Here is something for the pet lovers - My wife won a writing contest for Global Pet Foods.
The story is posted here:
Global Pet Foods - You Showed Us Your Heart
The Grand prize was dinner for two and pet food for one year.
Please help me in saying well done for her well written story.
Amanda Jones of Moncton, NB
He came to our door looking needy. I opened my door one morning in July to a tiny orange kitten. He was scrawny and he was starving. He had the most horrible cry, so sad, so in need of love. I was instantly smitten. But, because I have a habit of taking in strays, I knew convincing my husband we needed a 3rd cat was going to be a job. So with an aching heart, I told him to come and see the "cute little kitty". As I expected, the first words out of Chris's mouth were "Amanda, we don't need another cat." But by now, 5 minutes after seeing the little mongrel, he had been tentatively named Mr. Stripey, due to the dark orange rings that worked themselves through his sunset colored fur. He looked at Chris with those same big kitten eyes, and I knew from the look at Chris's face that he was falling in love with the little sweetie. I decided to let Chris "decide" we needed another cat. For 9 days, I watched Mr. Stripey come every time he heard the door open. He would wrap himself around our legs, purring louder then I have ever heard. My 3 kids loved him, and my friends and family joked about our frequent visitor. Chris was setting out cat food and water for Mr. Stripey. Chris set out the cat carrier to protect Mr. Stripey from the light rain showers, complete with towels so he'd be comfortable. Then one day, some neighborhood kids were chasing Mr. Stripey with rocks. He came running to Chris for protection. Then, to my utter and complete joy, "Mr. Stripey" was deemed a bad name. His name was Rusty. Rusty ended up getting the full treatment- fleas, mites and worms. Then he was welcomed into our home with loving arms. Then tragedy happened. Our dear tabby cat, Tigger, suddenly became very sick. He died within 3 days. Our hearts broke as we explained to our children (5 yrs, 2 yrs and 1 yr) that Tiggy had gone to kitty heaven. Almost as if he knew, Rusty came running to our feet, jumped onto my daughter's lap and started purring, rubbing his head against her and giving kisses. My precious 5 year old said "Mommy, I bet Tigger knew he was sick so he got Rusty to come live us. He needed some time to train him first though." as we had convinced our children that the cats kept monsters away, so they could go in the basement and not worry. Rusty is now a healthy cat with a heart so big it can only be compared to his paws, which have 7 fingers on his hands and 6 toes on his feet. It's funny, what started as a cat who needed a loving family wound up joining a family who needed a loving cat.
The story is posted here:
Global Pet Foods - You Showed Us Your Heart
The Grand prize was dinner for two and pet food for one year.
Please help me in saying well done for her well written story.
Amanda Jones of Moncton, NB
He came to our door looking needy. I opened my door one morning in July to a tiny orange kitten. He was scrawny and he was starving. He had the most horrible cry, so sad, so in need of love. I was instantly smitten. But, because I have a habit of taking in strays, I knew convincing my husband we needed a 3rd cat was going to be a job. So with an aching heart, I told him to come and see the "cute little kitty". As I expected, the first words out of Chris's mouth were "Amanda, we don't need another cat." But by now, 5 minutes after seeing the little mongrel, he had been tentatively named Mr. Stripey, due to the dark orange rings that worked themselves through his sunset colored fur. He looked at Chris with those same big kitten eyes, and I knew from the look at Chris's face that he was falling in love with the little sweetie. I decided to let Chris "decide" we needed another cat. For 9 days, I watched Mr. Stripey come every time he heard the door open. He would wrap himself around our legs, purring louder then I have ever heard. My 3 kids loved him, and my friends and family joked about our frequent visitor. Chris was setting out cat food and water for Mr. Stripey. Chris set out the cat carrier to protect Mr. Stripey from the light rain showers, complete with towels so he'd be comfortable. Then one day, some neighborhood kids were chasing Mr. Stripey with rocks. He came running to Chris for protection. Then, to my utter and complete joy, "Mr. Stripey" was deemed a bad name. His name was Rusty. Rusty ended up getting the full treatment- fleas, mites and worms. Then he was welcomed into our home with loving arms. Then tragedy happened. Our dear tabby cat, Tigger, suddenly became very sick. He died within 3 days. Our hearts broke as we explained to our children (5 yrs, 2 yrs and 1 yr) that Tiggy had gone to kitty heaven. Almost as if he knew, Rusty came running to our feet, jumped onto my daughter's lap and started purring, rubbing his head against her and giving kisses. My precious 5 year old said "Mommy, I bet Tigger knew he was sick so he got Rusty to come live us. He needed some time to train him first though." as we had convinced our children that the cats kept monsters away, so they could go in the basement and not worry. Rusty is now a healthy cat with a heart so big it can only be compared to his paws, which have 7 fingers on his hands and 6 toes on his feet. It's funny, what started as a cat who needed a loving family wound up joining a family who needed a loving cat.
That is so lovely, especially the ending :-
