My dogs don’t know there’s a pandemic

Consequently they are fine, happy even,

With the way this year has progressed

If they notice anything at all,

It’s that their humans have more time

For pets and walks and long

Afternoons on the couch

In fact it seems the humans are even more

Prone to reach out than before

With that strange, downturned face

They sometimes wear

That seems to perk up just a bit

When the dogs roll over on their back

To give easier access to the soft

Part of their stomach

Or when they reach their paws

Out, stretching as wide and far

Apart as possible as if to

Touch some invisible talisman

Just out of their reach

That has the power to keep

This moment from ever ending

And when it inevitably does,

The humans still seem to derive

Some much needed joy from

The tiniest, discontented whine

I often think of how we don’t deserve them

These cuddly, fluffy descendants of wolves

Who we’ve somehow convinced

To let us become a part of their pack