Sadness

I found this picture on Facebook 

 Of three puppies at a shelter, looking sad. 

I’d not have noticed, really, 

 Now that I’m a cat person, 

But my friend turned 80 this year, 

And his elderly dog just died, 

So it resonated, somehow — 

 The sadness, and those huge paws…

 So many kinds of sadness in the world: 

No home, no one to love or be loved by, 

No wagging tail to greet you at the door, 

Each one an ache to echo larger losses: 

The ones we can’t bear to think about, 

Or feel… 

I’m doubly thankful for the cat 

Now sleeping on my lap.