Dogs and Cats A dog has the soul of a philosopher. -- Plato
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We've got other things to do, don't you agree? Oh! I do, and he's nothing but trouble, So, who for him would lose that ruble? But, you're' all scientists! you know the value of the neutron and that of a gene. Nature you know can be sweet or mean, how then, do you underestimate the value of him? He's part of nature. He was happy, and we've damaged his home. He's part of nature. He was happy, and we've chewed on him, right down to his bone. Now don't you see nature torn? She will repair and in doing so, for us she won't care, For fear of nature at least, give him a day, then you'll see our survival ensured, in a grand, grand way! -- Submitted by Abhishek Nayak from Bangalore, Karnataka, India e-mail: abhisheknayak@angelfire.com BLANCHE Dane Street's queen is on her throne She much prefers it on her own Unless of course you've come to rub Or brush, or coo, or offer grub Then Blanche unleashes all her charms And twirls and curls and so disarms Whoever's offering the goods That we forget her many moods: The early hisses swipes and scratches Head-butts, nips, white fur in patches Bunny-hopping down the stairs The spirit-cat of icy glares Regurgitations catch off guard And mediations can come hard But would we shed our cat of snow? Not for a million Heavens, no! -- Submitted by Kathleen Mortensen from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada e-mail: katkev78@canoemail.com For a thousand years it's just the same Cats have the wit and dogs have the game The dog goes for a bite and hits the door The cat meows and scurries down the floor A horrendous fight not for eyes to see The dog's on the ground the cat's in the tree The cat fakes peace and before you know The cat makes a jump and the dog's ready to go They both wind up with cuts and bruises But who's the winner Neither loses A tie it is a tie it must be So that is why this goes on for eternity -- Submitted by Maria from Peachtree City, Georgia e-mail: nutnbutmaria@yahoo.com MY OL' FRIEND I think I'll go inside now. Would you like to come? The winter's sun is setting low. Inside I'm brewing tea, Would you care for some? We will stoke the fire and press our flesh Against the flames' warm glow. There's no reason our talk should end, We'll ignore the season's early dusk For inside there is plenty left to do Before our beds do beckon us. Now at this moment, memories call With all their factors here. The weary way we favor our Muscled limbs from head to toe Gives pause to long past deeds undone And those we cherish most. Remember when with youthful step The rabbit could not us out run? We hunted him in spring's fresh breeze Through summer's endless heat, then We watched the birds in futile flight Avoiding winter's certain approach Heading for the southern light.  Well now, old friend, We hug before the fire. In the flames we see ourselves The way we used to be. Don't take me wrong, I love you still. I most certainly always will. You've been my best friend Through all these years, No need for it to end. Lick me now, my old dog, The way you always do When we celebrate good news With joyful celebration, Shaking all over with reckless abandon. Ahhh, enough of this, but it's been fun. It's time for your evening bowl. You must be hungry by now, We will eat our meal And rest our traveled bones And shun the evening's void To rise tomorrow morn The way we always have With truthful hearts and renewed strength That life is good to friends. -- Submitted by E.E.Biller from New Castle, PA e-mail: E.Biller@worldnet.att.net WHO IS SHE? Her eyes are like diamonds that are shiny and bright Her hair is so soft and black as the night Her legs are long and her body is slender When you hold her close she is warm and tender Hiding amongst the shadows so tall Looking much closer she's not there at all Always in trouble with her curious way She stays out all night and sleeps in all day Creeps into your room and sits up on your bed Gives gentle kisses on your nose and your head Always expects you to open the door There isn't a sound as she walks on the floor She will not come over when you call Walks straight past as if you're not there at all If you want to work she wants to play Doesn't care if you forget her birthday Is she your wife or is she your lover Is she a friend or is she your mother She is none of those things I can tell you that This beautiful creature is only the cat -- Submitted by Virginia Gronow from Australia e-mail: virginia@ausnetinfo.com.au DEAR DYING CAT  I saw your form, dear dying cat On a winter's night unsnowing Lying there across my path. I rushed from my car unknowing Of when you'd met with the fatal blow That left you lying still. Whether 'twas swift or painfully slow, Your dying took not your will For crouching beside you, I saw you respire And chose to pick you up. I desperately hoped you wouldn't expire As your head I did gently cup.  I searched for one who would surely miss Affections you must have shown, And I felt somehow I'd be remiss To let you die alone. So door to door I nearly ran, But nobody gave a care. Your eyes I frequently would scan To see the light still there. But then as I was cradling you, You breathed your final breath. I sensed your soul release. It flew, And I was holding death.  Oh, could you tell, dear dying cat, Before your soul did pass, I cared? I quietly grieved, and with that, I placed your corpse on the grass.  -- Submitted by Andrea Dietrich from Pleasant Grove, Utah e-mail: Pandie55@hotmail.com SO LUCKY He was standing on the corner, Cold and all alone. Shiverring from the weather, Then I thought I heard a moan. I walked a little closer, His confidence to win. If I hadn't known any better, I'd thought I saw him grin. Come here, let me see you. You will be just fine. Come walk along with me. I'll take you home to dine. We'll dry you up and clean you. And put you near the fire. I'll try to find your family. If that is your desire. What? You have none? You've been alone too long? Well, then I will just keep you here. And help you grow real strong. My, but you are beautiful. Your white hair glistens now. I am so glad I found you. Can you speak? "Bow Wow!" My white Samoyed. Faithful and true. A home you have found. I am just as lucky as you. -- Submitted by Floria Kelderhouse from New Lenox, Illinois e-mail: snnipp7@aol.com OLLY'S LICKS Like a cross between massage and warm sponge bath That a loving mother tenderly applies Along the calves, round knees and lower thighs. My legs are a lake you seem content to lap. I cannot ask what drives you to this task. Perhaps I taste of salt, or could it be (not some canine-tempting scent on me!) Rather, fond show of esteem in which I bask? My dear cat's tongue is rough and not so moist. At time she annoys when licking at my cheek. But you, my lovely pet, I do beseech . .. Bathe my arms; with wet anoint my feet! -- Submitted by Andrea Dietrich from Pleasant Grove, Utah e-mail: Pandie55@hotmail.com P*I*T*T*E*R PATTER C*R*I*T*T*E*R I see you've found your wings today... Maybe the kitchen floor is slippery, my little pitter patter critter. Maybe you'll end up doing the splits while crawling into the kittie litter; Maybe you will learn what it means when I say no and shake my finger so... My little pitter patter critter. -- Submitted by Michelle Sdrakas from Vancouver, B.C., Canada e-mail: michizz0@hotmail.com PETS Three lovely dogs we've got As for cats we have not, And now a new addition To keep with tradition. We had four dogs before But, sadly, they're no more ... Old age took them away, A loss still felt today. We don't replace a pet As each one that we get Is always a new friend That's faithful to the end. With love that never fails Every wag of their tails Shows us the way they feel ... There's nothing they conceal. So look after them well For who can really tell If your actions may compel God, to send you to Hell. -- Submitted by A V Fenton from Empangeni, South Africa e-mail: mwfenton@iafrica.com SCOUT Your eyes.... no surprise I drown in them, so liquid so smooth, they move me soothe me draw me in and out like breathing... My head rests on your chest and rises with the air. The hair tickles me and I laugh so loud, so long, so proud to have you... Your tongue carresses, messes up my hair but I don't care, don't mind the licks (so sick to ask my brother), just so long as you stay, lie where you lay and keep me warm... -- Submitted by Kyle Issleb from Chicago, IL e-mail: kheili@hotmail.com You came forward to me, and I took you in my arms, Your brown and sparkling eyes, told of wonderous charms. My heart began to pound enclosed in your embrace, The look of pure adoration showed clear upon your face. And in your eyes, a glow, I saw, of passions yet unleashed, Of devotion, and undying love, of wonders ne'er to cease. The electric of your touch ran straight into my heart To feel your body close to mine, never more we would part. Your breath, so hot against my skin, sent tingles down my spine, I know, together, we will be, until the end of time. For I am yours, from this day on, I commit myself to you, each passing day we will spend, finding treasures yet anew. I know you will protect me and keep me from all harm, Your devotion to me unsurpassed, With a love to keep me warm. For though your coat is shaggy, your nose wet all the time, The one thing that I know for sure, I love this dog of mine  -- Submitted by Ann Dawson from Sussex, UK e-mail: anngd@anngd.co.uk You may never have heard of the Guardian Hound, His strength or his undying care, You may never have heard of the sharp burs of hate, That try him, and tangle his hair. You may never have heard of the collar of doubt, That binds him with every stride, Or known of the loyalty given to friends By this most amazing canine. You may never hear tell of the Saga of Kris, His courageous and elegant mate, Or the way that she runs with him under the stars, To lick at the war-wounds of fate. If you've heard of the hound, well, then, give me a call, I'm trying to start a resistance, To all of the arrogant men who insist On debunking his very existence. I'm sure we could prove of him, us two together, If faithful in all that we say, People like knowing there's somebody up there Who still grasps the pleasures of play. -- Submitted by Becky Adams from Grand Ledge, MI e-mail: Salem667@aol.com I am an old hound dog, and a proud one a that I sit and I howl and I growl at the cat. It's not much of a job, but it can pass time So I sit in my corner and make silly rhymes I once was a hunter, a fast vicious one I was feared and revered and loved a ton But still, I can hunt now, so let's have a go. I know one more prey here that never will know. I tense all my muscles and crouch 'hind the tree Get ready for lift off... now 1, 2, 3! It's fun to watch the cat go flying out in the yard And don't worry, don't fret, he won't land that hard But his lesson he'll learn, and alert he will stay But you know what they say, every dog has his day Heh heh heh, yeah, I'm mean, yeah, I'm not nice But it gives that old Tom just a little spice. The people will scold me and tell me I'm bad But I still can think back and think of fun I've had Cause you see, though I'm old, and though I am tough The sight of a Fraidey Cat, is worth it enough -- Submitted by Amber Wolfe from Eagle River, Alaska e-mail: Jr_Iditarod@hotmail.com When my day is trying and troubles pile up I get consolation from my loving pup. She is always there, my companion, my friend showing me affection with no end. A blue film covers eyes that once were bright, that's okay, I'll be her sight. This unconditional love has the strength of steel as far as I'm concerned I got the best of the deal. On a cold winter night she keeps me warm and secure and when I think she gives so much, she keeps on giving more. I'd like to know if she's happy here with me, Oh if she could talk it would be the best company. My little furry friend is slowing down, she's growing old, as I hold her near my heart, there are memories untold. I feel that little heartbeat, as she licks my face I beam, how she relies on me, I'm the coffee she's the cream. There are friends and friends, yet not one has known me best, for my little furry friend has outdone all the rest. So I rest my case, I've bragged a lot I know, just want to tell you 'bout my dog and why I love her so. -- Submitted by Lucille DeMarco from Yonkers, New York e-mail: lolagam@gateway.net FRAIDY CAT You're such a little fraidy cat, Jumping at every little noise like that. You disappear from my side at a child's cry outside, Every little sound makes you want to run and hide. I wonder what kind of life you had, Before I saw you makes me sad. You find a dark corner and there you stay, Hoping the bad sounds will all go away. Let me hold you, dear little one, and stroke your fur, And hear your happy little purr. Allow me to give you a lot of love and affection, I promise, sweet cat, there will be no more rejection Trust me, Sweete Pie, it will be okay, I will make those bad sounds go away. In my arms you will always be safe, And no longer be a scared little waif. -- Submitted by Nora J. Dennis from Phoenix, Arizona e-mail: Kleiaa@aol.com A DOG'S MEMORIES The day they brought you home I remember so well, My life went from calm, quiet, to a living hell, The first day you slept while it was still daylight so bright, When it turned dark then you cried the whole damn night. I got up to see what all the fuss and crying was all about, But they closed the door and for some reason they kept me out, The days turned to months and you finally calmed down, It became more tolerable to have you around. Then one day while lying on the floor you started to crawl, You got a big kick out of pestering me and chasing me down the hall, Then to my amazement you stood up like I do when I beg, You walked from the couch and wobbled and fell on my leg It went steadily down hill from for me having you there, Like a flea you seemed to always be in my hair, I put up with you and stayed out of your way, But things changed suddenly that one memorable day You played a dirty trick on me and gave me a hug and said I love you, That is the one thing i never expected you would ever do, From that day on we were the very best of friends, I would look forward to each day together we would spend I watched you go off to school as you got on the bus, I didn't like you gone but I know that you must, But every day when you got home we ran and we played, Always with you no matter what I always stayed I remember the day you got so very sick and almost died, I wanted so bad to be there close by you side, I stuck by you no matter what happened the good and the bad, Through the happy times and even when things were very sad The years passed like a flash and one day I was old, One morning as I lay there by your bed I felt so cold, You ran to your dad and said come dad something is wrong, He came in and with a tear in his eye said he doesn't have long You held my head and cried as lay there dying, my head on your arm, Though I was dying I never felt so safe, loved and so warm, Then my eyes dimmed and I heard you sobbing and felt the tears fall, The last thing I remember is that little boy chasing me down the hall You don't know it, but I still look down on you after all these many years, And when someone mentions my name I see in your eyes a little tear, It is nice to know that you hold fond memories of us still, We loved each other and in our hearts we always will. -- Submitted by Dwight Millsap from Glenwood, Iowa e-mail: LDM@aol.com DEBBIE'S FRIENDS It's something few can understand another secret of the soul an ounce of love to "Man's Best Friend" can make a persons life seem whole Each day their lives are filled with joy as they jog among the trees she's there to lead them on their way their time to feel at ease They give their trust completely they ask for but a touch and when she needs some comfort they give her twice as much They do not judge the way you look or the status you command they know the greatness of their friend by the touch of her loving hand These two would give up anything for this lady they call friend never would they turn away together to the end -- Submitted by Jim Serviolo from San Diego, CA e-mail: jserviolo@hmc.cc MY CAT SMOKEY Basking in the glow of the golden globe that sits above the world, he enjoys each minute of this day, and allows himself to purr. He lays stretched out without a single solitary care, and only relies on what he knows, which is that his food and owner (his most prized possessions) will surely be there. For him, his gray fur and his emerald green eyes only make up a cat, and his life is so much simpler then mine. For all he has to do is lay and stare at the sky, and all he ever has to think about is me, myself, and I. -- Submitted by Andrea Green from Aurora, CO e-mail: b.s.b@netzero.net   OUR CAT AND OUR GUEST Sylvester sneaked behind the couch, and settled in an impish crouch; to catch my neighbor unaware, and nip an ankle, soft and bare. Now Agnus had a fear of cats, she counted them the same as rats; but this quaint fact I did not know, until Sylvester made it so. A nip is nothing new to me, at lunch time I get two or three; and if lunch comes a little late, I sometimes get from six to eight. Photo by Nick Sharrer    But nips were nothing Agnus knew, it's something flowers never do; and even pictures on her walls, were void of teeth, or claws, or paws. I thought my cat was rather shy, he'd run and hide when folks said "hi"; so why should I have spent the labor, to mention him to my new neighbor? At any rate, as she came in, Sylvester waited in the den; and did not make a peep or sound, to let us know he was around. "So glad you came," I just had said, when Agnus froze my mind with dread; her eyelids drew so gaping wide, the lashes wound around inside. Her face seemed carved from whitish marble, and from her throat there rose a warble; but this brief pose was soon enhanced, as prancing feet both kicked and danced. About this time I made a quester, and near her feet espied Sylvester; he stood aghast with whiskers quaking, his bristled fur about him shaking. A piercing scream was then too much, Sylvester could not cope with such; he circled twice around the room, which made my neighbor's hairdo bloom. Upon the couch she sprang with fright, my cat still fixed within her sight; then zoomed into the air with fear, and clasped onto my chandelier. Somehow we managed to survive, each one escaping still alive; and though my cat still sneaks some nips, when Agnus comes, he shuts his lips. -- Submitted by Timothy R. Oesch from Oak Ridge, TN e-mail: oeschplace@sprintmail.com
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