MY FIRST BEST FRIEND

Lance is what I called him
Though his name was Lancer
Black lab
As true to me as anyone I've known
We played together
Took naps
Bonded
I was 5 and 6 and 7 and 8
We'd hang out all day
Maybe watch some tv
Go for a couple walks
He wasn't as much into fetch as most labs
I was cool with that
Sometimes when I was dramatic
and decided it was time to hit the road and live as hobos
He was by my side
While I sat beneath the evergreen tree around the corner
He was there
When I eventually got hungry
He guided me home
He was my first best friend
Lance