Thanking a Hero

How can I thank you for saving our lives? Because of you my whole family survives My pups and I were surrounded by smoke As you rushed through the door, we heard you choke The flames you doused after pulling us out My gratitude I offer, snout to snout I see you have burn marks behind your cheek I, too, have scars on my black coat once sleek And as I gaze into your bright blue eyes I’ve seen you before, I now realize We’d been in front of the World Trade Center My owner and I watched as you entered A hero in every sense of the word Your safety for others always deferred And to think you’d risk your life once again When fire victims were not even human *For Joyce Johnson’s “Doggy Gratitude” contest