cat and dog

people want
to believe that their dog
can talk, can dance,
can read.
they take photos
or videos
of their pets
wearing hats and gloves,
holding diplomas
in their paws.
a scarf around their neck.
they turn on music
to get them
to spin around.
they ask them to count
to ten
by barking, holding
up a wooden treat
to persuade them.
they roll over, they play
dead, they yodel
with their dog voices.
all the while, the cat
in the room
sits on the sill,
half asleep,
half watching, knowing
full well
that the food will
come without the charades.