Haven’t I admitted to more than one friend,
That I’m an idiot about these dogs?
Didn’t I miss my high school reunion
Because I wouldn’t leave my dogs?

I sleep with dogs. Notice: dogs.
Big husky Red, a soft wall at the small of my back...
Black-as-night Gabe at his pillow, curled into an O at my chest
And Dharma - the inscrutable, stoic yellow lab - at my feet.

Abby, the blue merle border collie, sleeps alone.
She will not be a part of any crowd, being chosen
By birthright to protect the whole herd - to guard us underlings
From all sin, harm, and danger, from passers-by in the night.