Jasper, the Fetching Cat

Jasper believed that he was a very special cat. He also believed that his home and his family were very special. Mr. Ford patted Jasper's head every evening as he relaxed in his favorite chair. Mrs. Ford rewarded Jasper with cat treats whenever he begged for them. However, it was Timmy Ford who made Jasper feel like he was the most special cat in the world. Timmy always remembered to feed Jasper twice a day and gave him fresh water. He brushed Jasper’s long gray and white coat every day and stroked him gently behind his ears. Jasper purred in complete satisfaction every time. Best of all, Timmy would ask Jasper, “Who’s my favorite boy?” Jasper would always meow, “I am.” Then, one day everything changed. On Timmy’s eighth birthday, Toby arrived. Toby was a brown and white puppy who barked and drooled a lot. He was a furry ball of pure energy. At first, Jasper was disappointed to have to share Timmy, but he tried to make the best of the situation. Jasper knew that Timmy had more than enough love to share with two pets. Besides, he was still Timmy’s favorite boy. Soon, the Fords began spending so much time attending to Toby’s needs that Jasper began to feel anything but special. Mr. Ford was so busy trying not to step on the puppy’s tail that he forgot to pat Jasper’s head every evening. Mrs. Ford was so busy replacing objects chewed by Toby that she did not notice when Jasper begged for a cat treat. Timmy was so busy cleaning up Toby’s many accidents that he forgot about tickling Jasper behind his ears to make him purr. Poor Jasper stayed busy trying to find new hiding places to get away from Toby’s wet kisses. Worst of all, Jasper heard Timmy asking Toby, “Who’s my favorite boy?” He could not remember the last time Timmy asked him the same question. Sometimes, Jasper wished Toby would go for a long walk and forget to come back.