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Tommy My Favorite Green Eyed Pet

Not easy to do as I have had twenty-five pets I wish I was exaggerating but I am not. The sweetest cat ever was Tommy Van Lets. He was an escape artist, rarely ever caught. He would be gone for days, coming home in the rain. Discovered how to make a mama cry that woke me up. He was my gentle green eyed guy, nuzzled like a train. Loved him every second until I could not any more. High school lad I was tutoring ran over Tommy one night. Thinking it was hilarious, showing off, which brought me to tears. Sadly, it was his grand way of pushing me away. Helping him too much, and he, immature, for his years. That sweet kitty baby used to sit in this lad’s lap. Cuddling while I explained his English and math due. I have not forgotten this betrayal or sadness of this child. I guess he was pushing away my soft angel kitty too. Written 9-27-2019 Contest: Favorite Pet Sponsor: Regina Riddle

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Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 9/28/2019 9:22:00 PM

Double anguish is beheld in this sad tale of loss Caren. This is so well expressed and deeply moving. Your entry should be a top winner! I am sorry for your painful loss. A Fave! xxoo

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2019 8:42:00 AM

It was so horrible when another child thought it would be "funny to tell me who ran over my cat." I could not stop sobbing. I think I sobbed for five hours. He was my baby, and he had a cry that said "Mama" when he got locked out. That "mama" woke me up every time.

Ronald Kent

Date: 9/28/2019 2:19:00 PM

Good luck in the contest Caren and thank you for the comments on my poems.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2019 8:43:00 AM

You are welcome Ronald. I was barely able to write this. It happened in 1997, and this was the first time I tried to write about it.

Lady Labyrinth

Date: 9/28/2019 11:24:00 AM

LOVE IT. The name, Tommy Van Lets! Beautiful. Priceless. I used to think it was natural for all children to have a sense of value for all life, human and animal. Perhaps this was how I was raised in my family, the era. I thought that was normal back then to value and respect all life. I was naive in my summation of it all. I am saddened and sorry for Tommy Van Lets and your loss. Betrayal by a child is heart wrenching, the act of callousness in the taking of another life and the casualness of humour in the loss of that life, is a reflection on the child's circumstances and their parent's lack of involvement in the child’s understanding of life’s precious value.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2019 8:44:00 AM

The child had a rough life. His mother died of toxic shock syndrome when he was five and his brother was four. They came home from school and were told their mother was dead leaving them with an alcoholic father who showed no feelings. I still do not forget this betrayal.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 9/28/2019 9:30:00 AM

I presume the guy who thought running over your beloved pet was funny is in jail now--for some act punishable by law!! This is a great piece, Caren--well-written and heartfelt. Janice

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2019 8:45:00 AM

No. He was a child. Only 17. And I think in Iowa where I lived it was okay to run over pets.

Eve Roper

Date: 9/28/2019 9:02:00 AM

You have a perfect poem for the entry, Caren, good luck in the contest.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2019 8:45:00 AM

Thank you Eve. I appreciate it.

Nash Maramba

Date: 9/28/2019 7:53:00 AM

I had loved this pet too, then sadness visited me shortly when .. a High school lad (...) ran over Tommy one night. (...) This is beautifully written

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2019 8:45:00 AM

Thank you so much. This cat was my BABY. I was so sad.