The pet stroller came urgently
in a pack from Amazon -
where else? I lugged the box
up three flights of stairs,
folded out the frame, fitted
three wheels, played like a kid
with the cute bike-tyre pump.
I pressed the wrappings
deep into the carton
and disposed of it.
Why our need? our Lift
(by Krupp!) had gone kaput.
Our post-op Lab was coming
back from hospital,
weak and stiff and Not
to go on stairs, up or down.
First we tried with Pink,
the younger Lab - do take
a ride. No way! she squirmed!
she could tell it was unsafe,
undignified, unLabrador.
What this in the instructions?
Do Not Use on Stairs. Shush,
while the Elevator stays Kaput,
we have no choice, down or up.
Bring home the dog - we’ll see.
He came, we sniffed the dead
elevator door and then the stair.
Here a strong human should bundle
the needy creature in his arms,
carrying him up three flights,
however slowly. We three stared,
none of us strong, and lifted
slow feet up one stair, two,
three...to the first landing.
That wasn’t too bad!
Take a breather, a few steps,
another breather. This is OK.
Along to the flat door, home.
Rest, everybody, while Pink
enjoys the overdue reunion.
So convalescence passes,
each day a little stronger.
So the elevator firm
slowly solves its problems.
Health returns together
in dog and elevator.
That leaves a smart virgin
pet-stroller. I wheel it over
to the apartment office.
They’d said in this emergency
they’d bear the cost. Park it
in a corner, I suggest, till
the next emergency, when
dogs and humans call:
we need that stroller now.
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