I Posted A Picture Of A Cat
I posted a picture of a cute little cat,
When she dropped by for some yarn and a chat.
Why not a bear, or a moose, or a frog?
Why not a pooch, someone’s faithful old dog?
Why a cat and not a rat or a bat?
Or perhaps someone’s misbehaving and spoiled little brat?
Why not a turtle peacefully napping on a log?
Or what about little Susie’s 4-H prize-winning hog?
But instead, I shared a picture of a colorful cat.
And now don’t really know what to make of all that.
As usual, simply having a bit of tongue-in-cheek rhyming fun. At the expense of cats today, it would appear.
My story character friend Little Red Bear and I both love critters and animals of all shapes, colors, and sizes. It seems Little Red Bear collects a new animal guest every
time his neighbor Farmer Turner visits in the stories. Readers will recall that is how Swinestein came to live with Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie in the first collection of stories, and we can tell you now that having just completed the “Sockwash Soup” story for Red’s second adventures book coming in the fall, Little Red Bear is in store for more “gifts” from Farmer Turner.
And yes, we are adding a new cat character to the stories — Barney the Barn Cat. Maybe writing about Barney is what triggered this little poem earlier this afternoon. Of course, Little Red Bear does not have a ‘barn’, per se, so not sure how we will resolve that yet. But we will.
Do you have a cat or pet(s) of some sort? The health benefits of pet ownership are well documented, including physical, mental, and emotional improvements, from enhancing 
social skills to decreasing a person’s risk of a heart attack. Not to mention helping children to learn responsibility caring for a pet. A number of studies have demonstrated that having a pet in the home can actually lower a child’s likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33 percent.
As friends know, I am as extremely allergic to cats as some are to peanuts and shellfish. Maybe we just needed a cat in the house when I was growing up. But as they say, that cat’s already left the barn, so to speak. Or is that horses? Must be thinking about Barney the Barn Cat again. For more information on the benefits of pet ownership check out Animal Planet’s “Top 5 Health Benefits of Owning a Pet”.
Thanks always for visiting with us today! If you are considering adding a new pet to the family, please remember all of the wonderful and loving pets awaiting a forever and loving home in your local animal shelters. Your new best friend may be just a visit away! — Jim (and Red!)
If you enjoyed this piece, you may also enjoy → “I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart”
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“What greater gift than the love of a cat.” – Charles Dickens
“A kitten is, in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden.” – Robert Sowthey
Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends — “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”
“Cat – A pygmy lion who loves mice, hates dogs, and patronizes human beings.” – Oliver Herford
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“I’m not crazy. My reality is just different than yours.” – Cheshire Cat (Lewis Carroll, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’)
James Milson - Writing & Things 
Glad to hear he’s a hard worker. Of course, he will have things his own way, that’s the way cats do, 🙂
Let’s just hope he doesn’t show up in any of the stores. Ha! Ha!
Excited to hear more…..
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I started to reply that it would be safe to say Barney the Barn Cat will not be entering into any stores (or airplanes), but then Little Red Bear reminded me that Ethel McNickle, of “McNickle’s Famous Pickles & Pork Rinds” frequently leaves the front door to her roadside store open on warm spring and fall days. So, with the possible exception of Ethel’s place, then. And, there may be more than one “cat” coming into the next set of adventures, but that’s all we can say about that at the moment, except that it might be okay to feel a bit alarmed. Oh, dear. Have I said too much? 😮
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” Ethel McNickle, of “McNickle’s Famous Pickles & Pork Rinds”….ha! Love it! Excited to hear what kind of treats they will help themselves to. 🙂
Oh my, this book sounds like fun!!!
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Well, we never know how things will be received or viewed by others, of course, but we’re having a blast writing it! 😅
Thanks for all of your ongoing support and encouragement, Rosie! 🤠 🐻 ❤️
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Lovely poem! I know from having a dog how beneficial pets are to us, and I like to think we’re as beneficial to them, too. The pictures in your post are delightful!
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Thank you for visiting with us, Amy! Having had dogs for so many years, not having one now for the first time after my 15-year-old Yorkie Mix passed on a while ago, seems empty and like something is missing. They certainly do provide companionship and so much more! Planning to go find someone in need of a home as soon as I get things resettled here. 🤠 🐻 🐶
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I’m more of dog person James, and as for heart health one of my dogs picks up on precursors to attack and on one occasion it literally saved my life. He’s not trained he just knows.. great post James as always
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Thanks always for stopping by to visit, Patrick! I am a life-long dog person myself, and truly believe that with our shared evolution, humans and dogs, over thousands of years, that a special, unique, and unseen bond has developed which science has yet to fully explore. There is simply something special about them that goes beyond rational belief and acceptance. I always love seeing the Instagram photos of your little companions, and hope they all stay alert and on the job for you! 🤠 🐻 ❤️
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James, I don’t think I have to tell you how excited I am your next story will have a cat, do I? Ha! 🙂
I can’t wait to meet Barney the Barn Cat in your next story. He reminded me of a story growing up.
Our dad thought it would be a good idea to bring us home a few barn cats he found. Barn cats are nothing like domesticated house cats. They are not trained and very wild. We didn’t have them long, just for a few days. Mom couldn’t take the clean up and, needless to say, they were not too friendly. I’m sure Barney will be much better and nicer than those two.
I agree on having pets to enrich one’s life. I will add though, pets are not for everyone. For those that love animals, but not able to take care of them, they’re many organizations out there to donate to and help. For example, I love Beagles. We are not choosing to have one at this stage of our lives, but I try and think of all the places I can help promote to keep them safe. (Beagles are commonly used for testing and that just sickens me.) 😦
Thanks for the update and excited to see your new story someday.
Rosie
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Thanks for visiting with us, Rosie! Barney is a Barn Cat, used to working for a living and having his way, so what can I say? Your expectations may not be far off. Stay tuned . . . . 🤠 🐻 🐱
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