September 26, 2018

It's been about two months since we added a new member to Team R. Miss Hattie (aka #Hattiegirl) settled in quickly and made sure that her presence was felt. She bites, she barks, she paws at our arms and feet. She's chewed, she's eaten, she's cause laughter and worry. And I love her. Almost as much as I love you Baby.

Here's to all of the four-legged members of Team R. Forever will they be in our hearts.

Team R Roll Call

Perfect. In time, in place, in size and shape. 

Everything about you was just what was needed

Prior to you it was quiet

Possibly too much

Everyone who met you loved you

Rightfully so. You were wonderful

Filling a hole that wasn't empty yet

It was amazing to see you blossom

Only when you were a single did we really learn about your personality

Nothing prepared us for your leaving us

And we will never forget you

Hardly a sound when we met

Almost too small to be believed

Too long without a furry, fuzzy companion for us

Then you were spotted and it was instant

I knew that you would be ours with that first gasp

Each day has been an adventure, and I love it

Welcome to the team new girlie

Each member is unique and loved

Always know that we love you

Remember that we will always come back

Every time we go, you are with us

Three years between members was a long time

Even though it was good to be free, we missed it

Always looking, checking for the right time; right friend

Missing those who were no longer in the house

Rescuing you was amazing

April 30, 2019

Difficult

The hours that I spend at work, away from you

It's difficult

Away from the one that I love the most

It's difficult

When I have to stay late, even though the money is good

It's difficult

You go into the office early because of so much to do

It's difficult

No warm fuzzy head on the pillow by yours

It's difficult

Limited travel because of our calendars

It's difficult

Seeing you smile when I greet you at the door

Makes it worth it

Holding your hand as we walk down the street

Makes it worth it

A wink, a quick kiss, a pat on my butt

Makes it worth it

Having our goal defined and seeing it getting closer

Makes it worth it

March 21, 2019

For World Poetry Day I write these words. They are simple and off the top of my head. Enjoy them.

World Poetry Day 2019

Last night I laid in our bed alone

You were out of town on business

That I understood, as it is the time of year

But this was a different alone

I missed all of you girls

You, and Fiona, and Pepper

My girls were all gone

Even though you are all always with me

I set the timer for two hours

And the sound to a rhythmic tick-tock

I drifted off quickly and then snapped awake

And saw that it had only been a few minutes

There was too much room

My feet were free and unfettered

My shoulders not touching yours

No gentle breathing, from you or them, in my ears

I closed my eyes and pictured you

Your smile, your eyes

I pictured Pepper and her fuzzy ears

Fiona's white face by my face

That was what I needed and to sleep I fell

In my dreams you were there

With Our Girls

And I didn't miss you as much for the night

Love Beat Poem January 2019

Love is - many things. Complicated and easy. Filled with highs and lows and if anyone knows how to navigate and delegate and mediate - it's you. And me. We. It's simple to see that my love for you is all encompassing. People have all seen how I adore you. Admire you, would do anything. I live for and would die without you.

Love is - deceptively simple and a ton of work. Getting to know every tic and quirk. Each story and tale whether happy or sad, seeing each other glad or mad. Laughing, crying and talking for hours on end. Not wanting the conversation to end. Love is all of this.

Love is - never a drag, no time ever lags. It's wanting to see each naked no matter what sags. It's not letting the little things bother you, telling each other when you're feeling blue, and knowing that feeling is absolutely true. Consolations after bad dreams, silly jokes rolling eyes, plans and schemes.

Love is love is love. Corny but true. And I'll never, for all of my days, stop loving you.

Anniversary #10

Ten years of us, of love, of We

The best ten years of life for me

We’ve shared laughs and tears and pain

But rest assured that I’d go through it again

With you

I haven’t been the best that I could

And I haven’t always done what I should

You given me joy that I barely deserve

You’re the love of my life and that’s for sure

I love you

The best doggie mommy that our girls could have had

Losing them both made us immeasurably sad

But the memories of you with them makes me smile

And the pain of their loss is gone for a while

They love you

We’ve traveled the country and seen the sights

We’ve held hands in the desert and on Alaskan nights

Seen colors of leaves in the autumn Maine sun

And watched herds of animals on the run

Me and you

Ten more years, and then more and more

Together we’ll see what the world has in store

We are the best match and I give you my heart

Forever, together, and never apart

Team R

It's been a couple of weeks since we bid a fond and teary farewell to our beloved Fiona. She was such a good dog, like our other wonderful pooch Pepper (aka Pepperoni) that her loss is felt quite sharply. And it's not just that there's no little nose greeting us at the door when we get home. There are numerous things that aren't there any more. 

I Don't Miss What I Miss

Things I don’t have to worry about now that Team R is only two members:

Not having room at the foot of the bed

Not feeling a wet nose on my head

Chilly walks by the moonlight

Grunts and woofs in the middle of the night

Brushing teeth and the stinky breath

Trimming nails and feet that smell like death

A sore back from giving a bath

A smiling smirk as I pick up the trash

Spots of saliva on the chair arms

Adjusting the blinds so that there’s proper warmth

Appointments and pills on a peanut butter spoon

A sigh of annoyance as I walk into the room

But...now that Team R is only two members I miss

Sore knees from keeping my legs bent

Seeing the noses, asleep and bent

Talking and walking on our walks

Watching you dream and hearing you talk

Treats after cleaning your teeth in the morn

Watching you sleep as I would grind down the claws

Lifting you both in and out of the tub

The looks of innocence; the looks of love

Hearing your tongue as it ran along the chair

Making sure of the temperature of the air

Seeing the doctor's smile when they see you

Hearing your sigh whenever I’d near you

I’d give anything to have you both back, but you won’t ever leave us. Team R will always be

Pepper

and Fiona

and Mommy

and Me

October 8, 2015 - 0900

Hearing about another dog leaving the world and her people always makes me reflect on our sweet girl. I know that I've written thousands of words about Pepper, but that's how it goes. And most of them have been sad and that's how that goes as well.

This is one that came to me when I was in my car at work and a shadow crossed my vision. There was nothing there when I turned my head but it got me thinking.

Grey Ghost

When I feed our dog

Sometimes I hear two sets of feet

Clicking across the floor

In the kitchen

I know there's only one dog

But I also feel like she's there

Her stubby tail wagging

To and fro

When I'm watching TV

Or reading I see our dog

Sleeping and sometimes I

Glimpse her going up the stairs

I don't really but I think I do

Her wide hips switching

Left and right as she

Hops up each riser

When I'm laying in bed

With a book or device in hand

I think I feel her jump

Onto the bed by my feet

I know she's not there

She left us three years ago

But in my mind I see her

Hear her. And always miss her

September 4, 2013 - 1020

I've heard and read that if you're going to write, you should stick with what you know. It makes it easier and you'll be more prolific and happier with what you have put down. So, I started thinking about what I know, and what I like to write about.

Calliope, Erato, and Thalia

I didn't want to stick with just writing about my dogs

or my job or my family

But that's all that inspires me

These three things are my muses

I don't want to bore the readers with

how I think about my sweet dog not being with us any more

How sometimes I laugh about her and sometimes I cry

and she's been gone for over a year

I didn't want people to think that I was only the police

and that all I could tell them were stories about drunks

and fights, and blood and pain

But some days that's my job

I was not really willing to tell everybody how much I care

about my wife; how much she inspires me every day

To be a better man that I ever thought I could be

But it's the truth. She does

Zoomies and whippy tails and squeaky toys

Lights and sirens and radios

Smiles and warmth and love

This is what I love to write about

Memories Of Birthdays Past

This is again for Pepperoni. Today is her birthday, and it's very difficult for me to not think of her. So, I won't try.

Strong, Young...That's How You're Remembered

She would have been 14 today

And if her eyes were still bright

She would watch me

As I put on her birthday hat

She would have been 14 today

And if her nose were still sharp

She would smell the cake

That we'd buy for her

She would have been 14 today

And if her muscles were still strong

I would have taken a long walk with her

If she wanted to go

She would have been 14 today

And if there were no pain in her hips

We would have played

Like she was still a puppy

She would have been 14 today

If all of these things weren't true

And they weren't all in the past

She would have been 14 today

A Sonnet For My Baby

I have the best wife in the entire world. Despite what you may think about your spouse, none of them can hold a candle to mine. She makes me happy, she makes me think, she makes me feel safe and smart. We rarely "fight" and when there is a serious discussion, it isn't with loud voices.

This one is for you Baby. I love you. RAWR!

We two have been married about five years

The best five years of my life up to date

There’s been lots of laughter and a few tears

And for the next 50 I simply can’t wait

You make me so happy when I see you at night

There’s nothing more that I need to feel bliss

When something’s gone wrong you make it all right

And when I’m alone it’s you that I miss

A warm July morning Team R was made

He and She became We. The two became one

I hope I can show you for the rest of my days

A life of happiness, love and of fun

I love you Baby, and I always will

And of your kisses, I can’t get my fill