Washington County 'Little Washington' Pennsylvania
 Genealogy and Family History

My Beagle-buddies taught me well
Licked my face but never kicked my tail 
They kept me warm when I could not
We'd play-fight, but they loved me lots. 

We lived in a barn, it was so much fun 
Running, playing until the day was done 
On cool nights we all slept in a huddle 
Mom kept us close where we'd cuddle. 

Then one day there came a lone man 
He lifted me up and laid me in his hand
Loved my fur, a golden orange so bright
Took me away before day turned to night. 

Good-bye to my beagles, we rode away 
This great big man who had little to say
But near his body he kept me from harm
Just 8-weeks old, tucked under his arm. 

At my new house I quickly learned 
To that barn I'd never have to return
This man was my buddy, my friend
From morning through to day's end. 

With my legs wrapped tightly 'round
I'd wrestle like a kitten-beagle-hound
On his arm I'd play-kick, softly bite 
Jump around, and quickly alight. 

Then, scamper across slippery floors 
Come back, and play some more! 
Soon, though, it was time for rest 
I'd climb higher, sleep on his chest. 

SONNY & THE SURGING CHEERS 

From the box, music, cheering here 
"AFHV" made me come quickly near!

"We got laughs from coast to coast--
to make you smile...
A real life look at each of you--
to capture all that style...
You're the red, white and blue --
The funny things you do-- 
America, America -- This is you!
Stories from your friends next door--
they never told.
You might be a star tonight--
so let the camera roll !
You're the red, white and blue--
Oh, the funny things you do-- 
America, America -- This is you!"

Upon his lap, I'd hear his chuckles 
From deep in his belly, like bubbles 
With my friend, I'd watch that show 
Giggles from the heart, never outgrow. 

Near the end, I'd slip off, disappear 
Munching Friskies amid lasting cheers 
In the kitchen, lick my face clean 
Smooth my fur to its highest sheen. 

Then, from somewhere way deep 
Building fast from legs to my feet 
A cascading, crazy strong surge
Until I could not resist the urge.

My tail, flicking slow to each side 
As I prepared for predictable ride 
Head low, butt down, calculating 
For my nightly run, without braking. 

My buddy laughed at all my antics
Freed me when claws caught fabrics
Petted me, but left me on the floor
So I could chase shadows some more. 

Without even a breathless pant 
I cornered and skid in my rant 
Then, quite pleased with myself 
I'd jump up to rest upon a shelf. 

There, or in the basement I'd wait 
Till clock showed 23:00 on its face 
Then I'd stretch, and yell a "MEOW!" 
To tell him, "It's time for bed NOW." 

SONNY AND "THAT WOMAN"

It was always just me and just "Him"
Until "That Woman" just came right in!
She wasn't so bad, but I kept away
I just preferred "Him" in most every way
My lone man had found his mate
Loved her though he found her late. 

I was already five when she arrived
Around her, His love-feelings thrived
"Sonny, meet Debra," my Man said,
I turned away, my meows unsaid.

I still preferred my favorite man 
Strongest Officer in all the land 
I'll live with her, if we all must 
I'll slowly give to her my trust.

She acts respectful of my space 
Gives me love, with all her grace 
Talks to me softly, all day long 
Her voice to my ears, like a song. 

Let me tell you, my manners are the best 
As my Mom and beagle-buddies stressed.
"Practice most genteel rules through life; 
Always strive to avoid bullies and strife.” 

"Impress them that you are best behaved 
You'll always have the love you craved. 
Never climb where you shouldn't belong; 
Being a bully doesn't mean you are strong." 

SONNY RECALLS GANDOLPH 

That wasn't so with the little tabby-cat 
Who got his nose into 'this and that'
Russian-blue and oh so sparkly white
He barged right into my life one night 
He sat in my food tray, promptly peed! 
I'd teach him cat-rules he would need! 

"Gandolph the Grey", as he was called 
Brought kitten memories I fondly recalled 
My beagle-buddies who made me a Boss-- 
"Follow the Rules or you'll make me cross!"

"Now, Gandolph, let me set you straight 
I'm oldest; I eat first; No, you must wait! 
Don't you see the disgusted look I get? 
When all the Rules you quickly upset!" 

Gandolph listened to all lessons I taught 
As he grew, he took my advice to heart. 
But then, set in his ways he had become 
"Rules, Rules, Rules"-- It made me numb! 

"Police Cat" with everyone he saw
He governed all with a defining paw 
So much so, that he fast withdrew 
Became lonelier than he ever knew. 

T'was my fault, when he came here 
He wanted to cuddle, lick my ear 
But I had wanted none of that-- 
I was in charge, I was THE Cat. 

So in a way, he took after me 
Though my faults I did not see. 
If we'd just played more then 
Maybe we'd be better friends. 

So poor Gandolph slept alone 
Raged his paw as I had done. 
He wanted the Alpha spot bad 
As if it the only power he had. 

I reminded him once what I saw, 
His kitten antics, without any Law! 
Gandolph carried in his sole trek,
Stuffed yellow duck by the neck!

That boy forgot how he'd been cute 
And now tried to be an Alpha-brute!
Everyone knew the secret of his heart
A loving big softie, and oh so smart!

So determined in each and every task
He hid his soft-spots behind a mask
Police everyone, keep them all in tow
Cat of action, a warrior, ever in control.

Yet, controls no one who know him well
On his "illusions", we would never dwell
Just let him Rule, Boss, and, even Fuss--
Brashness didn't make us love him less. 

SONNY MEETS FRODO 

When a tiny "Bat-Cat" appeared one day
Neither Gandolph or I had much to say
That poor leggy-kitten waltzed right in
Boy's tail and ears much too big for him!

He insisted to cuddle, "Oh not you again!"
To that waif my comfort I vowed to lend
Knowing he was a gangly kit, much alone
I gave him love, as what I had been shown. 

Gandolph, less forgiving than need be 
Heckled and chased with much speed
Till that tiny kit grew ever more weary 
Pushed far away, he'd come to see me.

Like a Night Cat, Gandolph frightened
Bat-Cat's senses ever so heightened
Near my side, he would greatly calm 
The sound of my heart became a balm.

Gandolph and Frodo never real friends
Frodo became my ward to ever defend
I hoped Gandolph would loosen his Rules
To kittens, the dark side of wizards, ghouls. 

Gandolph would need to soften his stance
For growing friendships to ever advance
I knew Gandolph's heart he hid inside
A softness concealed by his ruling eyes. 

SONNY AND HIS LADY

In his uniform, my Man left for awhile
"Our country bad people did defile!"
So he set out to protect everyone
"Watch ov'r her Sonny, till I'm done." 

That Woman sighed, then worried lots
I could see her muscles work in knots
So, when she laid down to watch TV
I'd climb on her belly, muscles to knead. 

Here and there, I'd see her lips smile
I'd watch her closely--I liked her style!
She'd scratch my ears, smooth my fur
Over time I decided, I really liked her! 

Though I needed her for water and food
She needed me to give a peaceful mood.
I set about to give her nightly distraction
When Our Man had to see wartime action. 

A secret soon came when I saw her eyes 
I'd fallen in love, I could no longer deny.
Whether she looked relaxed or concerned 
My ever love for her is what I had learned. 

I tried to tell her, my eyes lovingly glazed 
She was a special Lady who left me dazed 
No wonder Our Man had fallen so hard 
True Love just isn't something to discard. 

When she worried, I couldn't help to feel 
Her nightmares and fears were very real. 
I gave comfort, all the love I could send 
A furry yellow Sonny, her dearest friend. 

I reminded her once, twice, then often
She was a strong lady, nothing to soften.
Her faith and hope never badly to turn 
And Our Man would soon safely return. 

There was a time before, tested, spent 
When illness called and wouldn't relent 
When doctors gave a kidney transplant 
And a second one God did grant. 

When My Lady turned face to the sky 
When she turned prayer to heavens high. 
She just needed to recall those times 
When her faith in goodness was a lifeline.  
I reminded her once, twice, and more 
Life demands it completes its full tour. 

SONNY, OUR MAN AND LADY

Finally Our Man's deployment over 
Came back to us, love's deep anchor 
A golden short-hair, and Lady's care 
A blessed reunion we all did share! 

Our lives returned, from fear released 
(Except from these old biting fleas!)
Once again, relaxing times increased 
Old nightmares broken, blessed peace! 

Gandolph, Frodo, and I--we each knew
Our family back together, as if all anew
Our Man, Our Lady, together forever
Our bonds, nothing earthly could sever. 

We got back quickly to our routines 
With new cats coming in-between. 
Frodo only wanted to hide behind me 
While all of us Gandolph fully did police. 

Life so secure, Life so royally defined 
No better Life could we have designed 
Lady's health improved, with less fear 
Our Man and Lady always to be here. 

SONNY'S SAD NEWS 

I hated to let Our Man and Lady know 
The signs of illness I would not show 
But eventually I could not obscure 
That I was so ill, of that I was sure. 

Patience and care My Lady gave 
Every day we were both so brave 
With treatments, pills, and care 
My Lady prayed against all unfair. 

But my illness became a beast 
A severe and plotting disease 
There was nothing more to do 
Then let Life see me through. 

Life's journey always includes death 
With much sorrow at the last breath 
But death provides time to rejoice 
To give Life's meaning a voice. 

Sorrow pushes memories to the fore 
Sweetness, Love we can't ignore. 
Death reminds us of a journey taken 
In the Universe, Life never forsaken. 

I will miss Our Man and Lady so true 
Feel my Life Journey to comfort you 
Feel my heartbeat against your chest 
Remember our lives, so much blessed. 

FRODO'S MEMORIES TO TELL 

When my Sonny left, it made me sad
I missed the snuggling we often had. 
I ignored his "Oh Brother!" look 
My place beside him I just took. 

At night I slept at my Best Mum's knees 
Cozy and warm, and curled like a baby 
I knew whenever she awoke or stirred 
She knew all my needs without a word. 

Mornings brought a whole new day 
With my Mum to watch and to play 
From her shoulder I ruled the world 
Watching over as our day unfurled. 

I'd always seek the highest place 
Mum so impressed with my grace 
I'd 'stick' every landing on thin legs 
No other cat my precision could peg. 

My prowess caused much delight 
When athletics took me to flight! 
Chase "Da Bird", high in the air 
Twist, twirl, land with much flair! 

Tweakers, a great old Maine Coon
Taught me to dance to a lovely 'tune'
We'd run, chase, skid, such friends,
From front of the house, to the end. 

A disapproving look Gandolph had
As if fun chases were somehow bad
Tweakers tried to have him join the fun
But he'd just pout until we were done. 

From Gandolph I stayed far clear 
More from respect than from fear 
Tweakers, Sonny, just more kind 
Better friends I could never find. 

Mum was the bestest ever, though 
Whether happy -- or feeling low 
From a bewildered kit I thus thrived 
Happy that day my Mum had arrived. 

Suzie mothered when Mum was out 
But my Mum I could never do without 
Despite others, she was My Mum 
To her voice I would always come. 

"Oh my!" I heard as I turned round 
And caught her face in fallen frown
Off to the doctor we so quickly went-- 
There we learned my body was spent. 

The pain I couldn't tell her till the end 
Through my life only on Mum to depend. 
She'd been there before if I just sneezed 
My heart couldn't tell her I had to leave.

But then my pain I could not hide
Liver torment showed in my eyes. 
"Frodo, Frodo?" my name she called
To her arms I would have crawled. 

I'm sorry, Mum, I couldn't stay
That illness took our time away
That life cut short time with you
That there was nothing else to do. 

I'll remember your arms holding me
Even when in pain I could not see
I'll always remember love so pure
My caring Mum I'll always adore. 

Sonny waited for me at the Bridge
Helped me claw out this message.
Then, we cuddled near a tree
Told me he'd never leave me. 

In memory we'll always stay nearby 
On days you laugh, and when you cry.
Mum, our Spirits will never go far
He the day's Sun, I your evening Star. 

GANDOLPH'S WIZARDRY 

Sitting in that cage, terribly bleak
With passing faces, love I'd seek.
But I found no love to be had
Everyone gone, it made me sad. 

Then, a woman came to visit me
Love in her eyes, all I could see 
She made it safe, made it right 
Rescued me from my plight. 

Onto my back in her arms
Belly-up without any alarm
Fast to home we would go
But my fears I did not show. 

My name, "Gandolph the Grey"
My uncertainty never to display
I'd be so great, I'd be a lord
Keeping peace, so restored. 

Sonny and I never good friends
He with little Frodo to defend
I told Frodo to smash the evil ring
Never would evil possess a thing. 

Instead, all our hearts entwined
Man, Woman, cats combined 
No wizardry this house need 
To bind us well on our journeys. 

In human hearts, love best shown
The power lies in bonds so known
No other home I wanted to reside
Love foremost, love never to hide. 

Only from fear, I held love back
Not dislike, nothing you lacked
Just different from "things" I'd seen
It made it hard to just be "Me." 

Feline wiles and charms I never had
But never did I become a "cad"
Like My Man, I always kept the Law
Do good behavior, or get my claw! 

Stalking my prey, as though my game 
Like the wildebeasts of Serengeti Plain
Running "chase", Sonny and Tweakers
A swift, full-on life was never sweeter. 

GANDOLF AND LADY'S CARE 

But ever watchful of the Lady's care
Always concerned of others' welfare
She showed me her motherly ways 
With a heart she would never betray. 

She took in Suzie, a lady Maine Coon
Not knowing that lady'd leave us soon
Who brought to herself a white butterfly 
With graceful heart, Suzie said goodbye. 

Suzie missed her first Mom, that's true
But Our Mom's heart opened on cue
To take Suzie in from that awful pound
Suzie and Our Mom a love-bond found. 

Sadness, deep sadness from the heart
Lady Suzie knew she'd soon depart
But she didn't want to leave just yet--
Our Mom's heart she'll never forget. 

Neither Tony or Robert stayed long
They had something so very wrong 
But they understood, they knew
Our Mom did what she could do. 

"The Boys" liked their time with her
Never once did they feel at all bitter
Our Mom's heart broke on that day
When Tony and Robert went away. 

But they told me what they thought 
When to our house they were brought
So grateful that Mom took them home 
To be so noticed, for the love shown. 

Though feeling a " hopeless Catch-22"
That made Our Mom feel awful blue
Of her good deeds, her I must remind
Within her loving heart, she’s so kind. 

GANDOLF & MOM SHARE 

Our Mom's selfless giving of love
I learned only came from Above
And, when I got sick I knew well
More of her love than I can even tell. 

I knew Mom and I shared pain
That neither of us could explain--
Thoughts and feelings well hidden 
Never makes loving forbidden--
Bad things had made us care more
Continued loving gives deep rapport. 

From stand-offish, her touch I sought
I needed her more than I ever thought.
Against her belly I'd snuggle so close
So my love she'll always, forever know. 

I left her many other sweet memories
Like my dulcet singing when I'd pee
Or carrying "my" duck with all my might
My thundering paws on stairs in the night. 

Memory binds us till Resurrection reunites
Till we see each other again in delight
Jesus will tell Our Mom to love again
Our Love spans life to Eternity's glen.