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         "Gary" Stapp
 
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                                                                                           |  | 
            
               |      Photo
                        by Brian Lee
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               | Editor's Pick:
 Can't
                  find God in the usual places ...churches, books or preachers' faces?
 Keep on searching and don't give up,
 You may just find Him in the eyes of a
                  pup.
 --
                  Submitted by Richard Callfrom Longwood, Florida
 e-mail: rcall@rcall.org
 
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               | 
  
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               | Let's
                  help that dog out in the cold, he's brave and bold, but fast losing hold,
 Hell! What does it matter?
 One dog less, all the better!
 For only we are blessed.
 We've
                  got other things to do,don't you agree? Oh! I do,
 and he's nothing but trouble,
 So, who for him would lose that ruble?
 But,
                  you're' all scientists!you know the value of the neutron
 and that of a gene. Nature you know
 can be sweet or mean, how then,
 do you underestimate the value of him?
 He's
                  part of nature. He was happy,and we've damaged his home.
 He's part of nature. He was happy,
 and we've chewed on him,
 right down to his bone.
 Now don't you see nature torn?
 She
                  will repair and in doing so,for us she won't care,
 For fear of nature at least, give him a day,
 then you'll see our survival ensured,
 in a grand, grand way!
 --
                  Submitted by Abhishek Nayak from Bangalore,
                  Karnataka, Indiae-mail:
                  abhisheknayak@angelfire.com
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               | 
  
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               | BLANCHE Dane
                  Street's queenis on her throne
 She much prefers
 it on her own
 Unless of course
 you've come to rub
 Or brush, or coo,
 or offer grub
 Then
                  Blanche unleashesall her charms
 And twirls and curls
 and so disarms
 Whoever's offering
 the goods
 That we forget
 her many moods:
 The
                  early hissesswipes and scratches
 Head-butts, nips,
 white fur in patches
 Bunny-hopping
 down the stairs
 The spirit-cat
 of icy glares
 Regurgitationscatch off guard
 And mediations
 can come hard
 But would we shed
 our cat of snow?
 Not for a million
 Heavens, no!
 --
                  Submitted by Kathleen Mortensenfrom Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
 e-mail: katkev78@canoemail.com
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               | 
  
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               | For
                  a thousand years it's just the same
 Cats have the wit
 and dogs have the game
 The
                  dog goes for a biteand hits the door
 The cat meows
 and scurries down the floor
 A
                  horrendous fightnot for eyes to see
 The dog's on the ground
 the cat's in the tree
 The
                  cat fakes peaceand before you know
 The cat makes a jump
 and the dog's ready to go
 They
                  both wind upwith cuts and bruises
 But who's the winner
 Neither loses
 A
                  tie it isa tie it must be
 So that is why
 this goes on for eternity
 --
                  Submitted by Maria from Peachtree City, Georgiae-mail: nutnbutmaria@yahoo.com
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               | 
  
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               | MY
                  OL' FRIEND I
                  think I'll go inside now.Would you like to come?
 The winter's sun is setting low.
 Inside I'm brewing tea,
 Would you care for some?
 We will stoke the fire and press our flesh
 Against the flames' warm glow.
 There's no reason our talk should end,
 We'll ignore the season's early dusk
 For inside there is plenty left to do
 Before our beds do beckon us.
 Now
                  at this moment, memories callWith all their factors here.
 The weary way we favor our
 Muscled limbs from head to toe
 Gives pause to long past deeds undone
 And those we cherish most.
 Remember when with youthful step
 The rabbit could not us out run?
 We hunted him in spring's fresh breeze
 Through summer's endless heat, then
 We watched the birds in futile flight
 Avoiding winter's certain approach
 Heading for the southern light.
  Well
                  now, old friend,We hug before the fire.
 In the flames we see ourselves
 The way we used to be.
 Don't take me wrong,
 I love you still.
 I most certainly always will.
 You've been my best friend
 Through all these years,
 No need for it to end.
 Lick me now, my old dog,
 The way you always do
 When we celebrate good news
 With joyful celebration,
 Shaking all over with reckless abandon.
 Ahhh,
                  enough of this, but it's been fun.It's time for your evening bowl.
 You must be hungry by now,
 We will eat our meal
 And rest our traveled bones
 And shun the evening's void
 To rise tomorrow morn
 The way we always have
 With truthful hearts and renewed strength
 That life is good to friends.
 --
                  Submitted by E.E.Biller from New Castle, PAe-mail:
                  E.Biller@worldnet.att.net
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               | 
  
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               | WHO
                  IS SHE? Her
                  eyes are like diamonds that are shiny and
                  brightHer hair is so soft and black as the night
 Her legs are long and her body is slender
 When you hold her close she is warm and
                  tender
 Hiding
                  amongst the shadows so tallLooking much closer she's not there at all
 Always in trouble with her curious way
 She stays out all night and sleeps in all
                  day
 Creeps
                  into your room and sits up on your bedGives gentle kisses on your nose and your head
 Always expects you to open the door
 There isn't a sound as she walks on the
                  floor
 She
                  will not come over when you callWalks straight past as if you're not there at
                  all
 If you want to work she wants to play
 Doesn't care if you forget her birthday
 Is
                  she your wife or is she your loverIs she a friend or is she your mother
 She is none of those things I can tell you that
 This beautiful creature is only the cat
 --
                  Submitted by Virginia Gronow from Australiae-mail:
                  virginia@ausnetinfo.com.au
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               | 
  
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               | DEAR
                  DYING CAT  I
                  saw your form, dear dying catOn a winter's night unsnowing
 Lying there across my path.
 I rushed from my car unknowing
 Of when you'd met with the fatal blow
 That left you lying still.
 Whether 'twas swift or painfully slow,
 Your dying took not your will
 For crouching beside you, I saw you respire
 And chose to pick you up.
 I desperately hoped you wouldn't expire
 As your head I did gently cup.
  I
                  searched for one who would surely missAffections you must have shown,
 And I felt somehow I'd be remiss
 To let you die alone.
 So door to door I nearly ran,
 But nobody gave a care.
 Your eyes I frequently would scan
 To see the light still there.
 But then as I was cradling you,
 You breathed your final breath.
 I sensed your soul release. It flew,
 And I was holding death.
  Oh,
                  could you tell, dear dying cat,Before your soul did pass,
 I cared? I quietly grieved, and with that,
 I placed your corpse on the grass.
  --
                  Submitted by Andrea Dietrich from Pleasant Grove,
                  Utahe-mail: Pandie55@hotmail.com
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               | 
  
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               | SO
                  LUCKY He
                  was standing on the corner,Cold and all alone.
 Shiverring from the weather,
 Then I thought I heard a moan.
 I
                  walked a little closer,His confidence to win.
 If I hadn't known any better,
 I'd thought I saw him grin.
 Come
                  here, let me see you.You will be just fine.
 Come walk along with me.
 I'll take you home to dine.
 We'll
                  dry you up and clean you.And put you near the fire.
 I'll try to find your family.
 If that is your desire.
 What?
                  You have none?You've been alone too long?
 Well, then I will just keep you here.
 And help you grow real strong.
 My,
                  but you are beautiful.Your white hair glistens now.
 I am so glad I found you.
 Can you speak? "Bow Wow!"
 My
                  white Samoyed.Faithful and true.
 A home you have found.
 I am just as lucky as you.
 --
                  Submitted by Floria Kelderhouse from New Lenox,
                  Illinoise-mail: snnipp7@aol.com
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               | 
  
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               | OLLY'S
                  LICKS Like
                  a cross between massage and warm sponge bathThat a loving mother tenderly applies
 Along the calves, round knees and lower thighs.
 My legs are a lake you seem content to
                  lap.
 I
                  cannot ask what drives you to this task.Perhaps I taste of salt, or could it be
 (not some canine-tempting scent on me!)
 Rather, fond show of esteem in which I
                  bask?
 My
                  dear cat's tongue is rough and not so moist.At time she annoys when licking at my cheek.
 But you, my lovely pet, I do beseech . ..
 Bathe my arms; with wet anoint my feet!
 --
                  Submitted by Andrea Dietrich from Pleasant Grove,
                  Utahe-mail: Pandie55@hotmail.com
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               | 
  
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               | P*I*T*T*E*R
                  PATTER C*R*I*T*T*E*R I
                  see you've found your wings today...Maybe the kitchen floor is slippery,
 my little pitter patter critter.
 Maybe you'll end up doing the splits
 while crawling into the kittie litter;
 Maybe you will learn
 what it means when I say no
 and shake my finger so...
 My little pitter patter critter.
 --
                  Submitted by Michelle Sdrakasfrom Vancouver, B.C., Canada
 e-mail: michizz0@hotmail.com
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               | 
  
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               | PETS Three
                  lovely dogs we've gotAs for cats we have not,
 And now a new addition
 To keep with tradition.
 We
                  had four dogs beforeBut, sadly, they're no more ...
 Old age took them away,
 A loss still felt today.
 We
                  don't replace a petAs each one that we get
 Is always a new friend
 That's faithful to the end.
 With
                  love that never failsEvery wag of their tails
 Shows us the way they feel ...
 There's nothing they conceal.
 So
                  look after them wellFor who can really tell
 If your actions may compel
 God, to send you to Hell.
 --
                  Submitted by A V Fentonfrom Empangeni, South Africa
 e-mail: mwfenton@iafrica.com
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               | 
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               | SCOUT Your
                  eyes....no surprise
 I drown in them,
 so liquid so smooth,
 they move me
 soothe me
 draw me in and out
 like breathing...
 My
                  head restson your chest
 and rises with the air.
 The hair
 tickles me
 and I laugh so loud,
 so long, so proud
 to have you...
 Your
                  tongue carresses,messes up my hair
 but I don't care,
 don't mind the licks
 (so sick to ask my brother),
 just so long as you stay,
 lie where you lay
 and keep me warm...
 --
                  Submitted by Kyle Issleb from Chicago, ILe-mail: kheili@hotmail.com
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               | 
  
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               | You
                  came forward to me, and I took you in my arms,
 Your brown and sparkling eyes,
 told of wonderous charms.
 My
                  heart began to poundenclosed in your embrace,
 The look of pure adoration
 showed clear upon your face.
 And
                  in your eyes, a glow, I saw,of passions yet unleashed,
 Of devotion, and undying love,
 of wonders ne'er to cease.
 The
                  electric of your touchran straight into my heart
 To feel your body close to mine,
 never more we would part.
 Your
                  breath, so hot against my skin,sent tingles down my spine,
 I know, together, we will be,
 until the end of time.
 For
                  I am yours, from this day on,I commit myself to you,
 each passing day we will spend,
 finding treasures yet anew.
 I
                  know you will protect meand keep me from all harm,
 Your devotion to me unsurpassed,
 With a love to keep me warm.
 For
                  though your coat is shaggy,your nose wet all the time,
 The one thing that I know for sure,
 I love this dog of mine
  --
                  Submitted by Ann Dawson from Sussex, UKe-mail: anngd@anngd.co.uk
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               | 
  
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               | You
                  may never have heard of the Guardian Hound, His strength or his undying care,
 You may never have heard of the sharp burs of
                  hate,
 That try him, and tangle his hair.
 You
                  may never have heard of the collar of doubt,That binds him with every stride,
 Or known of the loyalty given to friends
 By this most amazing canine.
 You
                  may never hear tell of the Saga of Kris,His courageous and elegant mate,
 Or the way that she runs with him under the
                  stars,
 To lick at the war-wounds of fate.
 If
                  you've heard of the hound, well, then, give me a
                  call,I'm trying to start a resistance,
 To all of the arrogant men who insist
 On debunking his very existence.
 I'm
                  sure we could prove of him, us two together,If faithful in all that we say,
 People like knowing there's somebody up there
 Who still grasps the pleasures of play.
 --
                  Submitted by Becky Adams from Grand Ledge, MIe-mail: Salem667@aol.com
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               | 
  
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               | I
                  am an old hound dog, and a proud one a that I sit and I howl and I growl at the cat.
 It's not much of a job, but it can pass time
 So I sit in my corner and make silly rhymes
 I
                  once was a hunter, a fast vicious oneI was feared and revered and loved a ton
 But still, I can hunt now, so let's have a go.
 I know one more prey here that never will
                  know.
 I
                  tense all my muscles and crouch 'hind the treeGet ready for lift off... now 1, 2, 3!
 It's fun to watch the cat go flying out in the
                  yard
 And don't worry, don't fret, he won't land that
                  hard
 But
                  his lesson he'll learn, and alert he will stayBut you know what they say, every dog has his
                  day
 Heh heh heh, yeah, I'm mean, yeah, I'm not nice
 But it gives that old Tom just a little
                  spice.
 The
                  people will scold me and tell me I'm badBut I still can think back and think of fun I've
                  had
 Cause you see, though I'm old, and though I am
                  tough
 The sight of a Fraidey Cat, is worth it
                  enough
 --
                  Submitted by Amber Wolfe from Eagle River,
                  Alaskae-mail: Jr_Iditarod@hotmail.com
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               | 
  
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               | When
                  my day is trying and troubles pile up I get consolation from my loving pup.
 She is always there, my companion, my friend
 showing me affection with no end.
 A
                  blue film covers eyes that once were bright,that's okay, I'll be her sight.
 This unconditional love has the strength of
                  steel
 as far as I'm concerned I got the best of the
                  deal.
 On
                  a cold winter night she keeps me warm and
                  secureand when I think she gives so much, she keeps on
                  giving more.
 I'd like to know if she's happy here with me,
 Oh if she could talk it would be the best
                  company.
 My
                  little furry friend is slowing down, she's growing
                  old,as I hold her near my heart, there are memories
                  untold.
 I feel that little heartbeat, as she licks my face
                  I beam,
 how she relies on me, I'm the coffee she's the
                  cream.
 There
                  are friends and friends, yet not one has known me
                  best,for my little furry friend has outdone all the
                  rest.
 So I rest my case, I've bragged a lot I know,
 just want to tell you 'bout my dog and why I love
                  her so.
 --
                  Submitted by Lucille DeMarco from Yonkers, New
                  Yorke-mail: lolagam@gateway.net
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               | 
  
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               | FRAIDY
                  CAT You're
                  such a little fraidy cat,Jumping at every little noise like that.
 You disappear from my side at a child's cry
                  outside,
 Every little sound makes you want to run and
                  hide.
 I
                  wonder what kind of life you had,Before I saw you makes me sad.
 You find a dark corner and there you stay,
 Hoping the bad sounds will all go away.
 Let
                  me hold you, dear little one, and stroke your
                  fur,And hear your happy little purr.
 Allow me to give you a lot of love and
                  affection,
 I promise, sweet cat, there will be no more
                  rejection
 Trust
                  me, Sweete Pie, it will be okay,I will make those bad sounds go away.
 In my arms you will always be safe,
 And no longer be a scared little waif.
 --
                  Submitted by Nora J. Dennis from Phoenix,
                  Arizonae-mail: Kleiaa@aol.com
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               | A
                  DOG'S MEMORIES The
                  day they brought you home I remember so well,My life went from calm, quiet, to a living
                  hell,
 The first day you slept while it was still daylight
                  so bright,
 When it turned dark then you cried the whole damn
                  night.
 I
                  got up to see what all the fuss and crying was all
                  about,But they closed the door and for some reason they
                  kept me out,
 The days turned to months and you finally calmed
                  down,
 It became more tolerable to have you
                  around.
 Then
                  one day while lying on the floor you started to
                  crawl,You got a big kick out of pestering me and chasing
                  me down the hall,
 Then to my amazement you stood up like I do when I
                  beg,
 You walked from the couch and wobbled and fell on
                  my leg
 It
                  went steadily down hill from for me having you
                  there,Like a flea you seemed to always be in my hair,
 I put up with you and stayed out of your way,
 But things changed suddenly that one memorable
                  day
 You
                  played a dirty trick on me and gave me a hug and
                  said I love you,That is the one thing i never expected you would
                  ever do,
 From that day on we were the very best of
                  friends,
 I would look forward to each day together we would
                  spend
 I
                  watched you go off to school as you got on the
                  bus,I didn't like you gone but I know that you
                  must,
 But every day when you got home we ran and we
                  played,
 Always with you no matter what I always
                  stayed
 I
                  remember the day you got so very sick and almost
                  died,I wanted so bad to be there close by you side,
 I stuck by you no matter what happened the good and
                  the bad,
 Through the happy times and even when things were
                  very sad
 The
                  years passed like a flash and one day I was
                  old,One morning as I lay there by your bed I felt so
                  cold,
 You ran to your dad and said come dad something is
                  wrong,
 He came in and with a tear in his eye said he
                  doesn't have long
 You
                  held my head and cried as lay there dying, my head
                  on your arm,Though I was dying I never felt so safe, loved and
                  so warm,
 Then my eyes dimmed and I heard you sobbing and
                  felt the tears fall,
 The last thing I remember is that little boy
                  chasing me down the hall
 You
                  don't know it, but I still look down on you after
                  all these many years,And when someone mentions my name I see in your
                  eyes a little tear,
 It is nice to know that you hold fond memories of
                  us still,
 We loved each other and in our hearts we always
                  will.
 --
                  Submitted by Dwight Millsap from Glenwood, Iowae-mail: LDM@aol.com
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               | 
  
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               | DEBBIE'S
                  FRIENDS It's
                  something few can understandanother secret of the soul
 an ounce of love to "Man's Best Friend"
 can make a persons life seem whole
 Each
                  day their lives are filled with joyas they jog among the trees
 she's there to lead them on their way
 their time to feel at ease
 They
                  give their trust completelythey ask for but a touch
 and when she needs some comfort
 they give her twice as much
 They
                  do not judge the way you lookor the status you command
 they know the greatness of their friend
 by the touch of her loving hand
 These
                  two would give up anythingfor this lady they call friend
 never would they turn away
 together to the end
 --
                  Submitted by Jim Serviolo from San Diego, CAe-mail: jserviolo@hmc.cc
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               | 
  
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               | MY
                  CAT SMOKEY Basking
                  in the glow of the golden globe that sits above the
                  world,he enjoys each minute of this day, and allows
                  himself to purr.
 He lays stretched out without a single solitary
                  care,
 and only relies on what he knows, which is that his
                  food and owner
 (his most prized possessions) will surely be
                  there.
 For
                  him, his gray fur and his emerald green eyes only
                  make up a cat,and his life is so much simpler then mine.
 For all he has to do is lay and stare at the
                  sky,
 and all he ever has to think about is me, myself,
                  and I.
 --
                  Submitted by Andrea Green from Aurora, COe-mail: b.s.b@netzero.net
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               | 
  
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               |    OUR
                        CAT AND OUR GUEST Sylvester
                        sneaked behind the couch,and settled in an impish crouch;
 to catch my neighbor unaware,
 and nip an ankle, soft and bare.
 Now
                        Agnus had a fear of cats,she counted them the same as rats;
 but this quaint fact I did not know,
 until Sylvester made it so.
 A
                        nip is nothing new to me,at lunch time I get two or three;
 and if lunch comes a little late,
 I sometimes get from six to eight.
 Photo
                     by Nick
                     Sharrer   But
                     nips were nothing Agnus knew, it's something flowers never do;
 and even pictures on her walls,
 were void of teeth, or claws, or paws.
 I
                     thought my cat was rather shy,he'd run and hide when folks said "hi";
 so why should I have spent the labor,
 to mention him to my new neighbor?
 At
                     any rate, as she came in,Sylvester waited in the den;
 and did not make a peep or sound,
 to let us know he was around.
 "So
                     glad you came," I just had said,when Agnus froze my mind with dread;
 her eyelids drew so gaping wide,
 the lashes wound around inside.
 Her
                     face seemed carved from whitish marble,and from her throat there rose a warble;
 but this brief pose was soon enhanced,
 as prancing feet both kicked and
                     danced.
 About
                     this time I made a quester,and near her feet espied Sylvester;
 he stood aghast with whiskers quaking,
 his bristled fur about him shaking.
 A
                     piercing scream was then too much,Sylvester could not cope with such;
 he circled twice around the room,
 which made my neighbor's hairdo
                     bloom.
 Upon
                     the couch she sprang with fright,my cat still fixed within her sight;
 then zoomed into the air with fear,
 and clasped onto my chandelier.
 Somehow
                     we managed to survive,each one escaping still alive;
 and though my cat still sneaks some nips,
 when Agnus comes, he shuts his lips.
 --
                     Submitted by Timothy R. Oesch from Oak Ridge,
                     TNe-mail:
                     oeschplace@sprintmail.com
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