stealing to an open door, craving food and meat,

frightened off with angry cries and broomed into the street;

tortured, teased, and chased by dogs, through the lonely night,

homeless little beggar cat, sorry is your plight.

—ella wheeler wilcox.

questions

if you cannot care for or feed a stray cat, what is the kindest thing to do?

how does it save the birds to see that stray cats either are given a home or are taken to a cat refuge?

i have a little kitty,

just as cute as she can be;

but my! she is peculiar!

for she eats her catnip tea!

after every meal she eats

she tidies up her head,

and washes carefully enough;—

but she never makes her bed!

i’m told a kitty cannot talk,

but my kitty every day

tells me that she loves me

when we are at our play!

yes, she tells me very plainly

and i will tell you how,—

i ask, “who thinks a lot of me?”

she answers, “me! me—ow!”

—j. e. f.