if stock photos are any indication,
 98% of us, 
 when we hear the word "loyal",
 think of dogs rather than people.

 and yet, we value loyalty
 in our friends, our family,
 and, if we're in business,
 our customers.

 loyalty means deciding
 that people are worth sticking with;
 a decision few people make
 as whimsy is more convenient,
 and novelty, more attractive.

 i believe in loyalty
 as a virtue we can practice
 that's also a type of gratitude;
 our returning, time and again,
 a tangible way of saying, 

 "thank you"