A little Dog that wags his tail

And knows no other joy

Of such a little Dog am I

Reminded by a Boy

Who gambols all the living Day

Without an earthly cause

Because he is a little Boy

I honestly suppose -

The Cat that in the Corner dwells

Her martial Day forgot

The Mouse but a Tradition now

Of her desireless Lot

Another class remind me

Who neither please nor play

But not to make a “bit of noise”

Beseech each little Boy -

Reflection,

A puppy is codependent like a child dependent on whoever is caring for them, meaning they rely on your reaction whether negative or positive. They have no boundaries they do what it takes to get a reaction even if it means picking up a dead baby bird in their mouth so you will run after them, all in the name of fun. “Puppies just want to have fun” Like children they are all about making noise, playing, and pleasing. Now in the last stanza, the other “class” just want quiet so they can remain peacefully in their very regimen routine of life, “Who neither please nor play”. They are no longer codependent, no longer seeking attention from others, they have become content in their “desireless Lot”, not wanting more or less, like a buddha, just content, until a puppy steps in to disturb their meditation on death and they will, “Beseech each little Boy/ not to make a “bit of noise”

What this class doesn’t realize is this puppy or boy has actually rescued them with their antics to attract because those antics are actually life in full bloom. So keep playing and keep making noise!

Truth be told, I wrote this piece while Mr. Kittles, our cat, was still living. It was such a huge adjustment when we brought the puppy home, I do wonder now, if the noise and playing from the puppy contributed to his demise. So it made me rethink this reflection that maybe “the class” that doesn’t want a “bit of noise” is doing it to protect their lives, not the other way around where the noise is life giving.

If you are this far in the reading, hit reply to this email and let me know what you think?