You know how princes become frogs?
Our daughter became a dog.
In bed, this morning, side by side,
The huge black puppy in our life.
Petting her hunger for affection,
Licking our bedclothes like confection.
I think of our daughter far away
Spreading her wings to win her day.
Leaving behind her family to sing.
Leaving the dog to fetch and bring.
A dog can become a daughter,
And we can become her parents.
Though it cannot hug the same,
Nor have her eyes and smile,
Or make our birthdays shine.
But a dog can be sublime.
Barking her way into our hearts,
Barking away the pain of parting.
Originally published in Sanctuary Magazine