Andrei Yuri

To my Valentine: one rather large housecat, Simon

You are to felines what the Hindenburg was to aircraft. When you walk, the floor squeaks. When you climb a tree, it shakes as in a mighty gale. You are black and white like a cow, hop like a rabbit, barrel through doors like a pack of so many crazed hellhounds and eat like royalty – never less than twice a day. Your paws belong to a grizzly, and you use them to shred whatever gets in your way. You howl like a coyote pup late at night, and hold marathons up and down the stairs in the morning. Falling leaves frighten you. The wind frightens you. Sound frightens you!

For all these reasons, you are my favorite, and I am writing this Valentine’s Day card for you.