Happy by the Sea

I have a dog.
He stands watch while I build my boat.
Occasionally, he falls asleep on the job.
And sometimes he must run, kicking up sand
as he chases a gull or a smell on the wind.
He's a good dog.
Did I tell you his name?
I named him Happy because he is always laughing.
Today, he watches my every move while I paint my boat.
And I notice the funny white spot on the top of his head.
At night he lays close by the fire and sleeps.
But I don't think he is cold.
Happy just likes the fire at night.
In the early morning he runs along the shore
and dives into the shallow waves.
Just playing, not really hunting the offended crabs.
First one in the boat, Happy can't sit still

while we move out to sea.
Jumping from side to side,

he peers down into the water and laughs.
It's a small boat, and Happy almost flips it.
But then he settles and tries very hard to look dignified.
I turn us back some,

and we follow the shore all around the island.
And Happy decides that he wants to be a sailor.
But only when he's not riding shotgun in the old Chevy.
This afternoon he will sleep soundly.
But for now he's just happy and he laughs.

Jim

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