I know nothing of the rules, rights, rituals
of this game. I only know that I love the names.

 The ring master calling, “next up, Maisie,
Oliver, Trekkie, Beauregard.”

How could you not love that flow of syllables,
especially when someone responds

“Which Maisie are you calling?” I’m
an anthropologist studying a near extinct

Amazonian tribe. I store these words, delight
in them, treasure also the names of breeds–

Visla, Weimaraner, Shilo Shepherd,
Australian Shepherd, dachshund. 

Even the Scottish terrier who slow walks the course
with fine distain for human expectations.