A Casual Encounter

Strolling along a woodland trail
of a winter day encounters though
unexpected do occur and where
before you is a strange but somehow
familiar face, you struggle with
memory to place that nudge of
familiarity, finally conjuring up
the image of a small grey dog with
oddly spiked hair, narrow snout,
horned ears and wild eyes, with the
gentle name of Rachel. And you ask
at greeting before moving on, though 
somehow you know, as a slow smile 
is followed by the affirmation that
the little dog who uncannily resembled 
a werewolf but comported herself
like a romping, friendly puppy, so 
menacingly fierce in appearance that
people shrank back in fearful dismay
at her presence though loved by those 
who knew her and her sweet temperament, 
died four years ago, leaving a deeply sad
vacancy that time has not yet healed.