Ugly Squiz Dog

I don’t suppose anyone’s
being mean. It’s merely
a term of endearment.
They love him really.

‘Here Ugly Squiz Dog.
Here boy.’

They could call him ‘Ugly’
for short.

Or ‘Squiz.’

Or ‘Dog.’

‘Here Squiz.
Here boy.’

And here he comes,
hurtling along on his stumpy little legs,
tail wagging.

‘Yap! Yap! Yap!’

Look at his scrunched up
quizzical face.

So wrinkly!

No prize pup.
No pin-up.

‘Who’s an ugly little Squiz Dog, then?
Who’s a good boy?’

‘Yap! Yap! Yap!’

And over he goes,
legs in the air,
waiting for his belly rub.

Hey!