My Best Friend

He sits up; alert His head turns sideways, I swear with a grin He slowly performs an extended stretch A furrowed brow; my best friend It's a pattern of behaviors A Pavlovian routine I've come to know Its as if he's trying to prepare me For the extreme love he's about to show He leans into my leg He slings a string of slobber across my shoe I scratch him behind the ear And good lord, he almost comes unglued His tail wags wildly He sprints around and around He's here with his own special person And he thinks - I'm the one he's found As he begins to tire He lays right beneath my feet Occasionally he turns to look at me Hoping I'll provide an extra treat He's a mans best friend A human stress and anger vaccine He's not a therapist or a life coach His set of skills are canine unique As he prepares for the evening He performs an extended stretch for the night He curls up in a ball Everything in both our worlds is just right