Our little fella, with his prancing gait,
trots down the hall. His feet sounding
a slap, slap, slap on the carpet
he was chewing on a moment ago.

He looks up at me with all the cuteness
the universe could possibly bestow on him
with a brief and curious look – ears at attention!

I smile back at him, to thank him for his youthful joy.
Given to us with no expectation. And certainly,
no guile. Well, maybe just a whisper of canine chicanery
when it comes to treats. We have, as of yet,
not found the ability to fault him for this.