HOUSE-TRAINED

She was a gatherer of strays.
Man or beast
She did not discriminate.
Sadly.
She took them in,
tamed their wild ways,
calmed their restless natures,
taught them manners
And
removed unwanted hairs
from her pillow
without complaint.
She was devoted,
even in the face of
disappointment.
Stalwart & loyal
as they let their training slip
and their animal natures re-surface.
When they would wander
she would bring them home
from unfamililar doorways.
She would not admonish them.
It was enough that
she was displeased.
No need for leash or halter.
She was mistress.
They would, in time,
be house-trained
when promptly they
would find themselves
re-homed.