I come home, and he hasn’t seen me in years. I left at 7:30 this morning. His love for me is communicated by the stench of his breath on my face, Followed by a damp example of warmth. I scolded him three and a half minutes prior. He holds me tight every night, and stays until the morning. I’ve been single for years. I cook a meal for three, Playing mind games with myself again. He makes up for the empty seat. I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. His grin dissipates my boulders on anxiety. He carries the weight of my loneness on his back. Poor dog.