You twist the key and are greeted by
Furry paws kneading into the denim of your jeans.

The squeaks of your rained-on shoe soles
Mingle among the tinkling of the ID tags dangling from his neck.

The neck you can barely see beneath layer after layer of his coat,
So overgrown and gnarled, but still woollier than any blanket.

How safe you feel, knowing that someone will always be so
Happy to see you, sure that you will be just as delighted.

Even when those paws against your blue jeans are damp
With the little yellow accident he has tramped across the floor.