"he's old"

Hershel, the 14-year old golden retriever has
a hot-dog shaped tumor on his neck.
he also barks inappropriately,
and wants to play fetch with his red ball.
but we were told not to, because
he's old.

i don't know why, but i couldn't stop laughing
hysterically as he howled before his walk.

during his saunter, we met an old man who
started reminiscing about how he
"used to have a dog just like that"
but now the kids are all grown up.
he's all alone.

then i felt very sad,
and even sadder when Hershel's dark friendly eyes
looked at us as we locked the door behind us.
---
i think i am going to go home now.
"umm, you have smoothie all over your face"