I HAVE LEARNED
My animals have taught me to not see breeding, pedigrees, colors, physical or personality oddities. They expect to be accepted for who they are and ‘improvement’ can only be accomplished through love and encouragement.
They don’t assume or anticipate. They have no sense of elapsed time and they live for the moment. They respond to kindness and they immediately recognize a loving spirit. They react to how they are treated and always respond appropriately. They don’t judge and they forgive.
Their communication is natural and direct, without subterfuge or cunning, and every movement has meaning. They notice everything and live by their senses. They don’t rely on others opinions and they do nothing for the sake of appearances.
They respect their elders and would die for their young. They maintain a hierarchy for survival, not for prestige or arrogance. They are good to themselves. They own nothing, accumulate nothing, and are rich in their simplicity their needs are pure sustenance, and their love and loyalty are without restraint.
They do nothing to damage the Earth or threaten our environment.
As an imperfect human who respects their perfection, and that of all animals, I can only wonder if ‘dominion over the Earth’ was granted to the wrong species. And I consider it the supreme human arrogance to suggest that animals do not have souls. How can we flawed humans claim to be the only species created ’in His image," when by their very nature, they are surely closer to the Creator than we are?"
By Jim Willis
The Difference He Made
by Randy Poole
Amidst the morning mist of the swift returning tide
I set out on my daily run, my walkman on my side.
Lost within my private world apart from cares and woes
I ran along the moistened shore, the sand between my toes.
In the distance, I saw a boy, as busy as can be.
He was running, stooping, picking up, and tossing in the sea.
Just what he threw, I couldn't tell, I looked as I drew near.
It seemed to be a rock or shell - as I approached him I could hear:
"Back you go, where you belong. Your safe now hurry home.
Your family's waiting for you little starfish, hurry on!"
It seemed the evening tide had washed the starfish on the shore,
And the swift receding water left a thousand there or more.
And this self-appointed savior, was trying one-by-one
To toss them back into the sea, against the racing sun.
I saw his plight was hopeless, that most of them would die.
I called out from my private world, "Hey Kid, why even try?"
"Must be at least a thousand here, strewn along the beach,
And even if you had the time, most you'll never reach.
You really think it makes a difference, to waste your time this way?"
And then I paused and waited, just to hear what he would say.
He stooped and took another, and looked me in the eye.
"It makes a difference to this one sir, this starfish will not die!"
With that, he tossed the little life, back where there was hope.
He stooped to take another. I could tell this was no joke.
The words that he spoke to me cut like a surgeon's knife.
Where I saw only numbers, he saw only life.
He didn't see the multitude of starfish on the sand.
He only saw the little life he held there in his hand.
He didn't stop to argue, to prove that he was right.
He just kept tossing starfish in the sea with all his might.
So I too stooped, and I picked up, and I tossed into the sea,
And I thought, just what a difference, that this boy has made in me.
I'm only a cat
I'm only a cat,
and I stay in my place...
Up there on your chair,
on your bed or your face!
I'm only a cat,
and I don't finick much...
I'm happy with cream
and anchovies and such!
I'm only a cat,
and we'll get along fine...
As long as you know
I'm not yours... you're all mine!
Author Unknown
Lend Me a Kitten
I will lend to you for awhile a kitten, God said.For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you and, should his stay be brief You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return. But there are lessons taught below I want this kitten to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true.
And from the folk that crowds life's land I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take my kitten home again?
I fancied that I heard them say 'Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done'
For all the joys this kitten brings the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may. And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve,
Then in memory of him whom we loved, please help us while we grieve.
When our cherished kitten departs this world of strife,
Please send yet another needing soul for us to love all his life.
Author Unknown
Politically Correct
I'm not aloof. I am Hominoidally Unimpressed.
I don't shed. I develop Follicle Abdication.
I don't scratch. I cause temporary hemoglobin displacement.
I don't purr. I am aurally appreciative.
I am not indifferent. I am Dispassionately Neutral.
I'm not small. I am Corpus Compactus.
I am not fat. I have a Distended Cat Food Storage Facility.
I am not asleep. I am temporarily inert.
I don't chase mice. I am Rodent Defiant.
I am not fussy. I become a Fastidious Feline.
I am not hungry. I suffer from Craving Derangement Disorder.
I'm not fixed. I am Romantically Inaccessible.
Author Unknown
Dog vs Cat
A dog will talk to you with it's eyes
A Cat will only stare
A dog will defend your home at night
A Cat well they don't care
A Dog will obey your every command
A Cat won't even sit
A Dog will let you bath him
A Cat would have a fit
A Dog will eat most anything
A Cat can drive you mad
A Dog will pine when your away
A Cats not even sad
A Dog gets excited on your return
A Cat doesnt give a toss
So if the Dog is mans best friend
How come the Cats the BOSS.
by: Mike O'Brien
While he is Sleeping
I watch him as he is sleeping, so sweet, so peaceful. I wonder if he really knows just how much he means to me, and how many times he has saved me from the dark.
I watch him as he dreams, eyes flickering, hearing his cute little noises as he breathes. Does he dream of wild things and running through the woods? Does he dream of climbing trees and chasing birds?
I wonder if he dreams of something more, have I been to him, all he is to me?
By Jennifer Moore
The Life Of A Cat
Sleep.
Eat.
Sleep.
Play with string.
Sleep.
Eat.
Sleep.
Hunt a bug.
Sleep.
Eat.
Sleep.
Sleep.
Sleep.
(Previously published in Superior Poetry News, Spring 1999, vol 5, No.1; Short North Gazette, Aug.1999; Lightverse.com, Nov.2000)
Where do pets come from?
A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to "Where do pets come from?"
Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me every day. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me."
And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know that I love you even when you cannot see me.
Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself." And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam.
And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail.
And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."
And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."
And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him.
And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.
After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration.
Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well." And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is.
The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration."
And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being.
And Adam learned humility. And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved. And Dog was happy. And Cat didn't care one way or the other.
...Author Unknown
Cat for Beginners
A Phrase Book
Cat Phrase.... Means
Miaow.... Feed me.
Meeow.... Pet me.
Mrooww.... I love you.
Miioo-oo-oo.... I am in love and must meet my betrothed outside beneath the hedge Don't wait up.
Mrow .... I feel like making noise.
Rrrow-mawww.... Please, the time has come to tidy the litter box
Rrrow-miawww.... I have remedied the cat box untidiness by shoveling the contents as far out of the box as was practical.
Miaowmiaow.... Play with me
Miaowmioaw .... Have you noticed the shortage of available cat toys in this room?
Mioawmioaw.... Since I can find nothing better to play with, I shall see what happens when I
sharpen my claws on this handy piece of furniture
Raowwwww.... I think I shall now spend time licking the most private parts of my anatomy.
Mrowwwww.... I am now recalling, with sorrow, that some of my private parts did not return with me from that visit to the vet.
Roww-maww-roww.... I am so glad to see that you have returned home with both arms full of
groceries. I will now rub myself against your legs and attempt to trip you as you walk towards the kitchen.
Gakk-ak-ak.... My digestive passages seem to have formed a hairball. Wherever could this have come from? I shall leave it here upon the carpeting.
Mow.... Snuggling is a good idea.
Moww.... Shedding is pretty good too
Mowww! .... I was enjoying snuggling and shedding in the warm clean laundry until you removed me so unkindly.
Miaow! Miaow! .... I have discovered that, although one may be able to wedge his body through the gap behind the stove and into that little drawer filled with pots and pans, the reverse path is slightly more difficult to navigate.
Mraakk!.... Oh, small bird! Please come over here.
SsssRoww! .... I believe that I have found a baby rabbit or similar animal and I intend sit here
watching it with a view to catching and torturing it.
Mmmrowmmm.... It is certain that the best tasting fish is one you have caught yourself.
Mmmmmmm.... If I sit in the sunshine for another hour or so, I think I shall be satisfied.
Mreoaw.... Please ask room service to send up another can of tuna fish.
Mreeeow.... Do you serve catnip with that?
Mroow .... I have forced my body into a tiny space in order to look cute. How am I doing?
Miaooww! Mriaow!.... Since you are using the can opener, I am certain that you understand the
value of a well-fed and pampered cat.
Please continue.
Stray Cat's Prayer.....
Dear God, please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm so tired of running and sick with despair.
My body is aching and filled with such pain;
And dear God I pray, as I run in the rain
That someone will love me and give me a home,
A warm cozy bed, and food of my own.
My last owner left me alone in the yard...
I watched as they moved, and God that was hard.
So I waited a while, then went on my way
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now, God, I'm so tired and hungry and cold;
And I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks and hit me with straps
While I run the streets just looking for scraps!
I'm not really bad, God, please help if you can,
For I have become just a "Victim of Man!"
I'm wormy, dear God, and I'm ridden with fleas;
And all that I want is an Owner to please!
If you find one for me, God, I'll try to be good.
I won't scratch the carpet; I'll do as I should.
I'll love them, play with them, and try to obey.
I will be so grateful if they'll let me stay!
I don't think I'll make it too long on my own,
'Cause I'm getting weak and I'm so all alone.
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry,
'Cause I'm so afraid, God, that I'm gonna die.
I've got so much love and devotion to give
That I should be given a new chance to Live!
So dear God, please hear me, please answer my prayer,
And send me somebody who will REALLY care.
Ownership or Lovership?
If you still have doubts about the distinction between "ownership" and "lovership", here's a short quiz:
1.Do you save up your cute kitty stories to share with your co-workers?
2.Do you notice your friends' eyes glazing over when you're in the middle of recounting a fascinating (to you) description of your cat's latest antic?
3.Do you dip into your plastic to entertain your boss at a fancy restaurant, because he's allergic to cats and you're not about to bring him home?
4.Do you mortgage your home to entertain your boss at a fancy restaurant because kitty has clawed your silk Queen Anne settee to smithereens and threw up on the antique Persian rug and you can't remove the stains, and you're not about to bring him home?
5.Have you slipped into the habit of saying, "I'm owned by a cat", rather than the other way around?
6.When you come home from work, does your cat greet you at the door, and do you cuddle him and carry him around the house, communing and whisperins sweet nothings, before you greet your spouse?
7.When you only have a scant 1/4 cup of milk left for your breakfast cereal, do you give it to puss and settle for toasted 3-day old bread and an ancient orange in the bottom of your refrigerator?
8.Have you ever stayed home from work because a beloved feline friend has died, and you know your job performance would be worthless?
9.Given the choice, would you rather attend a cat show than the invitational premiere of the latest blockbuster movie?
10.Does you cat sleep between you and your spouse, and do you prefer it that way?
11.When your kitty brings home a dead mouse or tiny garden snake and drops it at your feet lovingly, do you praise her and say, "Good Kitty!", and make a really big deal about it, then wait until she's asleep to flush the miserable thing down the toilet?
12.Do you devote a full web site to your feline companion?
If you answered "yes" to all these questions, you have already lost your heart and soul to a four-legged, furry, infuriating but infatuating member of the feline species. You are truly imprinted as a cat lover and Heaven help you, my friend.
If you answered "yes" to 5-12 questions, you're on your way and there isn't much hope for you.
If you answered "yes to fewer than five, you might want to consider a python or a gerbil for a pet, but not both, PLEASE!
~By Franny Syufy 2004
QUALITY TIME
She held the cat upon her lap,
Talking softly, as she brushed,
Back and forth the bristles went,
The cat content and hushed.
She stroked the slender whiskers,
And scratched the little ears,
Then she rubbed the tiny chin,
And called the small cat, "Dear."
She talked and talked and shared her thoughts,
With the cat that sat and heard,
With eyelids drawn, the tabby yawned,
And stretched, meowed, and purred.
She told the cat about her dreams,
And about the things for which she wished,
She spoke about those folks she'd loved,
That now were gone and missed.
She laughed about what she used to do,
When she was young and full of sap,
She even hummed old, favorite tunes,
And tapped their beat upon its back.
The cat might shift position,
If a tear fell on its head,
But it would curl up more snuggly,
If two or more were shed.
Sometimes she didn't talk at all,
But just sat and hugged the cat,
Something warm and pleasant,
About a cat upon a lap.
Quiet breaths went in and out,
Too soft for one to hear,
At perfect peace - so heartening,
So safe - such faith - no fear.
Who gets more from quality time,
The lady or the cat?
I think their rewards are equal,
They're both so happy where they're at!
Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
Copyright February 2006
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