when dogs run free

it was

normal to see stray dogs

back

in the day.

dogs

without collars

roaming the streets,

feral

cats in the woods,

or near

garbage bins.

it was before

we

took them

to dog schools and 

the beauty

parlor,

and gave them names

like girlfriend.

it was before

dogs were surrogate babies,

carried around

in baskets,

wearing

ribbons and bow,

and hats with

little sweaters

to keep their bellies

off the snow,

dogs and cats

ran free back then.