It’s not as if we didn’t try to be friendly, but our neighbours were dog people and we favoured cats. They were territorial animals who, because they were too lazy to walk to the park, filled their backyard with shit, while we filled our boxes with the fanciest litter we could find and deposited the waste, carefully wrapped, in our green bin. They would challenge us whenever we dared venture out, and so we became indoor cats, looking through the window at the brutes next door, barking and biting . . . and besides, who really wants a friend that can kill you?Painting by Balthus.
Added to Magpie Tales #215.
ReplyDeleteWho wants more barking, biting dogs? Certainly not me - especially next door. There are a cluster of the barking ones in my environs already!
ReplyDeleteAstute and savvy. Well written.
ReplyDeleteaww..poor indoor cat..but that's the best way to survive.
ReplyDelete...so nicely written..
Ha! Ha! Your words roll well, and as for me I have them both!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I'm a dog person myself... But I still liked this! *smile*
ReplyDeleteThis poems brings out some very deep emotions. There is rage in these cat-loving speaker that oozes out of the lines... So much damaged caused by (blamed on?) the next door neighbors. Powerful.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I know a girl who was disfigured by a very angry, very jealous cat.
I am a dog person, but I like this. We all have friends that can kill us though either physically or with words.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly where you're coming from. My neighbours have 3 rottweiler dogs who shit like crazy, both in their kennel or surrounding garden ground they have to share with other neighbours. We're lucky in the face that we have a large garden and a long hedge divides us but that doesn't always stop the stench sweeping over in the summer! I don't know how the other neighbours cope with limited space and dog shit everywhere. I don't think you should have dogs that are locked up all day while you work full time. It's not fair on the poor animal.
ReplyDeleteI must add, however, that my cat, Boaby, is not in the least bit scared of the dogs and if Millie sneaks through the hedge (she makes a beeline for our garden if the chance arises, often leaving us 'presents' to clear up!) Boaby tears after her and claws at her face. Well, it IS supposed to be his space. Of course most cats are going to be terrified in their presence.
You finish with a very interesting line. Despite the dogs seeming to be very friendly, there are young kids in the house, two under five. Most dog attacks come from the family pet and I would never take any chances. Kids are pests and even dogs have breaking points! It's sadly one we hear of far too often.
I like cats...but I'm really a dog person at heart...
ReplyDelete