RIF's "I Love Animals" Writing Contest

Honorable Mention: 
Shannon K.
Age 12
Yorktown, IN

Correspondence With My Cat

Letter from the Cat-

My life is a decent one, there's not really much I'd rearrange,
But some of your behavior I would unquestionably change.
Below I enclose a list of my biggest complaints,
I hope when you read them you won't become alarmed and faint.

You forget to clean the kitty box, forget to give me food,
If your mother and I weren't so persistent, surely my life I would lose!
You rumple my coat and call me silly names,
Wave feathers on sticks in my eyes for dumb games.

I'm trying to sleep, to ignore all the stress,
But you won't leave me alone, won't let me get rest.
I know that I'm cute, I know that I'm sweet,
But that gives you no right to constantly scoop me off my feet!

You kiss my nose, you squeeze me too tight,
You don't understand when I want to play at night.
I can't sleep on your clothes, especially those that are black,
I become tired of hearing, "Get off, Max!"

You haul me off of my bed and rouse me from slumber,
I count the minutes of torture; I count every number!
And when you take me to the vet, oh! What a pity,
I expect you feel sorry for your poor little kitty!

I am always dragged into odd situations,
Into the center of attention and celebrations.
I was even forced to take part in your science fair project this year,
You played too much music that bothered my sensitive ears!

In conclusion, all that I will say is that
If you want an opinion on your behavior-ask me, the cat!

-Max

Letter to the Cat-

Upon receiving your letter, I must say I was surprised,
I was not aware you disliked hugs-I did not realize.
Below, I list my biggest complaints,
I assure you, when you read them, you will probably faint...

In response to your attack on the kitty litter,
Don't accuse me, don't be so bitter.
Please be more careful, learn to clean up your own mess,
Then we will hear of your crabbiness less.

There is a reason you can't sleep on the clothes:  I will wear them!
When I go out in public, people will ask me then:
"Why is there hair all over your dress?"
Then I have to explain, "It was my cat, none the less."

For the science fair, I thought you would be glad to give of your time,
Clearly I was wrong; all you did was whine!
So, if you want a true evaluation on how you act-
Ask me-I'll share each and every fact!

-Shannon

Letter from the Cat-

Perhaps I was wrong
You may have been right all along.
I know how you feel sometimes when we're alone in the dark,
When you smooth down my fur and I know I'm first in your heart.

-Max

Letter to the Cat-

Yes, I may have been right,
But I'm sorry for complaining that you keep me up at night.
You are exactly the cat that I always wanted, you are just so fine,
I will always be yours and you will always be mine.

Love,

Shannon

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