They Know

We had no need to consult the bible of 
doggy intelligence to infer that our sibling 
poodles rank high in that rating scale for
over the years they have given us ample 
demonstrations proving the level of their 
fine cerebral functioning. As for example 
their sensitivity to our sensibilities permitting 
us the fiction of feeling ourselves masters in 
our own home. Their feeling of protective 
obligation to we two humans whose failings
are all too evident to them is more than 
evidenced in their careful scrutiny of all 
who enter our home accompanied by a 
sharp chorus of barked instructions to stand 
back. Although we fail their expectations 
with our lack of care for them by expecting 
them to consume food fit for dogs they know 
better, holding out for the food we place on 
the table for ourselves depriving them the
opportunity to test its safety. The impression 
we fondly maintain that they are safe and 
secure in our hands has led to their concern 
over our well-being as they vet objects they
suspect of planning us harm and hasten to 
disarm them, leaving every zipper on any 
piece of clothing a ruin and thus unable to 
wreak pain upon us. Whatever would we do 
in the absence of their vigilant presence and
undoubted protection of we lesser creatures?