what about a cat

let's get a dog, she says,
as we walk
along the path
looking at other people's
dogs,
stopping to pet them
along the way.
but one that doesn't bark
to much, she says,
or shed
I say.
or is too needy, or grumpy,
or mean.
a nice dog,
I say.
yes. a nice dog she says.
one that doesn't eat
a lot
or bark at the tv, or when
the door bell rings.
not too big, not too small.
medium, I offer.
okay, she says. medium.
what about cats, I ask.