11 Writers Who Really Loved Cats

THE POWER OF THE DOG

~Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years that nature permits
Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers, or loaded guns.
Then you will find--its your own affair
But--you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You still discover how much you care
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em the more do we grieve;
For when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

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~Lord Byron

61 posted on 03/14/2013 9:44:34 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)

To: Slings and Arrows

62 posted on 03/14/2013 9:49:15 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)

To: Slings and Arrows

The writing team of Miller and Lee are also very fond of cats.

Perhaps they are not considered literature but they have helped me while away a few pleasant hours.

63 posted on 03/14/2013 9:53:53 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Promotional Fee Paid for by "Ouchies" The Sharp, Prickly Toy You Bathe With!)

64 posted on 03/14/2013 10:08:09 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)

I had a black cat who was an absolute sweetheart. (And a drooler, but that’s another story.) Regrettably, she died young. RIP Dizzy.

65 posted on 03/14/2013 10:10:35 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)

To: Slings and Arrows

"Imposter!"

I prefer the term, "thread bomber" ;-)

66 posted on 03/15/2013 5:44:38 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)

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