My Favorite Animal Friend 

I'm sure most of you have had a pet at sometime in your life... or have an amusing anecdote about a neighbor's
animal, or possibly grandma's cat or Uncle Joe's dog, or maybe the chickens on grandpa's farm. And don't forget
those poems you have about unusual animals... dolphins? skunks? ...okay Australia, how about kangaroos, and wallabies (is that spelled right?) or koalas? What was the first animal YOUR child brought home?
Well, here's your chance to share that story.  This month we will accept rhyming poetry, non-rhyming poetry and
prose, if it is humorous.

As usual, remember that original works are copyrighted and you must ask the author before taking a copy.
If you like their work, e-mail the author; you'll find their e-mail address linked to their name.

What is a Cat?  What is a Dog?
This author of this first anecdote is unknown, but it was forwarded to me by Amy Black

What is a Cat?

1. Cats do what they want.
   2. They rarely listen to you.
   3. They are totally unpredictable.
   4. When you want to play, they want to be alone.
   5. When you want to be alone, they want to play.
   6. They expect you to cater to their every whim.
   7. They are moody.
   8. They leave hair everywhere
.
   CONCLUSION: They are tiny little women in fur coats.

   What is a dog?

   1. Dog's spend all day sprawled on the most comfortable piece of
   furniture in the house.
   2. They can hear a package of food opening half a block away, but can't
   hear you when you're in the same room.
   3. They can look dumb and loveable all at the same time.
   4. They growl when they are not happy.
   5. When you want to play, they want to play.
   6. When you want to be alone, they want to play.
   7. They leave their toys everywhere.
   8. They do disgusting things with their mouths and then try to give you
   a kiss.

 CONCLUSION: They are tiny little men in fur coats!

My Favorite Animal Friend

Taurus was our very first puppy dog,
A loyal and faithful pet.
Mixed Collie and Shepherd with a long hair tail.
I can see him wagging it yet.
.
Brigette was our German Shepherd dog
She chanced by our house as a stray.
She grew very feeble, and from the house
One night she wandered away.

An Australian Shepherd we named Oatmeal
We were fortunate next to find.
Whenever she wagged her stump of a tail,
It shook her little behind.

Misty, a coal black Labrador
And Dusty, a mixed Lab, too.
Two of the sweetest tempered dogs
Of all the dogs we knew.
.........
All of our friends succumbed to time.
Three we had put to sleep.
And each time that we lost a friend,
I'll admit I had to weep.

Some forty six years was the span of time
We were not without a pet
Two years have passed since the last one left,
But we've not found another one yet.
--

The Flirtatious Lady

Could it be her eyes
Obliging her gaze
Or how she wiggles
Excitedly when she plays

Could it be her nose
Rubs neath his chin
Stroking her daily
He gives her a grin

A lucky lady is she
Awaiting by his bed
She does no chores
Though loved and fed

I am not competing
How did this occur
This teasing mistress
With four legs and fur

This was lighthearted.
Jealous I’ll never be
The flirtatious lady
The dog in the family

In Black and White

I'd put him on harness and leash,
Soon I'd hear some car wheels screech.
To see a girl with a skunk in tow,
Was kind'a cute, you gott'a know.

But "cute" was not my daily chore,
His routine care became a bore.
That skunk's nasty disposition,
Was really an imposition!

So before work early one day,
We drove to a zoo, far away.
The keeper gladly took him in,
With those who looked like kith and kin.

I hope you don't think that was mean,
It wore me out to keep him clean.
I won't accept a pet like that,
As long as lives a regal cat!

“PUDDY TAT”

Bambi, the deer, was his friend,
And gave him the name of “Flower”.
I don’t know how this friendship came
For his smell had so much “power”.

I don’t know how he could have been so cute
For you could say he really stunk.
Do you reckon that’s why his true name
Is something we call “skunk”?

       Also By L. B. Strawn.....

Flower Limerick

There once was a skunk named flower,
But his smell had so much power.
His face was real cute,
But I couldn’t give a hoot,
Unless he would just take a shower.

And, another limerick

The skunk said, I think".
The man said, "You stink".
He took a big whiff
And ran to the cliff
And dived right over the brink.

The Opinionated Pup

We wanted him snuggled up tight on Pards lap,
The Airline said" He'll get better care in the back".
So ole Pard says, "okay, lets all ride back there".
Course the folks said, "No! You've paid up your fare!"

So a ticket was bought for poor pup in the back,
But in Salt Lake My Pard, he gave them some flack.
"Well, where is my pup? Was he moved to this plane?"
The girl did not know, as we're taxiing the lane.

Well Pard he states, "we'll just not go up!"
"No not without, our poor little pup!"
"We'll ask the Port, where it is that he's at".
Says the lady to us, As a hundred folks sat.

So on the runway; thirty minutes had gone by,
When here comes our pup, all alone with this guy.
Our companions said, "Is this why we can't fly?"
For sure ole Pard thought, on the rack he would die.

In Phoenix a little old plane we got on,
Pup placed in the back, we're off and we're gone.
The flight it was bumpy; I gave a scared laugh,
Pup heard and started bawling like a wee little calf.

We get us to Yuma, and out of that plane,
Pup pretty mad, cause this ride's been his bane.
Pard took him right out of his crate there to see,
Pup lifts up his leg, and Pard say's" I Agree!"

 OLE TOM

        I  was a child, maybe seven or eight,
        And taught him to play hide and seek.
        Behind the trunk he would hide and wait;
        When I'd find him he'd pounce in a streak.

I would be on my hands and my knees,
Knowing full well where he was,
So, finding him was really a breeze;
But, playing with TOM was a worthy cause.

        Long after TOM had become full grown
        A preacher moved to our neighborhood.
        To the people seeds of kindness were sown,
        But, what he taught OLE TOM wasn't good.

While at our house, he would tease OLE TOM
Till he drove that feline stark raving mad.
This wasn't very pleasing to my mom,
Nor to me, even though just a tender lad.

        We lived with the country side spread all around
        Where weekly washings were hung on a line.
        A long pole kept the clothes off the ground,
        To dry in the breeze and in the sunshine.

When there wasn't any clothing on the line
We'd still keep it propped up high,
Or, it might, someone's neck, mis-align
And cause their untimely death to draw nigh.

        OLE TOM must have had an inordinate desire
        To get even with that preacher man.
        So, to quench that blazing fire,
        When he saw him coming, up that pole he ran.

The man must have had his head in a cloud
And thinking what he would say to mom;
When all of a sudden he yelled out loud,
(Since he couldn't cuss) "Dad burn you, TOM".

        'Cause TOM had landed astraddle of his neck
        And was clawing both sides with all four paws.
        He made of that preacher a total wreck----
        Which I also deemed a worthy cause.

Feline's Friend

Kids or Animals

She said, "It's kids or animals",
She'd not have both, moreover,
Since she already had five kids,
It was too late to start over!

On day our cousin brought a fish,
From a carnival, he had won,
In a bowl on Mommy's sewing machine,
It swam, it was great fun.

Till it decided to do tricks,
Like a dolphin, it did jump,
Right into mother's sewing machine,
It landed with a thump.

A dried up fish inside the works,
Is not a sight to see,
So we were back to "no more pets"
Just my brother, sisters and me.

His Favorite Loves

She runs along to greet him
When he walks in at night
Her flirty little  wiggling
Just warms his heart on sight

My spouse he as two loves
He still says he loves me
The other love  just as loyal
So no cause for my jealousy

She gains lots of his attention
Also shares with him his life
He calls her his princess
Calls me his “trouble and strife

She gives him no trouble at all
Two loves of my dear spouse
I am the domestic goddess
The other runs round the house

Here’s a poem of a lucky guy
No jealousy comes from me
The other love is his little dog
She’s a sweetie and I agree

Grandma's Best Friend

The days are long, but years are short,
With friends long gone, she now resorts,
To the best friend she's ever had,
Who stays beside her, won't get mad...

If she forgets a breakfast date,
Because she needed to sleep late,
He listens if she tells a tale,
More often than the Pope gets mail.

He doesn't care if she's now slow,
He'll walk with her both to and fro,
Till she remembers why she's here,
And he will always make it clear.

She cared for him, he'll be there now,
Protect her the best he knows how,
Grandma and her best friend, Puff,
Of cuddling, they can't get enough.

And if she then, should get a whim.....
Don't worry if she talks to him !

My Old Brown Shoe

Mama thought it wasn't right, to take that shoe to bed at night.
She figured it was just a stage, that kids go through when they're my age.

Of course, I wasn't always two! Years flew by, and how I grew!
Older, yes, but always true, to my best pal, my old brown shoe.

We'd play all day out in the sun, the two of us had so much fun.
My buddy, shoe, was always there, I took him with me everywhere.
Anytime I'd walk or ride, my shoe was always at my side.

Then came the time I started school, you know, they had this silly rule!

And though I never did agree, I couldn't bring my shoe with me.
But when I heard that teacher say, "It's recess time, be on your way!"
I'd rush away and down the stairs, outside, where shoe was waiting there.
And all the others laughed at me.... sitting by that big oak tree,
Underneath a sky of blue, holding tight, my old brown shoe.

Sometimes my life was kind of rough, but eveytime I'd had enough,
I found some comfort with my shoe.... years went by and my love grew.
The kids began to understand, that shoe was more than just a friend.
They knew I'd had my old brown shoe, for fifteen years, since I was two.

Then came the day that broke my heart, the time we finally had to part.
It makes me cry when I remember, long ago in late November......
That's when I lost my closest friend, the kind I'll never find again.
A special love, so proud and true, my dearest friend, my old dog.......Shoe.

Genteel Feline

She's plump and soft and quite
Lovely--easy to please.
How I wish I owned this
Unusual Siamese.

My favorite pets

They throw the ball . . . I like to chase
No one can beat me . . . in a fair race
I like my job . . . guarding the house
Just last week . . . I chased a mouse

And there was a skunk . . . he came the other day
I smelled really bad . . . when I shooed him away

They cleaned me up . . . with tomato juice
But I still smelled . . . it was no use

It gets very hard . . . watching those guys
I really don't mind . . . I have good eyes

I have a great life . . . as good as it gets
Cause those three boys . . . are my favorite pets

BANSENJI CAPER

I'm heading for trouble, there's no doubt in her mind
Looking in corners for what I might find
"Hmmm, what will it be? My brains started to tick
"Whatever I do, it will have to be quick

No time to be choosey, a shoe or a thong?
Must make up my mind, I don't have too long
I think it's the sneaker, it smells pretty ripe
I'll make the most of it and chew it just right

Oh! Oh!  Now  I'm for it, I think I'll just scram
Don't know what to do, so I'll do what I can
I'll put on my loveable, innocent look
Then she wont believe that I'm such a crook

A little lick here and a waggy tail there
A look so appealing it wouldn't seem fair
To punish such sweetness for wrongs he has done
'Cause after all's done, I'm still number one

Jasper's Weekly Visit to the Nursing Home
(From a dog's point of view.)

They always say, "We're glad you've come.
The folks all here call you their chum."
I've come to see a special friend.
I know she'll be there in the end.

But first I'll greet some other folk,
My head they'll pat, my back they'll stroke.
So onward down the hall I go;
Although my progress may seem slow.

These are my friends all sitting there.
Some are sleeping, some just stare.
Too bad these people at the home
Seem oh, so sad, and all alone.

They sit and dream of days gone by:
It breaks my heart to see them cry.
And yet, how they all come alive
When they see me--a dog--arrive.
There's Mr. Johnson in the hall.
I heard that he has had a fall.
He can no longer wheel his chair:
I'll lick his hand to show I care.

'Though Mrs. Ansley cannot hear,
She always senses when I'm near.
She offers me a small tidbit,
But always makes me beg for it.

I feel so sad for Myra Wynde.
Oh, did I mention? She is blind.
I go so softly up to her.
She puts her hand into my fur.

She pats my head, and says to me,
"To know you're grand I need not see."
For Mr. Smith I do some tricks.
To poor old Joe I give some licks.

There are so many folks to greet.
To them my visit is a treat.
....Ah! there she is in her wheel chair.
I see her coming--Auntie Clare.

I wiggle-waggle, full of glee.
Her face lights up when she sees me.
"Where have you been? It's been so long."
She then sings me a little song.

Her memory is no longer keen.
She won't remember that I've been.
But that's okay, I do not care.
At least I know that I've been there.

Puffy

We gave him a bath and what appeared,
     but a fluffy cat all silver-gray
Cindy fed him milk from her own lunch tray.
We put an ad in the paper, but it looked
     like he was a stray.

We named him Puffy and he loved to play.
Looks as if that cat's here to stay.
Now Puffy lays on our front door mat.
He's always ready for a little combat,

With the next-door neighbors old Tom Cat.
He sure is no aristocrat.
He's now even getting rather fat.
So if you're in our neighborhood, why don't you
     stop by for a chit-chat,
With our pretty, fluffy, Kitty Cat.

My Dog

She's long and lean, and hairless too,
And she can be a lot of fun;
Sometimes she's yellow, green, or red;
Her doghouse but a toasted bun.

Yes, yes! You're right! She's not a dog
You keep on leash or have to feed;
No, no! She's just my sweet hot dog!
A dog we all so often need.

A Cat's Life

Fur like silk
laps up her milk
as if it were God's nectar.

Paws unfurl
as catnip whirls
her high; a heady spectre.

Chasing mice
is kind of nice
a huntress, brave and strong.

Bows her head
above the dead
meowing victory song.

On the sill
she poses, still,
a statue of such beauty.

Sees a fly
come flitting by
attacks, for it's her duty.

No cares or woes
my kitty knows
what living is about.

Carefree days
and selfish ways...
a purr-fect life, no doubt.

Pitty-Sing

Pitty-Sing was elegant as Siamese can be,
With a grand posture she was formed perfectly.
I treasured this kitten as I watched her at play,
As she grew I planned her special "wedding day".

I would search and find a handsome mate for her.
Then leave her to honeymoon with one I'd prefer.
Pitty-Sing was a house cat-never went outside,
I wanted to keep for her, dignity and pride.

Soon there was a fellow, courting and calling,
His intentions were plain, Pitty-Sing was falling
For this rusty black, chewed ear, scruffy ally cat.
So big and ugly and determined was he that

The next day, through the window, I saw such a sight,
I couldn't believe, walking away in delight,
Was old ugly triumphantly leading my kitten,
With love, my Pitty-Sing truly was smitten.

She had escaped by removing a screen,
Not for three days was my run away seen.
She came home alone, I was glad that she came,
The outcome of their affair, soon became plain'

Pitty-Sing grandly  presented the sight-
Five little kittens as black as the night.

..........