She’s the biggest, strongest dog on the block.
People keep their distance until they know her.

She’s content to smell the the flowers,
To sit in the snow, or the grass, or the leaves.
Or on our 31st floor terrace,
Keeping an eye on her world.

We don’t move until she’s ready.
And she is as sweet as she is stubborn.

Children can climb on her;
Small dogs needn’t fear her.
A large one might get a bark or three
(with tail wagging).

When she senses danger she stops
And waits, and barks if indicated.

Indoors, she defers to her older sister.
20 pounds to her 98.

Samantha is our Ferdinand.
And my love dog.

April, 2018