I think this poem speaks for itself. Dogs definitely are a higher and nobler life-form than humans -- which is why it's such a privilege to be able to have them as friends. We all remember different details. Merike remembers what a great goalie the Zeph was playing soccer. You couldn't get the ball past her. The following are the details I remember about her.

		One thing about the Zeph --
		but why pick just one?
		vertical take-off jumper, cow-barker, squirrel commander
		growly gruffian alert on some squashed passenger's lap
		to discipline, through closed car window, a small white elephant
		(provocative downtown lawn ornament inviting barked response)
		and yet at times: Zeph the Silent, sitting skillful shadow
		supervising hose and spade, or weed and transplant
		loyal watcher and aide, and instant sneeze-investigator to
		Merike, Zeph's once quick rescuer from drowning in a springtime pond
		(and rescuers must be kept in good health)

		One thing about the Zeph --
		well to digress, she loved cigars
		chew-sticks savoured on the back porch under a moonlit night
		filled with cricket sounds and strange exotic smells
		Zeph was the senior happymaker on SwallowHill
		wise owner of fields and ponds and water-bowls
		black sugar-nose with popcorn paws
		chaser, in younger years, of her dog-friend Mady
		and later still the boss, car-ride policer, and
		direction-decider for her younger large companion
		always as well our watcher (with her one good eye)
		later conferring the honour of carriage each night
		up stairs now grown too tall

		One thing about the Zeph --
		just a minute, remember the time
		she ran away without her collar
		our carelessness - past the invisible fence
		turning up three miles away on a doorstep where
		she stayed the night till daybreak phonecall
		brought us shaken but relieved
		(having driven countless blocks throughout the night)
		to find her waiting patiently, calmly expecting us,
		waiting to be chauffered home?

		One thing about the Zeph --
		OK, I'll say it,
		she loved people
		loved people indiscriminately
		her short tail: light-speed vibrator
		greeting each newcoming two-foot visitor with joy
		some might see it a sign of limited intelligence
		(this taste for humans so inferior to dogs)
		they're wrong -- nothing was limited about the Zeph
		rather it was her generosity of spirit
		forgiving our trespasses
		and late last week licking me
		all the way up from hand to shoulder

		four days later -- some
		spinal disease, they thought,
		adding, however, what we'd always known:
		her heart was great

Copyright © Rod Anderson 1997