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tribute to cat

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***

 It's night time. A loud, peculiar sound echoed from the road facing my door. I'd figure it would be the cats again... except, the sound i'd hear did not sound like any cat i've ever heard. I've heard several stray cats make baby-like noises before, but this time was different; it sounded like a "MYEOWCH!", which is distinct from the expected "weeeeaaaaoooow"s. Whether or not the previous sound came from a cat was unclear at the time; it was the faint meow right after that convinced me of the presence of a cat within the vicinity.

 Looking outside, she pointed towards the perpetrating force behind this strange noise. The outdoor LEDs provided decent lighting so that we were able to discern the beings which were revealed in front of us.

Standing on the cold, dark, paving, a dog.
The usual labrador.

Lying near the dog's lowered muzzle, a cat. The size was between that of a kitten and an adult feline.

 Long, pipe-ish object at hand, she went down to the paving and waved the object back and forth as a threatening gesture (don't worry, she didn't attack the dog, and was careful not to go too close to it). I could hear her "Shoo!"s and "Go away!"s as i watched from the doorstep. Eventually, i joined in, perhaps out of a collective behavior instinct... or something.

 For a while, the labrador froze in place until it eventually -- slowly, while peering back at us from time to time -- walked off. The dog would still loiter nearby, however, as if it was guarding its domain. We decided to station ourselves near the cat, because we saw some signs of life left in the little guy as seen in its slight, shivery movements.

"If he was here, he could carry the kitten to somewhere safe."

 I understand her point; rabies is a real issue where we live. But at the same time, i'm sorry. I'm sorry i didn't at least try to pick you up and warm your body with the life in my hands.

"I wonder how the dog's doing. Do you think it's hungry?"

 Whether the labrador was feral or not, i know not. I often see it lazily wandering and resting in different areas within the block. Sometimes i'd watch it chew on the leaves of a nearby monocotyledon. Perhaps it had an upset stomach during those times?

 Nonetheless, i do hope that, as this municipality develops, someone would finally establish an animal rescue and shelter program, and that many people would work or volunteer for it (i know i would like to). Perhaps a certain entity could spare some funds for this project which will benefit both the local fauna as well as the human population through rabies reduction efforts... Hey, maybe the idea just hasn't popped up in their minds yet! Maybe i could offer my idea formally... hmm... Thankfully, i've found that such a program already exists in a neighboring municipality of a much smaller human population, albeit with much room for improvement. At first, i was planning to make a snarky comment about this information, but nevermind that stupidity; i don't want to habitualize self comparison. (Besides, i think my previous comment on the certain entity was goofy enough.)

 With all the shaky strength it could muster, the little kitty dragged itself onto the dirt lining beside the road. It eventually found itself a snug fissure behind what happened to be the monocotyledon that the labrador chews on every now and then. I hope it was warm enough.

 The neighbor comes down onto the road.

"Good evening."

"Good evening. The dog attacked a small cat, and now it's hiding behind that plant."

"Oh, really?"

 The neighbor approached the plant and nudged the cat's body.

"Aren't younger cats usually reactive? I mean, even if they were sleeping, don't they usually react and make a noise upon being touched? Cos' it's not budging."

Tonight, a kitty cries out.
The kitty finds rest behind a plant.
Will it wake up tomorrow?
To be frank, part of me hopes it'll be able to rest peacefully.


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