"Pick me!" I think, but all I can do is meow. As I try to go to sleep and just forget about being chosen, I know soon I will be in a room, having to take a shot and then be buried like the other cats and dogs that went there this week.

Muffled noises I hear, and turn to see three people -- one child, one adult and the attendant standing next to my cage. They keep pointing at my cage and the little boy looks somewhat excited. He looks at me and says, "Mommy, please can we take her home?"

The cage opens and I'm put into a loving boy's arms. I purr and look thankfully at the boy.

"I have a family now, I was chosen, not the kittens (who are usually taken first), but me. Probably one of the oldest here!" I think. How lucky am I...? Remembering just the other day, I was on a cold wet street.... As my new owners and I walk out the door to the car, I fall asleep, snug and warm in his arms.

I feel nudges against me and I wake up to a whole new atmosphere. A tree with decorative things on it in the corner, a box with many colors in the other corner. I have never seen such a place! I purr loudly as I'm set down on a chair.

The boy then says, "Mom? Can we call her Socks? Since of her white feet?" The mother nods.

"Can this be? I may just be dreaming...." I think, but no, this is real.

Lifting me from my former spot, he gives me the grand tour of the house. Where I eat... where I sleep... everything! He whispers to me that I can sleep with him that night and not to tell his mom. I laugh in my mind.

Later that night, I sleep next to him. The warmth of the room and him slowly puts me to sleep. In my dreams I think of how lucky it is to have a family, such as them, to have me, formally known as Socks, in their lives.

THE END

By: Ylil