Poor George! With my new book coming out in under two weeks I have been a wee bit obsessed of late with all things cat because, of course, the book is all about a slightly haughty cat called Narelle who believes she is a queen.

So I’ve been sharing about the book, and I’ve been sharing cat jokes and I have collected up a lot of cat themed props for school visits and events.  All very exciting.

Except if you are a dog. And not just any dog, but George. My dog.  He is more than a little miffed by all this cat-themed  fuss. In fact, he thinks it’s a cat-astrophe.  And perhaps the ultimate insult was when I used him in a meme to promote that cat book:

 

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A post shared by Sally Murphy (@sallymurphyauthor)

Maybe, just maybe that was one insult too many. But, when times get tough, sometimes it’s good to work your thoughts out through writing. So George took himself off to the kennel, and wrote his way out of his funk. Here’s what he came up with:

I came into her life
Furry
And trembly
And ever so cute.
And she told me she loved me.

I sat on her lap
Woofled when she came near
Slept under her feet while she worked
And she told me she adored me.

I posed for her Instagram photos
I walked her on the beach
Made sure she got up every morning
And she told me I was the love of her life.

And THEN
I saw her new book.
With a cat
On the cover.
And that cat
On every page.
And she called that cat
Queen.
And I wondered
If her professions of love
Had been truthful

But then
She took me to the beach
and she cuddled me on the couch
And she whispered sweet nothings
And I knew no cat
Could ever take my place.
And she told me I was right.

(Copyright Sally Murphy, 2023)

He is indeed right. Because while I am super-duper excited to be bringing Queen Narelle into the world,  my fictional Narelle is never going to take the place of  warm, furry, George.  I’m so grateful to have him bringing joy – and a dash of silliness – into every day.

Another thing I’m grateful for is Poetry Friday, a day each week when poets all over the world post poetry goodness.  Today the host rounding up all this fun is Patricia.