I have looked everywhere for someone to teach me what you already know.

The pounding of your too-large-for-you paws on the stairs tells me joy is a serious business,

The bone, lovingly chewed and then dropped, without preamble, on my still-sleeping head says play won't wait one more second. 

Why bow to the tedium when running so hard you fall down laughing is an option.

And food? Each little morsel is the best you've ever had and the last you'll ever get. 

You don't even mind being cared for.

 We're supposed to mind a little bit. Didn't anyone tell you?

We're supposed to blush and demur and worry terribly about being an inconvenience. 

But you, you know you deserve it. That relishing yawn you give as your coat is brushed to a gloss,

You're just shamelessly absorbing compassion like sunshine and sending it right back.  

I have tried for years to expand my capacity for love.

A million strategies. 

Deep breathing is a winner, red wine a close second.

 But nothing quite so immediate as the trusting weight of a head on my knee,

 Velvet ears and a cold nose that have only ever asked me for one thing, presence.