Mangy Menagerie

Mangy Menagerie 

(A series of acrostodes)

[disclaimer: I took poetic liscence with breeds. Rufio is a striped tabby I realized to late. Dawn was an American shorthair which is mixed  with sable Burmese cats = Bombays. Web pics look just like her ]

I

Oliver

Owned by my wife before we met

Lived at her parents acreage 

Inside cat almost human

Very smart very loved 

Eventually got sick

Rough time for Esther

II

Dawn

Black sleek smooth as satin

Once in a shelter rescued at Christmas 

My sister our housemate wasn't so sure

But soon spoiling like hyper auntie she is

As soon as snow left loved outdoors

Yet sadly would not stay in the yard

Curiosity climbing cheerfully caperin
Atop the fence up a tree on the roof
Took off taken by traffic RIP

III

Tobey

Him-a-lay-(a)'n all day long

Inscrutable intelligence 

Master of the zen art of being a cat

Also a rescue--from cousins' menagerie 

Lets you touch him...

As long as your fingers smell safe

You'd think he's a miniature lion groomed

Always looking for the softest place 

Nap times a holy quest to a Himalayan 

IV

Rufio

Calico kitty

Always curious

Leaping into laps without warning

If he could talk he'd yell 'Bangarang'

Crazy eyed galloping the jungle in his mind

Over obstacles and under foot
Rub his ears and he melts
Up in the cat tree he is King of all he sees
Folded boneless pretzel when he sleeps
Inching innocently toward my plate
One paw on my knee feed me eyes

V

Rolly

Thin

Outside on her own

Refused to stop asking for help

Took our kindness stole our hearts

Other cats beware her personal bubble

Inside her was a secret

She was pregnant

Every day her belly grows
She puts mean in me(a)nagerie
Heaven help the boy that takes her food
Extreme cuddler
Looks like a turtle--chocolate and caramel
Litle nutty too