Afraid of Dogs - Oct 27 2022

 

Afraid of Dogs

Oct 27 2022

In the cramped waiting room

a succession of ailing pets

and their anxious humans;

birds in cages

and cats in crates,

a cavalcade of dogs.

Along with some exotic fish

and the odd listless reptile.

Whom their people insist

have real personalities

and show plenty of affection.

Even though

their faces are impassive

and they're mostly inert,

blinking lazily

with a fixed gaze

I find unnerving,

and only now and then

a slow sweep of the tail.

Not to mention

looking too prehistoric

to imagine relating.

And so many dogs, of course,

either straining at their leases

and wagging happy tails,

or quivering in their owner's arms

ears flat

anxiously scanning the room.

Is it true

that we begin to resemble our pets?

Elegant people

escorting fastidious cats.

Outgoing folk

pulled by goofy dogs.

And social-climbing snobs

flaunting

their pedigreed aristocrats.

Not to mention the oddballs

and characters

and sketchy individualists,

cradling geckos

slit-eyed snakes

and sleepy bearded lizards.

Who look like tough little pugilists

with their thick ruffled necks

and big pouty heads,

crouched on short crooked legs

and splayed-out feet.

My old girl

is a more sensible pet,

suitable

for a conventional human like me.

She also loves the vet,

and in this crowded room

is her usual excitable self,

pulling incessantly

on the unaccustomed leash,

licking the receptionist

with a bright-eyed affection

even she can't resist,

and greeting every visitor

with a froth of doggie slobber

and a cold wet nose.

She sniffs manically

at everything

especially the food;

as if smell had all the answers

to life's persistent questions.

While I'm an introvert

and warm up to people

slowly, if at all.

So we hardly resemble each other

conventional or not.

But obnoxious as she is, I'm proud of her,

and can only try to learn

from this good-hearted dog.

How to look forward to the vet

and make the best of it.

How to be more open

loving

non-judgmental.

Meanwhile, I apologized to all concerned.

The busy receptionist

whose smile seemed genuine.

The sour cat-lady

with her look of disgust.

And the tattooed girl

with the hard face

and coiled snake,

who was dressed in all black

and seemed afraid of dogs.