Richie

 Richie

Like a whisper of life, he came,

A companion pup without a name,

For the baby that bloomed inside of me,

Capturing hearts with his playful nature .

A few months old, so small, so sly,

With twinkling mischief in each eye.

Whimpers curled in midnight air,

Daylight brought his hungry stare,

Wagging and jumping out of excitement,

For treats so tempting.

He danced through clothes and chewed on shoes,

A rebel pup with no excuse.

He barked at strangers, proud and free,

Keeping us safe and guarded.

Time moved on, as my baby grew,

And Richie watched, with shining eyes.

He sniffed the window, fogged the glass,

Watching tiny fingers pass.

A tiny handshake and a pat,

Was all that delighted him most.

They spoke in tongues that they could construe,

A secret code, profound.

He’d wait for snacks at dawn and dusk,

Munching them at his favourite corner.

Interactions minimal, but a bond intense,

A silent friend, so calm, so hushed.

With every word we ever said,

He’d tilt his head, as if he read

Our hearts, our thoughts, our every fear-

A dog, but oh, so very dear.

He guarded us, each step, each sound,

Sniffed out danger all around.

Loyal still, despite neglect,

A love so pure, so blind.

On berry pickings through thunder’s roar,

He stood beside me, indelibly,

Making sure I was secure.

Cats would flee, and birds took flight,

His favorite chase from during daylight.

He learned each letter, sound, and song,

That my son screamed all aloud,

Howled along as I played along.

A world he built within our own,

Among the humans, yet alone.

When silence fell and we were gone,

He’d moan for us till we came home.

A longing so deep, a bond so true,

That only faithful hearts can do.

But one dusk hour, without a sound,

He vanished, nowhere to be found.

A mystery wrapped in twilight haze,

Still haunting all our nights and days.

I watched the gate, I called his name,

But no small shadow ever came.

Perhaps he sought a freer sky,

A final chase, a last goodbye.

Yet part of me still hopes to see

That wagging tail run back to me—

Richie, the pup, my baby’s friend,

Whose love and loyalty never end.