Notes About The Poem

My next door neighbor in the northwest territories and I had adpted cats from the same litter and they were identical brothers. We never knew until that day.

Leroy and the Neighbor's Cat

Once when we lived way up north where it's real cold in winter,
We had a dog named Leroy, it's him I now remember.
We took him from a real bad home where he was abused and beaten.
The man was going to shoot him for that man was a cretin.

Leroy was a Beagle cross with Doxie or Corgi mixed in.
Whatever was his background it made a real good blend.
He really took to me straightway, became my biggest fan.
My little buddy through and through and I thought he was grand.

He was a funny little guy, he had a thing for cats.
He didn't want to hurt them but adopted them as pets.
My neighbor came to me one day for help with her new kitten.
It wouldn't play games with her dog as would her big cat, Mitten.

I told her that would come in time that she must just be patient.
The kitten had to learn to trust, she couldn't be impatient.
I went over to her house and there to my surprise,
Was Cougar, our big, buff cat with great big amber eyes.

"Cougar! What are you here for? I better take you home!
I'm sorry that he's in your house. He usually doesn't roam."
My neighbor told me, "That's my cat."
"Oh no' I said, 'he's mine."

Leroy looked up at the cat. No doubt was in his mind.
The cat looked down at Leroy. He stiffened in my arms.
How was he to know this dog really meant no harm.
Leroy leaped up off the ground. He barked,"Come on, let's play!"

The cat exploded in a cloud of cat hair, spit and spray.
My chest and arms were bleeding, pee ran down my shirt.
My neighbor looked concerned and said, "Judy, are you hurt?"

"I really thought he was my cat. You'd think there'd be some sign."
My neighbor looked at me and laughed, "I told you he was mine."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Allison Avatar
December 14, 2021 at 4:55 PM
what a wonderful story Judy thanks for the smile, our cat used to have a second home and of course got fed and looked after at 2 venues lol really made me think of old poshy as we called her:-) hugs Jan xx
Laurie Avatar
November 18, 2021 at 4:12 PM
Hello Judy ... an honest mistake but with consequences. Certainly something to laugh about in the future. You might have to put a ribbon around the neck of your cat - thank you Judy - Lindsay
Ball Avatar
November 22, 2021 at 5:23 AM
Thanks so much Lindsay. As it turned out our Cougar was in our house napping. God Bless, JB
Proxenos Avatar
November 8, 2021 at 3:21 AM
i am still laughing, but not at the injuries you sustained! We had a cat like that before we bought our present house as having sold our big home, rented until we found what we wanted. Well there was a cat whom everyone adopted and it (male or female I do not know) adopted us. HE/SHE would waltz in and gently paw all over my computer sending wrong messages and settling down on the computer, she was cute, I just loved her, in fact I wrote a poem 'ORPHAN ANNIE' . Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Ball Avatar
November 10, 2021 at 7:32 AM
Thanks bunches Jennifer. As it turned out our Cougar was in our house napping. God Bless, JB
Dietrich Avatar
November 7, 2021 at 9:12 AM
what a funny story, Judy. I see you are an animal lover too like me!! Love your story telling.
Ball Avatar
November 10, 2021 at 7:26 AM
Thank you so much Andrea. God Bless JB
Kiser Avatar
November 3, 2021 at 2:28 PM
Oh my! You've got to be certain or get sprayed? Not good, very enjoyable penning.
Ball Avatar
November 4, 2021 at 3:12 PM
Thank so much M.L. It was quite the experience. lol God Bless, JB
Brown Avatar
November 1, 2021 at 1:28 PM
Hi Judy, I loved your story. It kind of reminds me of a cat we had in the neighborhood several years ago. She came to our house, moved right in, one of the sweetest cat you every run into. We called her Kit. Then we started to notice she was making her rounds around the neighborhood. She'd set outside the door and meow. They'd open up the door and let her in. She'd stay for a while them move on to the next neighbor. Thanks! for a great story. Blessings, Debbie
Ball Avatar
November 1, 2021 at 6:52 PM
Thanks bunches Debbie. I have a black cat that is very pretty and loves everyone. When I let her out she goes visiting. It worries me because some people have tried to keep her even though I have let everyone know she is my cat. It's hard to keep her in because she claws at the door and meows until I let her out. Thanks bunches, God Bless, JB
Kendrick Avatar
November 1, 2021 at 6:23 AM
Good story told in poetic form about a real life happening. It is not a good thing to be holding a cat when a dog comes around. I have experienced that with my cat. I did not know the dog was anywhere around but the cat did and let me experience those razor sharp nails. I enjoyed reading this one . Thanks for the visit to my p age. Sara
Ball Avatar
November 1, 2021 at 8:42 AM
Thank you so much Sara. God Bless, JB
Buhagiar Avatar
November 1, 2021 at 4:25 AM
Cheerful tale which I really enjoyed.
Ball Avatar
November 1, 2021 at 6:01 AM
Thank you so much Victor. God Bless, JB
Cunningham Avatar
October 31, 2021 at 3:25 PM
Lol, great story Judy, I only saw the first bit when I looked earlier. Thanks for the soupmail. Tom
Ball Avatar
October 31, 2021 at 3:43 PM
Thanks so much Tom. Glad you liked it. God Bless, JB
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace