“A dog? You thought bringing a dog into a cat house was a good idea?”
“He needs a home.”
“It’s a DOG.”
“He’s not an it, he’s a he.”
“Are you keeping him?”
“Yes, if he wants to stay.”
“What’s wrong with you?” asked the cat.
“Nothing. Dogs and cats can get along.”
“Why would they want to?”
“He’s a nice dog and he’s having a hard time. He needs a home.”
“And you said that we can’t play with him or kill him, right?”
“Right. You definitely can not kill him and chasing, or jumping on him, is out of the question.”
“So no fun.”
“If that’s your idea of fun, then no. No fun.”
“Are you trying to get rid of us?”
“Don’t be silly. I love all of you. I’m just asking you to be nice to someone who needs help.”
“He’s a DOG.”
“Be nice and I’ll get you a book on mice and hamsters. One with a lot of pictures.”
“If you’re going to bribe me, you’ll have to get me live mice and hamsters. Then we can talk about it.”
“You know I won’t do that.”
“Why are you messing up a good thing?”
“I’m not messing anything up, I’m simply…adding to it.”
“You can’t possibly believe that.”
“I do, and I’m counting on you to help keep him safe, until everyone gets used to him.”
“You jest.”
“I jest not.”
“Why would I ever do that?”
“Because I asked you to do it.”
“And?”
“I do everything you ask of me,” she said.
“Yes, but you’re supposed to do that. You’re a servant.”
“Well, you’re supposed to do this, because it’s important to me.”
“Will you get me a rabbit?”
“No. Definitely NOT.”
“Then what incentive do I have? I mean look at him. He’s in the corner, surrounded by cats. What’s his name?”
“Tippy.”
“Does he fall over?
“No. At least not that I know of.”
“Lynx is keeping him safe,” he said, staring at the cat, sitting in front of the dog.
“You need to tell the others to leave him alone.”
“Can they at least sleep on him?”
“I’ll ask him,” she sighed. “He’s sweet, so he probably won’t mind.”
“Let me know what he has to say because cats like to sleep on everything..”
“I will let you know..”
“He seems okay.”
“He is okay. He’s very nice.”
“Fine,” he said, “but think about those mice and hamsters.”
“I won’t. Not ever.”
“Okay, everyone leave the dog alone. She likes him and he’s staying. Be nice. He’s kind of one of us now.” he said.
About fifteen cats looked at him and laughed…which is a strange sound, believe me.
“I’m serious. She loves us but the dog needs a home, so she’s letting him stay and since we all live here, she’s asking us to be fair. So paws off the dog. No biting, scratching, or killing him.”
There was a collective groan and some of the cats walked away. A grey tabby asked if licking him was permitted and no one knew what to say.
“Well,” he said. That went better than I expected. They really like you, you know. You can tell. The dog’s still breathing.”
“I love all of them,” she said, picking the dog up. I’ll just put him in the bedroom and close the door, so he can rest for a bit. That was probably difficult for him.”
“Whatever,” he said.
She put the dog on the bed and Lynx jumped up next to him. She thanked Lynx and went back into the other room.
“I’m grateful for your help,” she said.
“Not grateful enough to get me a rabbit.”
“No. You’re right about that.”
“You humans kill absolutely everything but you can’t get me a rabbit?”
“I don’t kill things.”
“Where are the treats?”
“Right here,” she said, putting a bowl in front of him. “Don’t eat too many. They’re treats, not dinner.”
“What about the tub of ice cream you were eating when I got here.”
“Fine,” she sighed.
“I’ll do my rounds and then come back and stay here tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“It doesn’t have to be a big rabbit.”
“NO RABBITS!”
“What about the hamster?”
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Rethinking Life 
Written
on November 30, 2020