Naked Sam

A new look
  disrobed
shameless
nothing to hide.

A new past revealed
a Labrador bounding
a bird dog's stance
a puppy's gangly legs


He finds a new spice for life
not sweet and mild paprika
                                              but bold cayenne.
                                              A paw to the face
                                      
                                     Growling, pawing, barking
                                     scratching,           cuddling
                                                   disobeying

                                          The temperatures climb
                                           mosquitoes thrive
                                           perspiration inescapable
ceaseless

                                         Like a bear out of hibernation,
he leaves the coolness of the concrete porch
Striding across the yard,
patrolling for squirrels.

 Oh I did not know I would come home from the groomers,
                                                       with a different dog