A birthday photo of a dog

says something about the owner

but little about the dog.

The owner loves either all of life

or only one small canine part of life.

Spends money because there is money to spend

or spends beyond budget and reason.

Invites a dozen friends to the party

or celebrates as a party of two.

Thanks the dog for heroic deeds

or spoils the dog for no reason at all.

Rescued an elderly dog from the shelter

or splurged on a purebred puppy.

Welcomes the dog into a large family

or makes a family of the dog.

The dog meantime knows this:

attention

soft couch

food

and doesn’t care to see the photo.