She's Home

She’s Home 

Our young sick four-legged
companion, home at last 
after seven endless days,
not eating or drinking
on her own
now claiming her couch
once again—a tentative diagnosis
atypical Addison’s— 
can’t make cortisol, hormone 
for coping with stress
definitive test by late Friday
I recalled fireworks 
on the Fourth of July
and her quaking—first time
in three years.

Finally eating and drinking again,
no cure, only steroid regimen
we’re relieved by something 
to do     This may shave  
years or months
from her life
but offer well-being

I’ll take it     count blessings
be glad