he tracks children,
cadavers, lost Alzheimer’s patients
currency
methamphetamines, hashish,
crack,
escaped prisoners
into water, ravines, woods

he is German Shepherd
Belgian Malinois, Labrador
Doberman
Bloodhound to track
Jack the Ripper

loyal, he intercedes
for others
at risk to himself
shot in the face
stabbed
nearly drowned
“He’s like my son”

only to retreat
at shift’s end
to rest
at the foot of his
handler’s bed
“a member of the family”