Oh Zane-oh, you have such flappy soft ears
Which you flip and flop as required
You itch them with your twitchy paws
Like someone desperately leafing through the yellow pages for a plumber.
Oh Zane-oh, you stare at me like a corpse
One with a wiggly nose
Because that’s the only thing that moves
When you stare at me like a corpse.
Oh Zane-oh, I’m so proud of how you stop on the steps
Even though I’ve never explained why
It’s a shame you don’t stop at all the kerbs
Because you might end up killing a blind person.
Oh Zane-oh, you run with delight when you’re allowed
Always wanting to make new friends
They don’t always share your enthusiasm
Most probably because they don’t have to go to school every day, like you do.
Oh Zane-oh, you melt hearts and effect smiles
On all the faces, even the grumpy ones
It’s because your longing eyes and your flabby jowls
Make everyone long to squwoosh your muzzle.
On Zane-oh, thank you for keeping me company
For letting me pet and groom and tickle
I knew you were not mine forever — wishing has not come true.
I’ll never forget how you spin-round to go to bed
Or how you sneeze going down stairs
I hope you won’t forget me, as much as I, won’t forget you.
Ode to Zane was originally published in trenchantly on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.