Living among humans by Dale McMurray (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

we stopped so that the humans could stretch and I could relieve myself. I sniffed the grass for familar scents and tried to checkout the area but the female picked me up and we were off again. Soon we turned right and as I balanced on her lap I watched as we pulled into the place I would call home for the rest of my days.
We're Home

It was alon white thing they call a house.As wewent around back, I saw a giant creature standing against the fence. It was holding something in its mouth. It's skin was a golden red and his hair that flowed from the neck and rear was almost white. "Hello Bucket old boy. Hungry?".He took the wooden thing and put me in it. "Meet the newest member of the family." Bucket stretched his long nose to smell me. I couldn't see its eyes. All of a sudden it snorted. The female picked me out of the pail and squeezed me her eyes had a twinkle and she walked with her male as he went to feed Bucket. As we passed there were things that were like boulders on legs.They were brown and white,black and white solid colors and some looked like someone had splattered them with mud. These he called cattle.
In the barn there were other creatures, a cat, goats and another creature like Bucket. As I was put down i looked all around then ran as fast as I could to see it all. This place would soon become a second home for me . The female scooped me up as I tried to get under a door that has set in the middle of the doorway. "Careful Poppit Lady P lives there and if you spook her she could hurt you."I came off my paws as she lifted me to meet the other Horse living in the barn.
"lady P I want you to meet Poppit" Lady P turned around and came to smell me I got slobbered on as she stuck her tongue. I shook the slobber off and it went all over the human. The male human stiffled a laugh and the female reached for a towel that was hooked in a ring by the stall. She looked at me and I was afraid that she would throw me away. But she smiled and hugged me slobber and all. As the male finished his chores we watched. Outside the barn I was allowed to run and play as we walked to the house. They waited patiently as I relieved my self again.
The door opened to another world so different than any I had seen so far. The smell of something she called bread filled my nose. It was sweet and filling. I noticed others too. The scent of flowers I knew (because we had them at the other place I lived with mother) and the smell of somethings that were new to me . Everything was new , This place , these humans and the creatures in the barn. I was soon to find out that there was so much more to see pastures, fields, hills, and a river that ran into a pond.

The House Rules

No Peeing in the house has become the first rule. Why? I could do it before now I can't. Seems silly that a natural reaction to drinking water is not allowed here. The female cried "NO!!!" very loudly, grabbed me and dropped me outside. Poopng is not acceptable either it seems. Why? Its only natural. Boy The male said some words that I do not want to know what they mean when he stepped in a pile.
Add to that chewing and there you have it. There would be more rules later but for now these were the ones I was having trouble with.

My baby teeth are starting to fall out and it was uncomfortable so I thought a gnaw or two would help. The female had other ideas. She cuffed me like mom would. Then she placed a bone by me . It tasted way better than the rugs or the furniture and I was satisfied to chew that. The female was so relieved. so far my first day was going well I thought.

Time for Bed.
As the day became night we had eaten dinner. I watched as the female made a bed for me. But is was different than any I had seen. It was set in a corner by the fireplace and had a thing called a babygate stretched across. I was put in there after they hugged and kissed me then said their goodnights and turned off the lights. All of a sudden I was all alone.
I could hear their footseps fade and soon only the sounds of the fire became very loud and menacing. I had never in my short life been alone anywhere. No brothers or sisters to snuggle against and especially no mother with her steady heartbeat and warm body. The shadows fickered across the walls with shapes that seemed able to devour me in one bite. I started to cry. The female appeared and placed a blanket around me then a kiss and she was gone again. As the wind picked up it seemed to call to me with an evil voice. I burrowed deep in the blanket and cried my self to sleep. Every sound startled me and I had dreams of being eaten by some fearful creature. Why had they left me here all alone? The time dragged along and what seemed an eternity yje sun agin appeared through the windows of the house. All that shadows that had scared me so became things like chairs and decorations that humans put on flat surfaces. As I heard the humans moving I started to call louder and louder to get their attention. Finally They appeared and put me outside to do my duty as they called it. I was so releived to see them. The female took something out and placed it around my neck. it was a pretty blue but it made my neck itch. It jingled as I walked and she said it had my name and their phone number so that if I got lost anyone who found me could call and they would come to bring me home. By the way what's a phone number? It seems to be a device that propels their voices over distances even though they are not in the same place as those they want to talk to. So far the morning was going well What a great place to play or so I thought.

I was always under foot. I was being moved out of thet way with either a broom or their hands or feet. Boy Oh Boy this is not going well. So far I have been kicked out of almost every corner but one. And there was a something hiding there waiting .It's eyes glowed in the shadows waiting.But for what?
I puffed myself up and walked into the the corner.It started to snarl thatcwas more like a laugh. I inched closer to see it better. Calico moved out of the shadows gracefully and brushed up along side me. She was soft and warm . I could feel her purring as she rubbed against me. turning her head she asked" Your name is Poppit?".
"Yes."
"Was that you crying last night?"
"Yes. I have never been alone before and the humans turned off the lights and disappeared. I was so alone and cold ."
"Look come up here on the hay bale with me and I will sleep next to you if you like." She leaped up so fast and was settled lomg before I could climb up.I snuggled next to her. The sound of her breathing was soothing. And soon I was drifting of to sleep. How strange that I would find a friend here so soon. The other creatures seemed so strange. I could hear the humans working . The sounds of the horses,goats and cows faded as I let myself relax. Calico started to lick me and her abrasive tongue was rough but gentle as she washed my face. I could feel a sense of gentleness coming from her. Calico seemed content with her new job as mother to Poppitt.
Getting as close as she could so that she could feel the rythm of Poppitt's breathing.
What a wonderful feeling. Calico had not felt this way since her own kittens where little.
They were all grown and gone and she missed them. "This puppy will do" she thought.Wrapping her tail around Poppit's round belly she settled to nap. The humans had stopped to take a rest and noticed that their new pet was actually sleeping with Calico the barn cat who was known to be a little fiesty.
"Look they both are sleeping together!" The female whispered.

Mother had told us about the cats that some humans live with. like us they adapted to the changes. But as the earth changed cats also evolved like we did. Some stayed very large and became known as Lions, Tigers and leopards. Some became smaller and adapted to their new surroundings. Humans also changed the way cats looked like they did with us..

As I slept my mind wandered to a story mother had told my brothers and sisters about cats. She was only about two years old(thats about fourteen in human years) and a strange creature wandered in to the yard. It seemed similar to the pack but its walk was so fluid and the sound that came was more of a purr. It strutted very close and as it passed She could see that the hair was short and it was a light golden brown but the eyes were a clear blue. It's body was more delicate yet strong. As they stood face to face the cat spoke. "I am called Ming and I am a Siamese." She then asked mother who she was. " They call me Flora nice to meet you." They looked at each other for a moment. Then in a rush the lady from next door ran over and scooped Ming in her arms. She did not see Ming for a day or two. "Flora?" She could hear Ming calling and walked the fence until she could see her. Ming said "Her lady thought that she was going to be eaten by the mean dog next door". "Who me?"
Flora shook her head as Ming laughed. Seems the lady imagined cats and dogs don't get along.
"Well Ming I like you so why would I hurt you?" Ming thought a moment then said " Who cares about humans. Let's just keep our friendship out of their sight I hate being locked indoors."
When Ming's Owner Passed on a few years later and Ming disappeared. Another family of humans moved in. Later they also moved away. A human and her mate came to live next door and they had cats. And so it went until we were born. Mother never said a bad word about cats so we never thought different aboout them ourselves. Atleast most of