A Visit From Santa Paws

I have a very special in my heart for cats. I absolutely love cats, all cats, any color, any size, any temperament.  There is just something about a cat that calms me.  On this Christmas eve I'd like to share a poem with you from the book A Cat's Christmas by Stefanie Samek (1996, Dutton) (find it on Amazon here)

'Twas the night before Christmas, in the sleeping cats' house,
Not a feline was stirring-for even a mouse.
Cat stockings were hung by the cat door with care,
In hopes that Santa Paws soon would be there.

The kittens were snuggled in Mama Cat's bed,
With brothers and sisters curled head-to-head;
And Mama Cat on her quilt, and I on my mat,
Had just settled into a delicious catnap,

When out in the yard there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my mat to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash, 
Climbed up the curtains, pressed my nose to the glass.

And what in the world did my feline eyes see
But a small golden chariot, pulled by cats just like me!
With a fluffy old driver so white and so furry,
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Purr-y!

More rapid than rabbits his kitties they came,
And he yowled and meowed, calling each by name:
"On, Slippers! On, Sneakers! On, Bigfoot! On, Spats!
Christmas is coming! Let's go, gentle cats!

Now White Sox! Now, Bootsie! Let's go, Gloves and Mittens!
To the back porch we fly!  Let's go, cats and kittens!"
So down to the cat door his kittens they flew,
With a catnip-filled chariot-and Santa Paws too!

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the latch
The pawing and clawing of Santa Paws' scratch.
As I sniffed for his scent and looked all around,
Through the cat door Santa Paws came with a bound:

His eyes, how they sparkled! His whiskers so merry!
His cheeks were like marshmallows, his pink nose like a cherry!
His little cat mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the fur on his paws was as white as snow.

He meowed not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all of the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
Then washing his whiskers, ears, coat, and tail,
After having a snack, out the cat door he sailed.

He jumped on his chariot, to his team gave a yowl,
And away they all flew like nine cats on the prowl.
But I heard him meow, as he drove out of sight,
"Meowy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
                                                                               ---- Clement Moorecat

My cat "Lefty" (because she was missing her left eye).  RIP little girl.