Defending Your Turf
The Cat Playbook III
Old Cat and Young Cat, Mentor and Mentee, Old Cat proud Young Cat earned his cat degree. He looked after Young Cat like he was his own Inside the house that now felt like a home.
Things settled well, they fell into a groove. The way they got along, Pet Dad did approve. They were so happy, their lives felt so ideal, Everything fell in place, content they did feel.
Then one day, Pet Dad acted quite strange. They did not know things were going to change. Extra bowls appeared. And why chew toys abound? Curiouser things became, and then they heard the sound.
An arf, a yelp - was that a bark as well? Young Cat was unsure, but Old Cat knew the tell. "No way this would happen! It could never be! Dad would never add this thing to our family!"
Old Cat was confused, and felt quite insulted Pet Dad made this choice before they'd been consulted. No vote, no say, no referendum they could veto, To bring home this furball, vexing as a mosquito.
Old Cat said, "This won't do, this won't do at all." Young Cat looked at him, then at the dog with awe. "Is he so bad, Old Cat? He seems kind of nice." Old Cat sniffed, "Little you know-hark my sage advice."
"You've learned lessons well, now listen carefully. Dogs and cats don't get along, take this tip from me. You think he's harmless? You'll see fairly soon That for the peace we've known, this spells out its doom."
"We cats strive to be tidy and clean. We take pride in having the best hygiene. Dogs are dirty things who splash round in the mud, Then come home and put paws on everyone."
"Drool spills out their mouths, like water out a tap. He'll take precious real estate on Pet Dad's lap. We need to show him who's boss, the sooner the better- And stay away from his tongue-there's not a thing that is wetter."
New lessons began to defend their home domain. Young Cat listened intently, while Old Cat explained. "We can push him out, show Dad he's unneeded! He has us - the perfect pets! He'll have to concede it!"
In a cardboard box, the cats started to plot. An idea came to Old Cat. The perfect plan, he thought! Young Cat, impressed, said, "You're so sly, like a fox!" Old Cat said, "We just have to think inside the box!"
They held their nose and spilled trash, to get poor pup blamed. Surely Dad would see this and become quickly inflamed! The purpose of this plan was to speed Dog's farewell. But Pet Dad gazed in his eyes, and fell under his spell.
"It's ok, I'll clean it up," to Dog Dad had said. "Since that failed," said Old Cat, "It is time to shred." They found Dad's best shoes, and ripped them with claws. But damage from nails looks way different than jaws.
Dad yelled at the cats and they went back to regroup. They talked of next steps and how low they would stoop. Old Cat said to Young Cat, "Let's lead him outside. Then he'll find another home where he can reside."
Through the door they went, with Pup drooling behind. They asked him to play, which he could not decline. When outside, Old Cat screeched "Scat! Go away!" But no matter how loud he hissed, Pup just sat and stayed.
Old Cat scratched his head, wondering what to do- He waved his paws, spit and spat, he even yelled, "Boo!" But Pup just sat staring, tail wagging to and fro. Then inspiration hit! There was a stick to throw!
Old Cat waved the stick right in front of Pup. Who watched as he released it--it flew up and up. But Pup just sat there watching as it flew over the fence. Old Cat shook his head, and thought, "Boy, this dog is dense."
Old Cat turned to Young Cat, "Time to accept defeat", And Young Cat agreed as they began their retreat. With a heavy sigh, with young Pup they went in. Old Cat sadly said, "This is a war we can't win."
"But we must remain together, keep our majority! He will learn and bow to our su-purr-iority! Lay at our paws, this dog will, and follow all our orders! We will lead, he will respect our rules and our borders!"
He said this, then looked down to see Young Cat curled up- Cuddling with the enemy! Nestling with Pup! Old Cat huffed, threw up paws, and said with frustration, "I will never understand this younger generation..."
