Entitled

Two small black dogs' presence
evokes nostalgia in perfect strangers
stopping to contemplate them briefly
before passing on and out of our lives
to exclaim over their twin likeness 
to one another and to the family pets
of their childhood. This constant
attention is most gratifying to our
spoiled little siblings -- at last reaping 
the praise and adoration they seem
convinced is their natural entitlement
excitedly turning to us as though to
express how under-appreciated they
are by us as they move off in the
high dudgeon of having been denied
the place in our lives they so fully
deserve. As though they are ever
denied their cravings, as though our
lives haven't been dedicated to their
ongoing leisure and pleasure at their
insistent bidding, impish ingrates.