UNLIKELY FOURSOME

                        by Lorraine Marie Folse
                        First, there was Whiskers,
                        a gentle black and white.
                        Then there was Coobie,
                        a tiny tan haired sight.
                        Whiskers mothered Coobie
                        who grew in confidence,
                        with a bark as fierce
                        as any Weinerama,
                        if not as steeped in
                        classic melodrama.
                        When Trent was introduced
                        into the fam'ly scene
                        with his eerie yellow eyes
                        and solid black haired sheen,
                        he challenged Whisker's rights
                        initiating daily fights.
                        But Coobie would have none of that
                        from those silly cats.
                        He growled and barked and stood between
                        those silly stubborn cats.
                        I don't know who was more amazed
                        each time Trent crept away
                        from the clawing, scratching feline fray,
                        but back he came another day
                        again, again, to entertain
                        the "mother" cat, "adopted" pup,
                        and me, the human "coffee cup."
                                                Lorraine Folse

DOGS AND CATS

                              by Grandpa Tucker
                        My cat is really very cool.
                        It yawns when I come home from school,
                        Slowly comes so I can pet it,
                        Walks away like, "Oh! Forget it!"
                        My dog's the one that I adore.
                        It always meets me at the door.
                        With wagging tail it's waiting there.
                        A puppy is a smile with hair.
                                                Grandpa Tucker

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DOGS AND CATS

by Mary Sullivan

                        Submitted for the annals of
                        Purr-pet-u-al debate,
                        On careful observation the
                        Distinctions are innate.
                        Though doggies speak in fond bow-wows
                        While kitties meow and hiss,
                        We now know what they're thinking.
                        In a nutshell, it is this:
                        A dog will look around at all
                        The wonderful profusion
                        Of blessings in its happy life
                        And reach a firm conclusion.
                        [Dog thinks:]
                           "They pet me and they play with me.
                           They keep me clean and fed.
                           They let me share their nice warm home.
                           When all is done and said --
                           For some enchanted reason they
                           Chose me against all odds.
                           These people truly love me well.
                           Indeed, they must be gods!"
                        A cat who finds itself in an
                        Identical position,
                        Will take a line of reasoning
                        That's fraught with erudition.
                        [Cat thinks:]
                           "They're lovingly attentive, yes,
                           And punctual with feed.
                           They play with me and stroke me and
                           Provide for every need.
                           They gaze on me as if they'd like
                           To kiss the ground I've trod.
                           These people truly worship me.
                           Indeed, I must be God!"

Mary Sullivan

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