When I arrive home from school
she’s there waiting, in the window.
She wags her tail joyfully.
Her long slobbery tongue licks me all over.
As I open the door to the backyard
Bella bolts out into the yard.
I grab a bouncy tennis ball
and throw it as far as I can.
She races across the yard
fetching the tennis ball
and bringing it back to me
covered in slob.
We go inside and I give Bella
a nice warm bath.
When she’s done
she shakes, sending water
everywhere like a sprinkler!
When it’s time for bed I kiss her head
and watch her drift off to sleep.
I go downstairs for a glass of milk to quench my thirst.
I end up finding Bella curled up into a little brown ball.
Always after a long stressful day at school I can look forward
to seeing Bella.
Mount Kisco, New York
