DUSTY AND ZIGGY 

Dusty’s Perspective:

I’m Dusty the orange tabby kitty,

I’m healthy, happy, and in the mirror so pretty!

For a dog, Ziggy’s not a bad guy.

But when Sherrie’s not near, he’s likely to cry.

He’s missing a tooth, has a perpetual smirk.

Are his extra-tight curls a genetic quirk?

Wool like a lamb, but orange or light brown.

(He prefers “gold” and says “tan” is a putdown.)

He’s loving, lively, goofy and zany,

And I’d never accuse him of being brainy.

When he’s chilling and no longer yapping,

But comfortably settled, and dozing or napping,

Toward him with stealth I silently creep.

A sleek crouching tiger, I’m poised to leap!

Go for his jugular? Try a frontal attack?

Launch at the bullsye I see on his back?

I’m always game for a symbolic fight;

Good with left jabs and a roundhouse right.

I’m a mixed martial artist without equivalent,

When sparring, Zig’s tolerant and nonviolent.

I’m thankful he’s only a passive resistor—

He’d never be aggressive or harm little sister.

Ollie’s a neighborhood outside kitty

I see through my window. All charm. What a pity

we can’t socialize and engage in flirtation.

‘Cuz this might result in an altercation.

I’m creative, crafty, cute and near-perfect.

In my castle, I’m sovereign; events I direct.

I’m the queen who rules all. Are you duly impressed?

On top of all that, Sherrie loves me the best.

—Dusty  2020

 

Ziggy’s Perspective

I’m Ziggy the golden poodle pupper

My raisons d’etre are Sherrie and supper.

Dusty and I incompatible? No way.

See how well we banter and play?

She can leap higher—that I’ll concede.

And indeed she’s more agile. Light on her feet.

I may be her perpetual punching bag

But I love our bouts—see my stubby tail wag?

She attacks me in jest with her tiny clenched fist.

Though feline and canine, we still coexist.

I tolerate her harassment, easy to endure.

And when we curl up, I love her loud purr.

While Dusty is stuck in her ivory tower.

Sherrie takes me outside. That’s real power!

I get to spend hours in the back yard each day.

Chasing lizards and squirrels and every blue jay.

When out for a walk in our local park,

I’m always a good boy ‘cuz I never bark.

In the great outdoors I get to pee and poop

While Sherrie’s nearby, always ready to scoop.

Cats never heel, nor do they play fetch.

Dusty in harness would indeed be a stretch.

In her castle she is perennially stuck.

While we dogs seem to have freedom and luck.

Dusty may argue but deep in my core

I know that Sherrie loves me more.

—Ziggy  2020