Cats
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Cat Food
The cats I've hadexcitedly huntmice, moths, flies and grasshoppers,and will–to varying extent–consume them. I have yet to see themhunt downcows, chickens, calves and fish of any kind.And given their responseto the approach of a trundling toddler,I can only imagine them… Continue reading
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Stop Trying So Hard
"Stop trying so hard,"says my cat,pausing while grooming,left hind leg still extended upward."We're not going to love you any lessbecause there's dust on the credenza." Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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The Cat Shop
There is a small shopin my obscure little neighborhood,staffed solely by cats. They sell cans of cat food, or course,and a variety of toys made of feathers, yarn and strips of colored foil.They also carry catnip,from the run-of-the-mill, Petsmart kindto… Continue reading
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Both Cats
Both cats merge on my lap:twenty-four total poundsof silky, satisfied blackness. So my question is:Am I sitting with a lap full of catsor a lapful of cat? This kind of question bugs me. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk… Continue reading
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Not Always So
Yesterday,a scare with the cats: hours of anxious waiting, hours of driving, thirsty for reassurance, hundreds of dollars, hundreds of tears.and suddenly,all is well. Just like that,all is well–we are home– the cats more appreciative… Continue reading
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Apology
First, Happy Birthday to me! Today I turn 58. I'm celebrating with Tim in Las Vegas. If you want to send flowers, we're staying at the Luxor, but really, I'd rather you took me out for a nice lunch at… Continue reading
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Feeling Dangerous
If you woke up this morningfeeling dangerous,it's going to bea good day. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Purr-uning
As he curves into my arm,resting his ebony head on my shoulder,kneading my neck with the cool pads of his paws,his purr passes through me,cleaning out last season's dried weeds and spent dread,like a gardener pinching off dead blossoms. He's… Continue reading
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God Stopped By
God stopped bywhile Adam was naming the animals. A black dog stepped forward:"Julian," said Adam. A long-haired cat:"Carla." A brindled, full-uddered cow:"Samantha." God smiled and shook his head."No, Adam, that's not it.Give them generic names.Julian is a dog.Carla is a… Continue reading
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Dawn’s First Fingers
Dawn's first fingersreach around our neighbor's houseand stroke the graying slatsof our tool shed. A small gray catpussyfoots her wayup the naked, broken trellisto the cracked, tacked, faded gray shingles of the roof.She faces the sun,raises one paw,licks it twice,settles… Continue reading