Dog days

He wakes me up every morning at 630 without fail, keeping me responsible and ensuring a headache (and necessitating an afternoon nap) if I stay out too late. This morning he was pushing a toy into my face, wagging his tail with excitement, reminding me that happiness is the excitement of a new day full of play.

We take a long walk, showing him off to my hood and pursuing morning coffee along the way. A woman asks, does he bite and I say, no, he kisses. Then he goes for her face. My dad calls him my best friend in Texas and it is true.