i called what we had puppy love
unwavering adoration, unadulterated innocence
pure and simple and unconditional in its essence
with heart eyes, blushes, smiles so wide
butterflies in my stomach i took for a tail that wagged
and endless “i love you”s like proud barks
i did not realize that love was only on my side

Unconditional, loyal, like a dog at your feet
i would never bite the hand that fed me rich pedigree
but you weren’t even feeding me the real thing
in its place scraps of treats left behind by the last breed

with no love to spare and bones bare
I’ve grown too old  now for your fleeting care
not fun to play with anymore, not your shiniest toy,
too much work with no reward, I sparked no joy
so you kicked me out and drive to the store
to adopt a new pet as I sit at the back door
you lock me outside with no guide or reason why,
left me with false hope as my only light

so i wait again for you to open your home to me as i grow bored
wait to be fed even just the trash from your floors
pawing and barking, pleading to stay
promising I’d change if you’d look my way
to love you better this time around
to bite less no matter the hits you use to put me down

leaves fall as i sit by the door to no avail,
spring calls as I see another puppy gather your mail
the months go by as im forced to watch
before I decide I’ve had enough

so I pull myself away determined to walk out of your back lawn
only to find a fence keeping me stuck until the end of dawn
i think of digging under or jumping over, plot a way to escape and find new love
but you told the world I was rabid, wild,
A beast with danger in its eyes, untamed and reviled
described me with sharp canines and a killer instinct, when we both knew i couldn’t hurt an insect
You painted me with your cruel disdain
ensuring no one else would ease my pain should i ever get away