Rain beat down on the rooftop.
Sirens howled on the gusts outside.
I couldn’t get hold of anyone,
No matter how hard I tried.
A tree must have fallen on wires,
And maybe the phone lines, as well.
I couldn’t call for help, though I needed it.
It was dark in the house, and I fell.
But my loyal companions surrounded me.
They could sense there was something amiss.
Their huge, floppy tongues started to drown me
With their version of a loving kiss.
“Go away!” I shouted in annoyance.
“This is no time to be showing your love.”
Then they stopped and looked at me calmly,
And they gave my right arm a big shove.
Then I realized what my friends were doing.
They were trying to prod me on.
Over to the door they led me,
As if I was naught but their pawn.
I was skeptical at first, of course,
As I looked down the stairs into dark.
Could I make it down there on my own?
My oldest dog gave a short bark.
“Trust me,” he seemed to be saying.
“Trust us. We both understand.”
I leaned forward slowly and lingered,
Then I cupped his head in my hand.
I inched ever closer to safety.
The dogs surrounded on each side.
The pain coursed through every nerve
Until I wished I just would have died.
With their noses prodding me forward,
Their bodies pushing obstacles away,
I made it to the bottom of the stairs.
I was determined to live one more day.
Some people say dogs aren’t that smart.
Some say they cause nothing but strife.
But I know this is not true in the least.
My dogs helped me save my own life.
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