Absent Neighbours

Just as well it is winter
and miserably frigid, one
supposes. Puppies have to
become accustomed to all kinds
of weather, after all, and while
duty not yet calls them, we
take up the challenge 
as befits their human
companions since time
beyond memory to ease them
into the backyard ritual
of relieving themselves there,
not in the house. They shiver
in the cold as we do, their
tender little paws abused
by snow and ice, but our
gratitude at performance
and our loudly effusive praise
delights them and us, both.
Just as well, then, it's winter,
no neighbours out in their
backyards to hear our lunatic
whoops and yelps of
celebratory commendation.