King and Dog

I am the king of my back deck in the summer time,
I am the dog when it snows and shovel in the frigid winds.
 
I am the king when I get a tax refund,
I am the dog when I owe.
 
I am the king when I win an award,
I am the dog when I get a poor performance review.
 
I am the king when my  dental check-up shows no cavities,
I am the dog when I need a root canal.
 
I am the king when I find money on the street,
I am the dog when I lose my wallet.
 
I am the king when the house is running well,
I am the dog when the hot water heater breaks down.
 
I am the king when I marry or get in a new relationship.
I am the dog when I divorce or there is the heartbreak.
 
I am the king when my sports teams win a championship,
I am a dog when they lose the championship.
 
I am the king when I am healthy,
I am the dog when I end up in the emergency room.
 
I am the king when my stock portfolio is doing well,
I am the dog when the market crashes.
 
I am the king when I have freedom,
I am the dog when I have to go to court as a defendant.
 
Being king is great, 
being the dog is not the worst, 
for any day above ground is a good day.
         
Many  American dogs live like kings,
but in many countries,
they are animals, not pets –
and sometime even dinner.