(for PJ and Dave and Scooby)

As we arrive, Scooby,
the head dood, leader of the pack,
the alpha golden doodle,
arrows right for us—
“People!” his wiggles seem to say—

though his dad has a firm hand
on the leash attached to the gyrating,
excited 6-year-old delighted by
company who’ve come to dine
with his people.

Two other doodles in the household
respectfully hibernate in their crates,
allowing Scooby to happily take
center stage, and who among us
wouldn’t want him to?

The big curly bundle of energy
proves an enthusiastic host,
making his rounds, licking guests’
chins, standing still for a massage,
oblivious to the conversation
zinging over his heads.

He’s here for the company,
this social animal, and we delight in
his doodly-doodleness before we
sit around the lovely table
relishing excellent homemade
sauce over pasta with wine,
visiting old friends and making
new ones.

After dinner, we humans feel
as content as the sweet dog
who drapes himself atop the sofa,
lowers his head to rest on his
his fluffy front paws, satiated,
like us, by food and fellowship,
settling in for a good snooze.

What’s not to love about this
moment, as we look out the long
windows, admiring the gentle
evening light goldening the meadow
across the street, and beyond it,
the unbridled ocean stretching
to a clear horizon at the end of
this gorgeous day?

•••

With thanks to PJ and Dave for dinner in their home—
as well as to the doodles Skooby, Shelly and CoCo—
and new friends Susan and Jan, for such a lovely evening.