Mama Cat and Her Gang

My son and his family drove down from the big city,
out to the countryside with open fields and steams.
They brought their standard golden poodle along, 
a curly-haired fellow, name of Timmy.
Timmy had never seen a cat;
not even a mole or a furry rat.
Visiting country kin, he was checking things out.

Everything went fine that very first day.
Cats went about paying him no mind.
He walked about just passing time.
On that second day there was a big mistake.
Being a city dog with more worldy ways,
to add pleasure to his hum-drum days,
he thought it time to befriend these country kin.
 
The cats had never seen a dog this small,
only those on stilts, big, long and tall, 
like Pyrenees, big wide mouths and teeth to match.
With barking big dogs on the scene,
up a tree they squirreled, never to be seen.
But this golden-haired fellow, with city clout--
they’d give him benefit of instinctive doubt.

Mama cat was even so bold 
to sniff this city slicker right on the nose.
Sizing him up all the while, a friendly rat, she surmised,
a might bigger than some she had seen,
playing cat and mouse, yet acting so coy;  
that is, until that overgrown golden-haired rat  
walked up to Mama’s black baby boy.

Mama’s two other sons, another black and a blue,
began to gather nearer this city dweller, too.
Timmy politely extended his nose.
black son cat extended his razor-sharp claws,
with a bristled tail and fierce hissing jaws. 
Timmy let out with a painful yelp,
as Mama cat called all boys in for help.

Cats surrounded and gave chase to the dog,
life-fearing circles around the cedar tree he’d log;
four hissing cats hot on his tail,
poor Timmy yelping in a desperate wail.
The master of Timmy gave rescue,  
but Mama cat and her three grown sons,
strutting in pride, putting a dog on the run. 



Written by:  Carolyn Henderson
For Constance LaFrance's Cat Poem Contest
Won 9th Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Brown Avatar
September 7, 2010 at 4:23 AM
Congratulations on your win in Constance~A Rambling Poet's~ contest "Cat Poems~~". Love, Carol
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 6, 2010 at 4:27 PM
I had great fun reading this adorable poem Carolyn. Congratulations on your well deserved win. Aloha, Connie
Freeman Avatar
September 3, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Congratulations! Carolyn it is very interesting to see the reactions between these animal pets, as they size each other up. I loved your narative. Agape, Moses
Mehta Avatar
September 3, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Congratulations on this fine win in Constance's contest, Carolyn
Dietrich Avatar
September 3, 2010 at 10:05 AM
GREAT story!! congratulations in the cat contest. LUv, Andrea
Johnson Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 6:59 PM
A truly cute poem. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
Roberts Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 6:44 PM
adorable, congrats on your win in the contest
Sweetheart Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Congrats Carolyn on your purr fect win in the CAT contest.. enjoyed your write .. enjoy your holiday weekend ..be safe and happy....did u view my wedding photos yet on my blog?...
Devonshire Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Love the way the cats got the better of Timmy! Very funny story, Carolyn, and I congratulate you on your win. Your husband told me what happened today and I'm just glad you are both okay. Please be careful. Remember the old saying, "When you play with fire, sometimes you get burned." Love, Carolyn
Guzzi Avatar
July 19, 2010 at 5:01 PM
How cool is that! Go cats! A dog aughta be DOG sized! People should not breed these poor little things! Light & Love (Made me laugh! Thanks!)
Beer Avatar
July 12, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Very well written, Carolyn. I've had experiences like this but the cat that scared me to death was a Bob Cat. I was about 12 and my brother and cousin and I had been out riding and went into a cove. There on a ledge hidden by branches sat his majesty. We hit the trail fast. Very well though out, God Bless, Cile
Johnson Avatar
June 17, 2010 at 9:40 PM
A cute tale well told. My sympathy too is for the poor friendly little dog. Thank you for your comments on my "These hands". Love, Joyce
M Avatar
June 6, 2010 at 4:39 PM
As I read, the words in this poem reminded me, also, of the old western scalawag mother who crossed paths with someone she didn't like, and she "russelled up" her ruthless boys to surround the victim ...almost like a pack of coyotes teaming together to corner their prey. This is a humorous perspective of the situation. I feel so bad for Timmy who had never been around the likes of those country cats. He was being so gentle to kiss the Mama cat. Wonder why she turned against him?
Kendrick Avatar
June 5, 2010 at 11:06 AM
It does work that way especially if a mama cat is protecting her offspring and it does not matter how old her offspring are she will defend and protect them...Great write that brings scene to mind of the mother protecting her litter.Keep the creative pen flowing..Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work...Sara
Neels Avatar
June 1, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Carolyn, I pictured the scene while reading this.. I'm left with a smile on my face.. Love the visuals and the story, love Wilma
Simpson Avatar
June 1, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Dear Carolyn, I loved this so much, having 3 cats of my own, one of which thinks he's a dog and chases ball and fetches sticks, etc. You make this so vivid a picture, poor little boy needed rescuing, I feel so sorry for him. Thank you so much for your comments on my postings, along with others you give me confidence to continue to write. Thank you, keep writing, Rita
Spence Sr Avatar
June 1, 2010 at 6:23 AM
This is an excellent poem and very detailed. You could have easily turned it into a sestina. I have often thought about driving to Tampa. One day I will. Great job! Joseph
Byrne Avatar
June 1, 2010 at 3:55 AM
very amusing!
Dietrich Avatar
May 31, 2010 at 9:41 PM
NOw that is a scene that would be fun to see. but they sure did gang up on the poor little poodle. A fun read! How is Timmy today? Luv, Andrea
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