how much is that puppy

as you fill
out the paperwork
to perhaps
take ownership
of a small dog
asleep
in the store
window
you realize that
it's easier
to get married
and have
a baby than it is
to adopt a cat
or a puppy.
there seems
to be something
wrong with
that.
the world is
upside down.
save the whales,
abort
the babies. not
saying
what is right,
or what is wrong.
to each
his own conscience
and God,
or non-god
whichever case
it may be, but
human life seems to
have decreased in
value over
time.