When We Were Puppies
We’d play Ball in the Hall
where I’d throw down the corridor
and he’d run full blast
catch it on the bounce
claws skittering against hardwood
then slam into the closet
at the far end and trot
back proud and joyful
He bit me once but it was my fault
after a Sunday dinner of steak
and potatoes we were in the backyard
he was working a t-bone
freeing the last molecules of fat
I was looking for my pocketknife
then I saw it open and near his paw
I reached in— not wanting him to get cut
With barely a snarl
his canines broke the thin skin
on the back of my hand
it hurt — in every way
disbelief at the blood
anger following pain
but he didn’t hold a grudge
something I still envy
We played Ball in the Hall that very evening
my hand bandaged— his tongue loose and panting
the tennis ball soaked
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
Just wow! disbelief at the blood…I still envy — love these lines❤️
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Thank you very much! That part’s pretty much all true. At least it’s how I remember it.
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Oh, I love this, Bart.
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Thank you, Tre. I’m so glad. Give Jernee a good scritching from me.
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You’re most welcome, and I sure will.
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Love this! Is the picture of a Portuguese Water Dog? 😊
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Thanks! I was searching for pics of Cockapoos but, I agree, it does look like a Portuguese Water Dog.
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A wonderful circle you create and what’s a little blood loss between best friends? I enjoyed the speaker’s envy at what I’m guessing was the puppy’s ability to follow instinct. Much enjoyed.
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Thank you! I always like to “close the loop” on longer poems.
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“anger following pain
but he didn’t hold a grudge
something I still envy”
These lines made smile Bart, our puppies definitey lovely attitudes ..
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Indeed they do!
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Good job. I love the title. It’s a-dog-able!
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Ha! I can’t top that pun.
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When Ben-The-Dog was a pup we were sitting on the bench in the garden. He was wiggling about and got his paw stuck between the slats. I was, carefully, trying extricate him – he was young, in pain, not understanding, and bit me. I still have the scar on the heel of my left hand. And now, since Ben has gone, I like to see it.
We love them – they love us – and sometimes – love – bites.
https://theorkneynews.scot/2017/11/23/how-animals-dont-fuss/
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Too true.
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Wonderful poem..you nailed it !!
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Thank you!
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