For wet-nosed welcomes and four-pawed hugs, none br Can match the dog. Fur-bound coat, eyes so wide br And velvety melt our heart and, 'will' gone br We most willingly succumb. Keen to hide br Our love affair, we fake a careless style br And tone our voice to suit, but when tail wags br As if to break while greeting us, we smile, br Even when there's muddy floor, bedraggled br Dog just glances at us wistfully. More br Than that, a quiet whine, defined as br An apology is all we need. As for br Two-way trust it grows, and if by chance passed br Over for a newer canine pal, our br First love pines, two-way trust declines, then dies. br A dog's love is of moment and of now. br That's all the canine heart can feel applies. br Thus, well or sick, lonely or in pain, fairly br Constant, man's best friends let us know they care.