As I pull into the driveway, you trot up alongside the car,
Always happy to see me, always a smile upon your face.
As soon as I open the door, you hop into my lap.
As I walk toward the house, you trot alongside me,
Every now and then biting at my ankles.
It's a struggle for your small legs to get up the steps.
Since nobody is home, I let you come inside.
I drop my stuff in the foyer and pick you up.
You drench my face in puppy kisses and I kiss you back.
I carry you into my room, all the while straightening your bandana.
I place you on my bed and turn on some music,
For I love the way you always cock your head to the side,
At the sounds coming from my stereo.
I turn off the stereo and turn the TV on,
But I must watch you because you steal my stuffed animals.
You jump, will fall down onto the floor, but I don't let you go under my bed.
I put you back on my bed and I lay on my bed too.
You walk up alongside me and lay upon my head.
I can feel the warmth of your small plump belly on my head.
I listen to your slow short breaths, so hypnotic.
The smell of your puppy breath floats to my nostrils.
It smells good and bad at the time. It's intoxicating.
The feel of your smooth soft fur against my forehead has such a velvetly feel.
As you sleep peacefully, looking so angelic, you begin to dream.
The twitching of your legs and slight whimpers are amusing to me.
Puppy dreams are adorable.
I can tell you are still young.
You make sucking noises, like a child sucking its thumb, as you sleep.
I press my finger slightly into your mouth.
You suck on it, my guess expecting milk.
But getting nothing in return, the sucking stops.
When I'm ready to leave, I bury you in pillows as you do yourself sometimes.
But sensing your human mother is leaving, as soon as I close the door, you awaken instantly.
I wait outside to see if you're going to bark.
You begin to whimper and then bark in your characteritic beagle bark you have not yet mastered.
Unable to get off the bed because it's too high, you try to bark louder.
Unable to withstand your calls I come back in.
I pick you up like a child and carry you to the kitchen.
You begin to yawn ending it with a whimper as you always do.
Then you proceed with you nap, resting your head on my shoulder.
I gently put you on the floor in front of your milk bowl.
I try to feed you regular puppy food, but you don't want it.
Still drinking milk only. I get an idea.
Instead of moistening your food with water, I try milk.
It works and for the first time you eat puppy food.
When you're finished I put your milk back in the fridge.
You decide you want to play now.
I squeeze your squeak toy and toss it to you.
You grab it and run around the living room with it.
Like a secret agent, you roll around and do
Backflips like I've never seen a dog do.
Amazing how you can do these things at six weeks old.
Back in my room we go.
I put you back on my bed and you fall fast asleep.
Only to dream puppy dreams.
But at four months old, you sleep forever.