I have a cute dog with a very large plot.
A mystery wrapped in a Chihuahua knot. 
Is it pain? Is it nerves? 
Is it something he ate?
Is it fire island drama at a quarter 8? 

He'd lick the air then lick a paw 
then give me looks that broke the law. 
One minute beach boy tail in the breeze. 
Next minute opera with the limping knee. 

I had videos, timelines, theories, charts. 
A pharmacy living in several parts. 
Gabapentin, Trazadone and Pepcid too.
I needed a vet and a therapist for me by two. 

Then came Spano from the AMC.
Let's find what this behavior means to me. 
Then came Lorie typing faster than light. 
Taking notes like a court reporter in flight. 

Awesome sauce when something goes right. 
Awesome sauce. After many long night.
For every tremble and pearl and pause. 
Thank heaven for the women with the awesome sauce.

Dr. Spano looked at Jake and understood. 
You're not bad little dog, but something's not good. 
She spoke in words, my brain could hold. 
Warm as a blanket. Clear as gold, she said. 

Could be belly, could be pain, could be the weather, guests or rain.
Could be a trigger, could be reflux, could be his left leg performing for us. 
Meanwhile, Lorie, Queen of the Keys, typed up a novel with professional ease. 
If not taking were a competitive sport, she'd win by noon and file the report. 

Then came Spano from the AMC. Let's find what this behavior means to me. 
Then came Lorie typing faster than light. Taking notes like a course reporter in flight.
Awesome sauce, when something goes right, awesome sauce, after many long nights.
For every tremble, whimper, lick, and pause. Thank heaven for the women with the awesome sauce.

And when the needle comes out, I know my role. I exit the room to protect my soul. 
Jake gets his shot. I sit next door pretending I'm brave on the office floor.
Call me dramatic. Call me tender. Call me a dog dad repeat offender. 
If Jake cries once, I turn to goo. A full grown man with a quaint crew. 

Then Rita's paintings found a wall. Bright little miracles blessing the hall. 
You didn't have to hang them there. But kindness has its own flair.
And Dr. Spano, warm and smart, has a suspiciously marriable heart. 
There are ifs, of course, a very long queue. But comedy needs a line or two. 

You both know how to talk to me, how to calm the dog parent catastrophe. 
You make me laugh. 
You help me breathe. 
You give my worry room to leave.

So, here's to Spano and Lori too.
The dream team duo in hospital blue. 
We're not there yet, but because of you...
Peace feels possible, maybe even true.
 
Awesome sauce. When something goes right.
Awesome sauce after many long nights.
For every pill where we plan, every cause...
Thank heaven for the women with the awesome sauce.

Jake is my gift, my small best friend, the little heartbeat I defend. 
And someday he will rest with ease. No licking, no trembling, no worried. 
Please, I raise a toast, maybe two or three, to the people who understood him and me.
With Rita's colors on the walls and Lori's favorite battle call.

Awesome sauce.
Awesome sauce.
You helped us find the awesome sauce.