Ode to a dog

You who would kill a dog
Companion to the elderly
Protector of the strollered child
Guardian of an urban household
Defender should an intruder dare
Champion of a single woman
And solace of a single man
Running pal of autumn mornings
Warm comfort on a winter night
Playful dancer in spring sunrise
Happy swimmer cooling summer
heat
Accepting eyes in troubled times
Most guileless and truest of
friends
You who would kill
A dog
You who would kill
Love
Perhaps you, more than anyone,
Need a dog.