she asked
what is the worst
that can happen?

listened to
the reply

then asked
what the hell
is wrong with you?

says he hates that dog
always barking at strangers
and forgetting friends
as soon as they stand up
or sit down or leave
and return five seconds later
says it still pees everywhere
inside the house sometimes
and has trouble remembering
all the commands it’s been taught
says he wishes it were more
like the other one, older
indifferent, just like a cat
he says all this as he calls
the dog “good boy” and
scratches its neck and back
as he clips on leashes
to take them all for a
walk around the block