EDWARD GOREY AND HIS CATS (FOR JON)

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CAT WATCHING GEESE & DUCKS

Observe the world now
For it is not meant to last
An image on film

Haiku Copyright 2018 by Dylan Mitchell
Photo Copyright RoyP

JAMES BOWEN AND A STREET CAT NAMED BOB

TRUE CAT STORY

While I was staggering home from a bar in 1986, I suddenly heard the distinct sound of a cat meowing in distress. I stopped in my tracks, and discovered a cat in a posh carrier dropped off outside an animal shelter at 2 A.M.

I  opened the carrier (this was during one of the coldest winters in Chicago), and did my best to comfort the cat as best I could. I reasoned she would freeze to death before the shelter opened in the morning, so I put the shivering cat back in the carrier, and hopped on a warm bus to my apartment.

Long story short: I named her Venus, and she became my constant companion for many wonderful months. Sadly, my lover and I finally got our subsidized apartment, and no pets were allowed. I was forced to find a good home for Venus.

A "friend" offered to give her a good home, so I trusted him. He buttered me up by telling me I would still be able to visit Venus, and he would give her the good care she deserved.

Here's the dark part. A mere week after I trusted him with Venus, he claimed that he'd given her to a lonely old lady as a companion. Whenever I asked if I might be able to see Venus for a visit, he always had some lame excuse.

I finally confronted him about the matter, and he fessed up that he'd tossed Venus out of the house because he was afraid he might hurt her. He threw her in the alley (and she was declawed) during a severe snow storm. I still have nightmares about this. And I learned that most "friends" are frauds at best.

This nutcase now calls himself a vegan. I hope that karma will teach him a lesson or two. Big Time.

ONE COOL CAT: A STREET CAT NAMED BOB

I only just discovered this fantastic book a little more than 4 weeks ago. If you are a lover of pets and how they can keep us going when humans fall short of  giving us the unconditional love and support that we all need to keep on going, then give this book a very long peek.

James Bowen was a recovering drug addict in London in 2007 when he first met Bob. Poor Bob had a serious paw injury, and could scarcely walk. After James noticed that nobody was offering any help he took matters into his own hands and made sure Bob got a proper visit and treatment to a vet, and Bob was on the mend within 2 weeks.

The rest is history. James is clean and sober, and Bob is a national celebrity. Several best-selling books, a popular movie about their special bond which was released in 2016, plus several charity foundations for homeless people and stray cats and dogs.

And all because one wounded cat and a damaged human saw themselves in each other. I can't wait to see the movie! (Most public libraries have all the books and DVD.)

"I saved Bob and he saved me. He's a special little fellow." - James Bowen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. ROY!!

All my love and respect,

Dylan

BLACK CATS ARE COOL (EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR)

A friend sent this to me early this morning, and I could not resist posting it on my blog: I've always been partial to black cats - and not just on Halloween. Anyway, hope your Pumpkin Day has been a happy one for you!

TAKING A BREAK...

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A lot is going on lately in my life, and I have much catching up to do. So I've decided to take a break from the internet for a bit, so I can accomplish some of the real life stuff I have been avoiding big time. I'd like to thank everyone that was kind enough to take a long peek at my blog. It really has meant a lot to me.

I leave you with one final cat pic. My good friend (Roy) recently encountered this enchanting fellow while he was on vacation. If anyone would like to chat with me, please feel free to send me an email (address can be found in my profile). I hope everyone has an awesome spring and summer. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

Dylan

FRIDAY THE 13TH (PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY)

I'm frankly quite astonished that more bloggers are not writing about this subject? But I've always been very superstitious, so I guess I'm among a minority.

I will not go out into the world on this day. I'll stay inside, listen to lots of music, and read stuff on the internet.

One story I just read was about how black cats are less likely to be adopted from animal shelters except on Halloween and Friday the 13th. Then suddenly everybody wants one. And how most shelters are reluctant to let just anyone adopt a dark kitty on those two days: The screening process suddenly becomes quite difficult and endless - as it very well should.

I'd laugh about this if I did not know just how weird and twisted most of humanity can be. A black cat is really cool to have on Halloween and Friday the 13th, but easily discarded after such unholy days are done? (By the way, I am not a Christian.) I've owned several cats and three were black. I could never just discard one in such a cruel and casual way.

But I'm just a very weird and twisted poet. Stay safe out there, people and cats both...

Essay © 2016 by Dylan Mitchell

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE TV COMMERCIAL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. ROY!!

KINDNESS IS STILL ALIVE: ELSA

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY: UNO

"Never said I was shy..."

PICTURE PERFECT FRIDAY: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROY!!

THE STRANGE CASE OF EDWARD GOREY

He was always there
with his cats and bearded men
Gory books of life

Haiku © 2013 by Dylan Mitchell

WHY DO SO MANY MEN HATE CATS?

I really do need somebody to help me out here. Can
someone please tell me why so many men HATE cats?
I mean, I've always liked cats a lot. And I'm pretty
sure I'm a dude. So there are some exceptions. But
keep in mind that I am also a poet - and we tend to be
a fairly strange breed. So maybe that's why I like
cats? But have you ever noticed that most men seem to
DESPISE felines with a vehement passion? It almost
borders on a phobia! These dudes will say the most
incredibly offensive things about cats and their
"sickening" habits. But how come? HELP!

I have a theory? It's just a small one, and not all
that scientific, so again - feel free to offer your own
insights. I think a lot of men secretly feel
threatened by cats. Of course no dude will ever fess
up to that. It would make them appear too weak. And
that's the worst thing that can happen to a dude's
ego. But why the murderous feelings? The only good cat
is a dead cat? That kind of passion to me means that
something very deep is going on inside the dude's
head. I mean, some of the things they will actually
say: Cats are stupid. A dog is better. At least it
will do something when you tell it to. So is that it?
Most men feel threatened by cats because a cat
actually knows how to think for itself, and will look
at you like you are insane if you order it to do
something?

And a lot of men take it very personally when a cat
ignores their attempts at making friends with them.
The cat is simply too stupid or stubborn to be
overjoyed about getting a nice little pat on the head.
Bad, bad cat! Well, I actually admire the cat for
being so independent and aloof. I understand that I am
going to have to earn the cat's respect and trust
before it will allow me to manhandle it in any kind of
fashion. I actually think dogs are kind of silly for
being so easy. It doesn't impress me when I have to
fend off some overgrown mutt that insists I pet it,
and let it lick me from head to toe—not even one
minute after I have first made its acquaintance.

And don't get me started on the litter box deal.
That's usually the excuse I get when I ask a dude why
he is so phobic about cats. He actually hates the
sickening litter box more than the poor cat. But is it
less sickening to have to follow a dog around as you
take it for its morning stroll, and get ready to scoop
up the latest……. I think you know what comes next.
I mean, I find that much more "sickening" than a
harmless little litter box. And who wants to get up at
the crack of dawn, and take Butch outside for his
first walk of the day? I sometimes don't even get out
of bed till the sun has gone down! I am truly baffled
by this cat phobia thing.

So I am hoping that some of you cat hating dudes (the
more honest ones) will bravely step forward and clue
me in. Just fess up that you really hate cats. Then
try and give me a really good reason why - I mean,
something that makes sense. This could very well be
the first step in your recovery - or even my own.
Perhaps you'll somehow convince me that dogs really
are much better than cats. And I hope to hear from
some of the cat lovers too. Men and women both.
Because I am hoping to solve this mystery that's been
bugging me for many a year: Why do so many men hate
cats? Please help me out here.

Essay © 2009 by Dylan Mitchell