Down a country lane
past open fields,
and over a one-lane bridge,
we arrive at the Northampton
dog park.

Unlike its urban counterparts,
the space is open, vast —
a cartography of dirt-packed paths,
rocky outcroppings,
a gently flowing river.

Louie is first out of the car,
bounding toward the grass,
leash-less and free.

Ahead
three dogs play tag
weaving in and out
of newly leafed trees.

We humans
chat while ambling
the two mile trail.
Louie darts back,
checking on our progress.

Cresting a hill,
we spy him wading
into the frosty current,
intermittently swimming,
searching the clear cold stream
for darting fish.

Louie’s abandon,
his open welcome
is a model for the way
we should be
in the world.