Dating as a Guide Dog Mom

The North East Corridor

Leaves Newark Penn.

I stand up,

Ready to make my way to the doors 

Just to find you adhered to the bottom of the train seat.

It’s not my fault you wiggled your way under there

Looking to catch a whiff 

Of whatever strand of bacteria could be lurking.

Several minutes later you are free

And a little haggard.

As we ran onto the platform,

Your harness only partially on your body

Giving me the big doe eyes that say 

“Momm I’m over this…”

So I shouldn’t have been surprised when five or so hours later,

You throw up on the floor of JP’s bedroom.

My dreaming fantasy melting

Like my pink fluffy socks

Into the chunky bile.

I spend the next thirty minutes cleaning it up

And the next six nights with my feet freezing 

Bare to the elements of his bedroom.

Sometimes I wish I could trade you 

for something less high maintenance

Or give you to one of the many obnoxious dog enthusiasts that stop me on the street.

"She's sooo cuuuute!!!!!!!”

"Here!!!! Take her!!!! I don't want her anymore!!!" 

But then I think about your lovely face

and I feel myself fall in love all over again

and again and again.

I will wash my socks later.

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Cover Photo by Suzy Hazelwood. Edited by Madison Case.