We’re not just housecats. We were lions once.
“Here comes Rex. He thinks he’s king of the hill, but he is no king. A regal name, but the title doesn’t fit him,” says Pete, the cat. Pete goes on to say to Repeat, the other cat, “A lot more of us, cats, here than dogs. So, cats should rule.” “Yeah, cats rule!” says Repeat.
Pete and Repeat have been part of the household for a very long time. They are two chubby cats with yellow marbled eyes. They look exactly alike. Thus, their names, Pete and Repeat.
Rex is a stately and sturdy golden retriever. He is a very regal-looking dog with a golden coat that just glistens in the sun. Rex sets the standard of pedigree, and most dogs look up to him. He is a leader, for his proud stature defines him as such. A proud and stately dog.
One thing about dogs and cats is that most of them don’t get along. Dogs don’t like cats, and cats could care less about dogs. Dogs tend to be more sociable because they like to run with the pack. Cats are a bit more independent and can live alone, if necessary. But cats can be social but usually only with other cats. Will Pete and Repeat allow Rex to share their space? Can Rex give up some of his dominant behavior to get along with Pete and Repeat? Let’s just watch how all this plays out. There will be rivalry, no doubt about it.
Rex is new to the household and is claiming his throne. Rex says to Pete and Repeat, “I’m king of this house. I rule this place. I’m top dog. I am the boss, and don’t you forget it.” Pete says, “You’re not the boss, and you are not over us. We were here first. We are the favored pets and don’t you forget that, too.”
“I know it’s hard for you lazy housecats to submit to my reign, but you must; otherwise you will be deported. Not abroad but to the local pound, which is only a phone call away,” said Rex in a delightful yet threatening tone of voice.
“It’s either shape up or ship out. The reason I am king is because I have purpose. I’m the watchdog. That makes me the top dog. I do something, but you lazy cats do nothing. Well, this is exactly how I see you two cats…” Pete says quietly to Repeat, “Here come the insults and the putdowns. Don’t say anything. I’ll handle this first round.”
“Hey, lazy housecats, anything going on? Probably not. All you do is laze around all day long doing nothin’.” Pete responds, “We do have something to do. Nothin’! That’s what us housecats do is nothin’. Our purpose is to be lazy, do-nothin’ housecats. Nothin’ more.”
Rex says to Pete, “I am of the highest breed. We, retrievers, are smarter than most other dogs. Certainly smarter than any cat. I’m one smart dog and you’re two dumb cats. Look at you two. Dumb and Dumber. Maybe too dumb to learn anything. But I’ll give you a chance to prove yourselves, if you can.” Rex shakes his head and laughs out loud.
Pete says, “We are smart too. We know how to hunt. It’s just our nature. We can survive alone if we need to. I have never seen you dogs do much alone. Always running with the pack. There are two of us, and we are twice as smart as you. We were fierce cats at one time. We were lions once!”
Rex laughingly says, “You two, lions once? Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha. I don’t think so. You’re fat and lazy. What happened to your roar? All I hear is meow, but no roar. Come on, roar for me, lions once. Pete, let’s hear it from you first.” Pete attempts. “Meow, roar, meow.” “So, that’s your roar? What a fierce sounding cat! I bet all the mice are laughing too. They’re all running in fear from that ferocious roar. Come on, Pete, bellow it out. I’m waiting.” Pete opens his mouth and sounds ‘Roar, Roar, Roar, Roar!” “Now, that sounds like a lion,” said Rex.
“Repeat, you’re up next. Come on, show me the lion in you.” Bashfully, Repeat loudly and fiercely bellows, ” Roar, Roar, ROAR!” “Now, that’s a lion’s roar for sure. Repeat, you may be more of a lion than Pete. Sorry, Pete.”
Copyright 2025 Frank Clark