Outside Waitrose Copyright © Rob Lock 2011

Everyone was standing around fussing this dog
who’d been tied to a bench and abandoned.
Mobile phones were being fingered
when an assistant came out and announced
the imminent arrival of the Lost Animal van.

A uniformed lady then removed immobilised Rover
in a firm but friendly way, assuring us all
that, in the event of his remaining unclaimed,
he would not be put down but found
a Good Home, with compatible people.

   So I tied myself to the bench.

The lady at Customer Enquiries later explained
that there wasn’t a van for lost blokes –
you had to have brown floppy ears, and I didn’t.
But that could change. Sometimes I wag,
and I often jump up, saying: 'Look at me! Like me! Please!'

   I think I might be doing it now.