49th Day

Today is the 49th Day since Cody died. I still expect him to be around the house sometimes. I still miss him of course. I really miss hugging him, and feeling his soft fur. I miss his "dog acknowledgement" when he would lower his ears, look slightly away, and "kiss the air". I miss all kinds of things about him. In another sense of things, he is essentially everywhere -- and always has been. That brings some comfort. I am just grateful to have been his friend and caregiver for so long. Here is a little poem.

"Repatriated"

Joe took Cody’s ashes in a floral tin box, back to the farm

in Makanda with the solemnity of a royal pallbearer.

Cody had come from and played hard on that land.

His cattle dog focus seemed to freeze time.

But as the wind picked up and swept his remains

into the air, back onto and into the ground of Makanda,

in Portland there were snow flurries.

Spring waited just a little longer.