what i'd talk to my dogs about if they could talk back

When I was in school I had this orchid named Simone that sat on the windowsill next to my bed, facing south. Every evening she caught the sunset, and every morning she drank in the dawn. When my roommates were gone, I'd talk to her. Sometimes I'd sing. I like to think it kept her alive for a very long time, but I have no way of proving it.  

If I could have a conversation with my dogs, I would ask them what they think about people. What makes gramma so lovable, what they remember about grampa, what changes they’ve noticed in all of us, whether or not I’m really acting different on my period. I want to know about their memories of the pandemic. I wonder what they think about Rex, the neighbor's lizard, who lives in the cul-de-sac. He sunbathes sometimes in the yard. I'd ask them about my haircut. Do they think I should grow it out?