King

King was so small at first he fit in my brother’s size fourteen shoes
I apologized for that for his shoes smelled like fish wrapped in old news
He was part Collie and German Shepard and he was an adorable little squirt
Who knew the runt of the litter would grow to step on your foot and really hurt

I am five feet ten and when he stood up his paws was on my shoulders
We should have called him Tigger because he pounced a lot when he grew older
Did I ever mention that I was afraid of dogs honest to God it’s true
When fully grown he weighted at least 180 pounds with a fondness for shoes

Well one day King got out of the back yard he dug a tunnel under the fence
Moms hiding in the powder room said go get your fathers dog as I winced
I hadn’t really interacted with him since I first held him in my two hands
Occasionally when no one else was around I dropped his food, lifted up my heels and ran

So he knew me, liked me and jumped me every time he got the chance
So I opened the door went outside trying not to pee in my pants
I called his name “Here King come here boy” he charged I though I would grow no older
For as I turned my back he jumped and was standing with paws on my shoulders

A sight you would never imagine you would see in your common neighborhood
Was me walking back around the house with King holding on to my shoulders on his back legs he stood
Walking fast through the house while mom was still in the powder room
I finally opened the back door shaking and King seemed to be laughing it couldn’t be too soon

Well dad never knew that King got out, but a month later he again rain away
I never saw king again because I told Mom beat me, kill me; but no way
I’m not gong after him whatever you decide to do; now or on any other day
Needless to say I helped put up flyers and dad offered an award but at night I did pray

Please Lord, I hope he’s happy wherever he’s at; but if you don’t mind please let him stay
Who said there’s no such thing as answered prayers for I never saw King again after that day

Author notes

I have to tell you to this very day I like dogs and I wish I could own one but I can not control the fear in my heart when they grow up and alas they all eventually do.