Dog stares at stairs (poem, anecdote)

Watch as a dog stares down the stairs. See the doubt of animal foresight. Look at the creature look around. In a moment’s eye contact: see her plight.  “Carry me. It’d be so easy for you…” Look at her, consider what you’ve done, contemplate what to do. Sassy, Tashi, Duncan, and Freckles too. Remembering when I heard him fell. And that fear I felt with his whelping yell. His limping distressful approach to me, panting, drooling, void of all or any glee… And with that stored memory: watch as a dog stares down the stairs.