It’s not easy owning the world’s cutest dog.

Walt Disney Studios calls every day

begging to buy the rights

to her likeness.

They are close to meeting my price

but not yet.

It drives a wedge between

family members

and friends

and even strangers on the street,

knowing that their dog

is only second cutest

at best.

Perhaps the hardest part

is that the dog knows

just how cute she is.

She pauses at every pedestrian

and waits expectantly

as if they are a member of her fan club

and owe her treats and head pats.

She stops to watch every car

as if she expects it to pull over

and the driver to get out

and pet her.

It is a big responsibility,

documenting her adorableness

for posterity,

taking endless pictures and videos

because she’s always

doing something

sweet or funny.

It is difficult

not to give her

everything she wants,

to refrain from

showering her with bone bones

when she looks at us

with those pretty eyes

or bows in front of me

knowing that is my favorite trick.

Yes, it’s hard owning the world’s cutest dog.

But not as hard as living without a dog

at all

for five years.