Junior

I burrow my hand into the thick fur on the back of your neck you relax and breathe a long sigh of relief we've come a long way since the days you let out a tiny growl when I tried to hug you and the days I cried exhausted from all your shenanigans when I picked you up as a puppy you had bite marks on your tiny head and I thought: "poor baby's been bullied must be the runt of the litter" only to see very soon you were the fiery one all along with the coolest star shape on your chest you were the toughest of them all now my hand will only find your plush elephant you let me have I won't smush your cheeks anymore or leave lipstick marks on your forehead I won't wake up to your howl at a rabbit or step in a puddle of drool and I will wake every morning still thinking it's time for your walk