Chosen

Summary

When it comes to our pets,
let’s be honest:
we chose them — they didn’t choose us.
No, we chose them, and when we did so,
we didn’t know whether they’d be affectionate or hostile,
loyal or rebellious, intelligent or . . .  thick-headed.
We didn’t know whether they’d respect our property
or be a malevolent force of utter destruction.
We didn’t know what they’d be like as they grew older,
how they’d react to a move,
whether they’d accept new family members.
We didn’t know if they’d get sick or how long they’d live..
We didn’t know any of these things – not completely at least —
but we chose them.