my excessive ways and have lost about 50 lbs. On the excess: 45 years of it (since I was a teenager, anyway) started really catching up with this old boy. Ah well, quite a ride while it lasted.
Goff Avatar
June 14, 2017 at 9:11 AM
Thank you for kindness in Brian's blog...very much...a topic that will gain momentum in yrs to come...you're insight begs a coffee-house discussion! This poem...the reader easily feels a part of this fine prose, continue to cherish moments filled with love, Doug! ...jimmy (I'm 61 today!)
Vinson Avatar
June 14, 2017 at 1:53 PM
Ha! Good deal, Jimmy. Happy Birthday - and it's always good to read your comments on poems and blogs.
Buck Avatar
June 12, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Doug: I suppose 1/3 of folks love dogs, 1/3 love cats and 1/3 have allergies. :o)I'm one of the dog lovers. When my Sheltie died, I also swore off dogs. It's been about 15 yrs and I still have her dog tag on my key ring. She was a honey. Of course I have several dog rhymes as well. :o) Thanks for sharing this lovely piece with all of us on the soup. Keep them coming. oldbuck
Vinson Avatar
June 12, 2017 at 7:41 PM
Hey Old Buck. : ) Yes, I hear you - quite a few people either swear off having another dog, or go quite a while in-between...
Lindley Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 10:38 AM
You great verses , reminded me of how much I miss my beloved, Midnight.. After Midnight passed away I swore to never get another dog -for me- , and all these years I have kept that oath.. faving this one..
Vinson Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 3:44 PM
Thanks, Robert. And wow - that's heavy...
Johnson Avatar
May 6, 2017 at 3:24 PM
A very dear story.
Vinson Avatar
May 7, 2017 at 6:23 AM
Hi Curtis. Thank you.
Downing  Avatar
May 3, 2017 at 8:31 AM
Beautiful... Made my me smile :)
Vinson Avatar
May 5, 2017 at 10:20 AM
Hi Akkina. : ) Cheers!
Wolf Avatar
May 2, 2017 at 7:44 PM
This makes me miss my dog, Harley! It's quite a special relationship between a man and his dog!
Vinson Avatar
May 5, 2017 at 10:21 AM
So true, Budgie. Sometimes I think that the very disparate life spans are unfair. Yet if dogs lived a lot longer, then perhaps their departure would be truly unbearable.
Eruteya Avatar
April 26, 2017 at 3:52 PM
Hahahaha, the dog is so big now and you miss those days when it was little...
Vinson Avatar
April 27, 2017 at 4:18 PM
Hi Ogaga. : ) Yes, puppyhood is a good time.
Herlihy Avatar
April 24, 2017 at 2:53 PM
There is nothing like the bond between pets and humans. A charming poem. John
Vinson Avatar
April 25, 2017 at 12:13 PM
Right on, John. Thank you. : )
Manassian Avatar
April 23, 2017 at 6:58 AM
:) How sweet...memories last a lifetime. Doggies, like humans, are cute at every stage...if they are looked upon with eyes of love.
Vinson Avatar
April 23, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Cheers, Eileen. : ) I'm good as long as I don't see a vengeful puppy coming over the horizon.
Jain Avatar
April 20, 2017 at 5:43 AM
Very nice poem. Creativity in your verse is clearly seen. Good use of gravity!
Vinson Avatar
April 20, 2017 at 11:57 AM
Hi Sanket. Thank you. : )
Kendrick Avatar
April 19, 2017 at 3:25 PM
Ahhh!! Enjoyed reading your work..I remember when we had Black Lab mixed with a Border Collie(who was a great animal) and my husband would let him get in his lap from the start..One day I walked into the office and there was my husband sitting there with the big black dog hanging across his lap..LOL..Dogs are special..Thanks for dropping by..Sara
Vinson Avatar
April 19, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Big dogs as lap dogs are hilarious, Sara. : )
Melugin Avatar
April 18, 2017 at 8:29 AM
Doug, A great write about your best friend! I know the feeling is mutual, My best, chuck
Vinson Avatar
April 18, 2017 at 10:22 AM
Thanks, Chuck.
Onclaud Avatar
April 17, 2017 at 1:11 PM
hello, doug... got more?.. huggs
Vinson Avatar
April 18, 2017 at 7:35 AM
Ha! Hey Nette. : ) I have had some ideas. Yes, defiinitely more - just taking it easy.
Puddifoot Avatar
April 17, 2017 at 7:10 AM
i'm more of a cat person, myself...in fact one of my nicknames is catwoman lol
Vinson Avatar
April 17, 2017 at 11:15 AM
One of my nicknames is... Oh good grief, can't say such things here. Cheers, Charlotte - cats are good too. Have known many.
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