Abby Nigro

Winter Legs

When I am walking you, I am not aware of myself. I like it that way. When we are on a walk or I am walking you or you are walking me I am aware of what is outside of myself. I first notice the chilled air, which makes my cheeks sting and nose run as you begin to run, I am closing the wooden door behind me as quickly as I can. I notice how your bladder must ache as you always have to go near the bushes on the right of the driveway first, peeing as quickly as you can. You pee a lot, you know. I watch how you stain your front right paw yellow and I wonder if the snow will wash it away even though I know it never will because it never does. I wonder if it hurts. I watch as your legs bend and reposition often, aching and shaking from years of use and medications. I feel bad for those legs.