Welcome to Lynda Ward’s ‘Rhyme or Reason’, a regular column devoted to feline related sayings, poems, rhymes, limericks and ditties (these can be by you, or even by your cat or another animal). You’ll receive a FREE 2kg bag of James Wellbeloved premium cat food if your item is published (5kg if it’s chosen as the ‘Star Turn’) and it can relate to any aspect of cats and cat ownership. So don’t delay, start racking your brains for those serious, funny or wise words!
Contributions should be e-mailed to Lynda at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com faxed to 01773 540703 or posted to Lynda Ward, c/o Our Cats, with your full postal address.
Cat Shows
Many new breeds to see
But still the same he and she
Cat lovers, fun lovers
Cat traders, cat seekers
False friends, true friends
And new friends
Sporting, non sporting
Compliments and praises
Helpers and workers
Takers and givers
Why do we goBut when is the next!
L. Watson, Whitehaven
***Star turn***
The Sky of a Trillion Stars
“Look at the sky of a trillion stars,
Venus, Orion, Jupiter, Mars.
We ask ourselves and wonder why
We see such beauty in the sky.
In the darkest depths of deepest space,
We may see eyes, but not a face.
A trillion stars like twinkling eyes
All-seeing, soothing, worldly-wise.
Look up further to the right,
Some stars are shining extra bright.
Their radiance plays like flame on coals
A coming together of little cat souls.
They watch us from their Heavenly High
As we weep because they had to die.
With us mere mortals here on earth,
They lived and breathed through death and birth.
One soul gone and a new one born
To follow night with a brand new dawn,
As it is cast in God’s own plan,
That things must end as they began.
And up there in the firmament
Shines on the souls of those God lent.
So let us look up at the stars
And smile to know that they are ours”.
K. Grantham & J. Bowen, Solihull
SOME years ago, when we were on holiday in Madeira, we met a ginger and white cat called Ugly. This was because his face and jaw were quite mis-shapen, because some caring individual had kicked him in the face. I won’t bore you with my thoughts on that score!!
When we went to Madeira the following year, he had had corrective surgery, paid for by caring holidaymakers. Now he has no teeth at one side, he dribbles a bit, but his face has been transformed! He has now grown into a super cat. We and other holidaymakers from various countries, put money into “Tom’s Box”. Over the years he has grown into a fine, friendly fellow. People feed him on cat food (of course) as well as fillet steak, chicken and espada fish, which is a delicacy on the island. He is multi-lingual and understands “Come here Tom” and other endearments in a variety of languages. Now, the Owner Relations Dept. has taken over his care, supplemented by donations and food from holidaymakers. Now, he is called “Tom” because he sits on “Tom’s chair” the place where one of the reps. used to sit and smoke his pipe.
Last year, we were amazed to see as well, some charming kittens. They were very timid, but would come for food. You have guessed it: they were Tom’s progeny, as they just will not neuter the male cats(!)
This year, only one kitten, now an adult, remained. She is a stunning grey and white female with a fantastic plume for a tail. (The other kittens were found homes: I mean that!) Fluffy stays close to Tom, but he is not averse to pinching her food.
Now Tom is so used to us that he comes to greet us and she is never far behind. They enjoy their treats and now we can stroke the little one. Earlier this year she was run over, hospitalised and went for recuperation to a cat charity, so whilst there, she became more accustomed to being handled. Thankfully, she was spayed at the same time. The remedial operation and spaying cost about £560.
I didn’t see either cat this year for three days.
Fearing the worst, I went to Owner Relations and asked if they had seen them. “Don’t worry” was the reply, “... he often goes clubbing at weekends!!” I was very relieved when I did see them and I told Tom he hadn’t to go clubbing and lead the little one astray without asking mum (me!!) first! He took it all in, kneading his paws expectantly, and waited patiently for the tit-bits he knew were in my bag.
Other people send me reports by e-mail and postcard during the year saying [Tom is fine” or I said “hello Tom” for you. Now the fund for his and for Fluffy’s welfare is increasing; we know that he is cared for during the year. We know that some year we will visit Madeira and Tom will not be there, so we enjoy his company whilst we can. When doing so, we think of our own pampurred pets at home.
This is a poem I wrote about Tom after I first met him
Madeira 2000 Cat
A ginger and white shorthair
Lay down in the sun,
Watching the tourists
Swim and have fun.
One ‘bastido’ tourist
A few months ago
Kicked out at his head!!
In pain he meaowed nao!
Another kind tourist
Paid a fee to the vet,
The damage was mended,
But his teeth never met!
He found it hard
To catch any prey,
Why did he do it
Is all he could say!?!?
A lady came
And tickled his head
Who did this to you?!?!
She angrily said.
He felt he could trust her
And started to purr.
Then out of her pocket
She drew out a treat;
Roast ham! He could smell it:
Cut in pieces so small,
He soon had devoured it;
None left at all!
Next day, he espied her;
Came with tail held aloft:
She tickled his fur,
Her finger so soft.
What treat had she brought him?
He watched her with care,
This time it was salmon
A treat! oh so rare.
he nuzzled her hand
And rolled on his back.
She remembered her own cats
Who for nothing did lack.
For a moment their eyes met
In trust and respect.
Now he’d return
To laze in the sun
He’d see her and others like her again.
In time he’d forget his old pain.
Faith in humans restored
He’d greet them and purr.
Perhaps if a lizard or mouse
Was slowly to stir;
He’d just have a go
In memory of her!!
N. Webster, Wakfield
