Chapter Two...

As Gemma grew up a bit and became more independent we agreed that I would devote my attention to Mom and she would be Dad's cat, this would be conveyed to Mom and Dad, we would not ignore them just devote ourselves to our respective parents.

Then came the 'Kenducky Derby' this is a 'human' pastime, for charity, tickets are sold and the number of the ticket is written on a yellow plastic duck, then all of the ducks are floated down a local stream... Mom and Dad bought tickets in our names and, wouldn't you just know it, Gemma's duck came in third.. She had her name in the paper, her name was broadcast on the radio, she was quite a celebrity for a while, and, needless to say, not very easy to live with.

The prize was a Sunset Cruise, but, as Gemma suffers from motion sickness, Mom and Dad took the trip and had a really nice time, so they said.

About this time there started to appear all sorts of small wild life in the woods at the back of the house and Gemma caught a mouse, although she took it home and dropped it on the kitchen floor she was praised as being a clever little cat. Not to be outdone I caught a rabbit but somehow this did not go over too well and Dad yelled so loud that I dropped it, I was carrying it by the neck, so it shook itself and hopped away. There seems to be no understanding these humans, Gemma is praised for catching a mouse, I get yelled at for catching a rabbit.

Gemma she done caught a mouse, so Zak he caught a rabbit
I hope this escalation thing does not become a habit

For if it carries on like this and escalates, I fear
if Gemma catches something bigger Zak might catch a deer.

Life progressed, after the 'Kenducky Derby' incident, Gemma finally came back down to earth and dropped her 'celebrity' attitude. Mom and Dad were always out looking at houses to move us all into and then we found that we had a venerable relative over in England, named Mr. Perkins, who lives with Dad's Brother..

By this time, having sat and studied while Dad and Mom worked at the Computer, we had both become quite proficient at putting our thoughts down, so we started a little correspondence going with Mr. Perkins, although, as he is very old, he does not reply to many of the verses we write, still it gives us lots of practice.
I should ad here, by way of clarification that Dad's Brother writes short stories that are broadcast on the radio in England, that is, l believe that Mr. Perkins actually writes them and gives the credit to Dad's Brother, in the same way as do Gemma and I with our Dad.

I should perhaps tell you a little more about Gemma, at time of writing she is about a year old, she has developed into a very pretty cat as Mom mentions far too often, however I am the handsome one as befits the male of the species, but, I digress. Gemma can be a little moody at times and also demanding. She does not like being picked up and will growl when anyone does so, she also makes sure her claws are out when she tries to escape, so anyone trying to hold on,
pays. However when she requires affection she is determined and it is amusing to see her herd Dad into his armchair so she can be stroked.

Dad describes her quite well I think, as follows...

Do you think you own a cat?

Our Gemma is a little cat who does just what she wants
and lets us know just what and when and how

She wakes us up when she wants out, she yowls when she wants in
and when she wants affection it is 'NOW'

Affection, it is on her terms, don't pick her up to stroke
it's something that she really won’t endure

But while computing at my desk or working at my books
upon my knee invariably she'll claw

She prowls around the window ledges 'chatters' at the birds
she saunters round the roof both front and back

Up there she's queen of all she sees, this is her own domain
and no one is allowed, not even Zak

But then all cats are funny things, I think you will agree
that is, if you have ever had a cat

They're independent, proud, aloof, they tolerate us folk,
we just provide them with a habitat.

I rely on Mom for my affection and curl up quite happily whenever she sits down to watch TV, however, I do permit Dad to stroke me now and then. I notice that there is a mention of Gemma on the roof in Dad's verse, I will touch on that episode in a later chapter.

I decided that I should insert here, an example of one of the verses that I had sent to Mr. Perkins. Because of his age, and because it is the way all well bred cats behave, you will note that there is a note of respect in the verse.... Oh! Gemma would like me to include a verse of hers too...