his worried owner
and we three
a dog loyal
housemate
and two friends
swept up
and together now
by Milo’s sudden
exhaustion
stoic acceptance
of pain and
definitely
not feeling ok
bravely climbing
up onto his legs
when asked to
by his beloved
surrounded now
in the animal ER
by all of us
shivering under
a blanket
hands seeking
to comfort
and understand
and a parka
with familiar smells
Milo, Trish
cold tile floor,
blanket, parka
and Milo’s entourage