The first walk comes early
out the back door
just as the sun is coming up.
It is followed by breakfast
and a nap.
The second walk comes later, still early,
as the street awakens with
cats, dog walkers,
and neighbors beginning
the journey to work.
The third walk comes mid morning
sometimes against her will,
mostly for my benefit.
The fourth walk comes after lunch.
On a sunny day
she might lay down on the sidewalk
taking a sunbath.
The last walk comes after dinner
her tummy full we take
one more turn around the street
before returning to the house
and she puts herself to bed.
booksandbassets 
Aw, Lucy, all tuckered out! I love when you say the third walk is for you! My dog, a high-energy rescue but just turned nine, actually plants her paws now if I want to take an extra walk. The pandemic is exhausting—for our pooches.
Lucy turned 14 two weeks ago. None of our walks is fast or far.
Poor Lucy! She does like tired. 🙂 We were dog sitting this weekend. Marley is a large Golden Doodle. She loves walks but her people work a lot so she doesn’t get as many as she’d like. At our house, it’s two long walks a day, plus lots of chipmunk chasing in the backyard. Her people were surprised to here that she was sleeping through the night and late into the morning at our house. She gives them a 5 a.m. wake-up! I think we wore her out.
I would love to hear Lucy’s take on the walks, especially the one she takes for you. We all slow down as we age but there is still pleasure doing things we enjoy even at a slower pace. I like that Lucy puts herself to bed. My cats don’t decide to settle for the night until we do.
Such a sweet piece, accompanied by such a sweet photo!
I was going to say the same as arjeha, above. I’d love to see you re-work this but from Lucy’s voice. (That’s what I thought I was reading at first, until the third verse.) I’m sure you know her so well you could put your writing self in her head!
(BTW, have you ever read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle? One verse is told by the dog, and its great writing 🙂 I think.)
Love your poem about your dog walks! How old is Lucy? Our yellow lab just turned one and she gets two long walks a day, both led by my husband. Sometimes, I go on the after-dinner walk. I’ve been amazed by how having a dog, people seem friendlier and more willing to engage! I like the idea above about writing the poem in Lucy’s voice or POV. It would be a great companion piece to this one. Thanks!
Lucy turned 14 ten days ago.