he’s gone (on a long walk)
but don’t worry –
any minute now
he will come running
pitter-patter of little paws
                around the corner
                down the street                
                into the house
                and into my arms
and i will say: welcome home puppy, baby, dog
i still have his tiny yellow shoes
and the water bowl
was gathering dust
but i’ve replaced it
for when he gets tired
(and he will get tired)
finding his way back home from
some kind of imaginary heaven
where lost dogs go