A Conversation with Ollie

A Conversation with Ollie

I’m not sure why we love them so.
They‘re members of our families.
We take them everywhere we go.
We overlook their hair and fleas.

I sat my old dog down today
to see if he could shed some light
and this is what he had to say.
He always tries to be polite.

“We’re not that different from you
except we choose to never lie.
When we commit, we’re always true.
We stay that way until we die.

We never over complicate
the world; we take it as it comes.
We’re happy just to sit and wait
for treats. (We don’t have any thumbs.)

But, since you want to have this talk
there are a few things you should know.
You need to take us for a walk;
it limits times you’ll say ‘Oh, no!”

And please, I beg, don’t dress us in
those doggie clothes with matching shoes.
We’re happier in our own skin.
Besides, those styles we’d never choose.

And, when you see us lick “down there?”
Enough! – the jokes have all been said.
It’s our nature. You should care?
We don’t make fun of you … in bed.”

With that, he laid down on the floor
and closed his eyes and went to sleep.
He wouldn't respond anymore.
My questions would just have to keep.

Amazed at all he’d let me see,
I said “Thanks” with a wide grin.
He mumbled a response to me:
“You could have scratched my ears and chin.”

An entry for the November round of "The PET NEWS CONTEST" 
Prompt: Tell us about a senior pet (dog, cat, bird, horse...any type of pet)
Line Limit: 40
Line Count: 36
Form: Quatrains