Life's Transients

Strolling through the woods
of our urban forest yesterday
our two mischievous puppies
ambling along, suddenly accosting
us albeit tentatively though
deliberately, a baby squirrel and not
the first time this has occurred.
Its delicate presence alarmingly
trusting while we feared for its
safety, holding back the puppies
curious and no doubt eager to
play. Nature has ill equipped
this little creature to survive.
Today, in the evening dusk of
our garden another vulnerable
creature, velvety-grey fur, tiny
paws and claws, just recently
left the nest as another potential
survival casualty; somehow injured.
Once more, the puppies gathered
and were restrained, then a softly
gloved hand tenderly scooped the
minuscule mouse to walk it to
the woods in the hope it might
endure somehow, and live.