observing
the foster dog
trying to figure out
what she’s thinking
what she’s trying to do
with her nose on the blanket
why she growls at the cat
(is it antagonistic
or trying to get some four-legged creature
in this house
to play?)

i hope
she hears
when we say
“good dog!”
i hope
she understands
when we look at her with love
(i hope
it helps
when i point to where i’m going
so as to not startle her
or make her feel like she’s being cornered)

but mostly
i just want such good things
for this dog