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Pets can add such a wonderful dynamic to any family or individual. Even non-furry pets! As an adult now, my youngest son has maintained a large fish tank for many years. He also had a dog for a while after college.

As I ponder what comment to write on this poem about our pet cat, a flood of happy, angry, sad, and guilty emotions resurrects from this decades-old chapter of my life that contained “Anna.” Named by my oldest son, about 8 years old at the time, Anna the kitty (colored similarly to the photo above), was first encountered when my children and I were on a walk, the youngest children in a stroller. She was alone, meowing, and following us. There was no one else around. We scooped her up, knocked on a few doors, but no one claimed her. So, we brought her home.

My husband insisted she be kept outside the house. Since we lived in Lubbock, TX, a warm/dry climate, I did not object. We provided her with food, a bed, and lots of love. She also visited the neighbors and a few Tom-cats when she jumped the fence surrounding our yard. She had a couple litters of kitties which had to be given away. Eventually, one neighbor was not at all happy about Anna’s visits to her yard and the day came when we had to surrender her to the animal protective league. It was a very sad day for most of us.