When we met for the first time
He wasn’t in the best of moods
Can’t blame the fella, I would be too
If I’d been cooped up in a pet carrier
For most of the 1100 mile trip she took
To begin a new life with me
She was soon quick to gently hint
Not to waste the flavorful water
Whenever I opened a can of tuna fish
But he would turn up his nose at my offering
Stalk off with a superior-than-thou ‘tude
Then when he thought I wasn’t watching
He’d come back and lap up every last drop
She didn’t grumble nor mumble
When he insisted on sharing her bed
His favorite spot is right under her left arm
That slinky, lanky furred body couldn’t possibly
Weigh more than six pounds dripping wet
I’m amazed at how little room there’s left for her
Oh, he had his precious moments
The way he stole milk from our cups
Dipping and licking one paw at a time
The way he sprawled on the corner of the bed
Lazily watching us dress for work
Then chased after her, batting at her legs
As if commanding her to stay home with him
He insistently demanded his kitty treats from her
Often with loud meows if she’s slow
But he showed more than just a casual interest
In what I eat those days
He knew if he sat patiently enough
I’ll share some pieces of my meat with him
TWo years after moving in with me
His favorite places became more numerous
He’d taken to jumping on her computer desk
When he wanted her undivided attention
But he occassional would stalk close to mine
And accept short hand-to-cheek rubs from me
He still preferred to hang out on her lap
Or lay on the sofa above her head when she read
And he would wrap his paws around her neck
When she picked him up and hugged him
He was still very much a one woman cat
But I think he eventually also accepted me as a friend
Since he knew that I loved her too.
©L. Kupfer
all rights reserved
~ in memory of Smoky ~
~ who passed over the Rainbow Bridge in July of 2003 ~
