My Thirteen-Toed Lover

When you stuck your paw out from that shelter cage, Did you have any idea whose sleeve you clawed? Did you see a heart you needed to engage? Was there a sense that I’d see you and applaud? Was it your intent other pets to upstage? How could you know I’d love a critter so flawed? Six toes on one paw, seven on another For some reason you knew I’d be your mother I was not searching for a small, gray tabby But love springs forth when we least expect it to Born in a barn, scruffy looking, so shabby My ferile heart you were able to subdue It mattered not that I was tired and crabby My feigned, rough exterior you could see through I wanted a guard dog, surely you knew that But I ended up with a thirteen-toed cat One who came to know my lap as her pillow And oddly had discriminatory taste I’d have had more use for an armadillo Possums on a half shell of earthworms make waste But Katy won my heart with a tail that billowed While eying tuna with a smirk of distaste A fur ball she was, but I’ll not forget her I’ve never known a more devoted lover *Ottava Rima for Jared's contest on "New Love"