One of them lunges at me in my sleep.
I awake with a startle.
The other presses her cold wet nose to my face.
I awake with a smile.
On my walks, one dog leaps into my stomach, taking me by surprise.
I feel the wind knocked out of me.
The other dog walks beside me, looking around at the birds, sniffing the crisp air.
I breathe in the air with her.
One dog sneaks around corners to pounce and bite at me.
I move about carefully, wondering when it will reappear.
The other dog lays in her usual spot, looking softly at me.
I always know where to find her.
At night one dog loudly bounds all around me, pulling at my hair. It demands attention.
I do not sleep.
The other dog gently snuggles in beside me, warming my side. She snores softly.
I doze off.
I have two dogs.
I’m not sure they get along.
One dog seems to fear the other.
It finds fault in her soft nature, her silly games seem only to frighten it.
I had two dogs, now I only have one.
She’s a good dog.
Angel Altamirano is a 32-year old Mexican American, working in software.