For Dancing

1. It is good exercise.
2. You could meet new people.
3. You won't have to feel guilty about eating the last of the cookies.
4. Your cat won't judge your awesome moves.
5. Because the music says you must.
6. So your friend won't have to dance alone.
7. Because a slow dance means you'll have time to talk to your partner.
8. It can be fun.
9. It gives you a chance to step of people's toes.
10. It can be a good hobby.

Take the Blame

The cat was not going to take the blame for this.
Every day, the dog did something while the people were away. And every day, the cat got the blame.
Trash scattered everywhere?
Blame the cat.
That roast left to thaw in the sink while the people made a quick five minute trip to the grocery store?
The remains of it were found in the dog's bed, yet the cat got the blame.
Crocheting unraveled and redone into a giant messy knot?
Okay, that one was the cat.
But this, the cat would not take the blame for this one.
The people had left the television on when they left, and it had been fine for the first hour or two. But then the channel decided to play a show about bunnies.
The dog was obsessed with bunnies.
So obsessed, that he tried to get the ones on the television, and now was tangled in all the wires that were normally underneath the television.
The television itself was laying on the floor beside the tangled dog, a great crack running across its screen.
At the sound of the lock being undone on the front door, the cat quickly jumped under the coffee table; where she'd be out of sight, but still able to witness the dog finally getting what he deserved.
When their people walked in, they paused and stared at the destruction in what the car determined to be shock.
Wait, now it was anger.
"Poinsettia!" The shaggy-haired human called, while the other set to work untangling the dog.
The cat cringed, and decided to stay where she was instead of responding to her given name.
It wasn't like she was going to take the blame yet again, after all.

Family Activities

1. Meals together.
2. Movie marathons.
3. Game nights.
4. Hiking trips.
5. Car trips.
6. Family reunions.
7. Crafts.
8. Chores around the house.
9. A book club.
10. Long conversations.

Crimson Drops

The crunch of snow and ice was like the shattering of glass, but the red splatter could never be mistaken for wine.
Hot crimson drops hissed as the snow beneath them melted, and steam rose from all around the fallen form.
The snow shook as the creature gave a growl and struggled to rise, but the snow it had fallen in was too deep for the weakened creature.
The barest puff of smoke escaped from between the creature's bared teeth, but that was all it could manage. Not even the smallest of embers.
It was too cold, and too weak.
Pathetically weak, to have been downed like some migratory bird. And like a bird, it had never even noticed the hunter taking aim until it was too late.
And it was too late. Whoever the hunter was, they knew exactly where to aim to pierce that vulnerable place between protective scales.
Hot blood was weeping at an alarming rate, far faster than it should have been.
But then, it hadn't been a normal projectile, not with the stench of magic that lingered in the wound.
The world was fading, and the creature could do naught to prevent its own demise.
There was a crunching as something approached the creature through the snow, something with a metallic sheen.
A knight. Who knew they still existed?
The knight lifted a sword that reeked of magic, and the creature allowed itself one final growl as the blade came down.

What to do When it Snows

1. Drink hot chocolate.
2. Throw snowballs for the dog to chase.
3. Put ice salt on the pathways you use most often.
4. Pull your snow boots out of the closet.
5. Make sure any outside pets have a protected area they can use to get out of the snow.
6. Never leave the house with wet hair.
7. Change to snow tires on your car.
8. Make a scarf.
9. Watch White Christmas.
10. Prepare to hibernate.

Before the Door

Things were not going well for the dog.
First thing this morning, the cat ate his food.
Then, all of his people left him behind when they went for car rides!
So there he was, moping before the door, when the cat came sauntering in.
"The view is better in the bathroom," said the cat.
"But they left through this door," the dog moaned, wishing his people would return.
The cat stretched, claws sinking into the rug.
"You know what the car looks like, so just watch from the bathroom window." The cat flicked the dog's nose with its tail as it walked past. "Surely they might return sooner if you can actually watch the road for them."
The dog lifted his head, ears pricking at the thought. "Maybe you're right," the dog said as he stood.
Racing to the small bathroom, the dog looked for the window.
There, above the toilet!
The dog moved toward the window, but paused before the toilet.
He looked up, and realized that even if he stood on his hind legs, the window would be too high for him to look out.
The cat wouldn't have any problems jumping up to the windowsill, but he was not the cat.
A sudden sound made the dog twist around to look toward the door.
It was closed!
As the dog hurried to the door, he heard the rumbling purr of the cat from the other side.
"Enjoy watching for the people!" The cat's pleased meow sounded muffled through the door, but it was enough to clue the dog as to what had just happened.
The cat had tricked him!
Now he was stuck in the bathroom until their people returned.
Whining, the dog settled himself on the cool floor before the bathroom door and waited for his people to return.

Friends are Great

1. They make you laugh.
2. They share their food with you.
3. They enjoy your company.
4. They are there when you need help.
5. You don't need a reason spend time with them.
6. They know how to make you smile.
7. They let you play with their pets.
8. They remember your name.
9. They get excited with you.
10. They like you for being you.

Alarm Clock

The alarm clock screeches for attention, with all the cruelty of a drenched cat.
You hit the snooze, but it never provides a long enough reprieve.
The floor is cold on bare feet, the winter chill enough to make you shiver and look longingly back at the warm bed.
But no, you must get up and on with the day.
The morning routine passes in a blur, and you couldn't respond with certainty what it was you just ate.
It came from the fridge, and wasn't moving. That was good enough for you.
Work was work, as it always was.
You went through with each task you had, putting in your best effort for each one, but forgot about each after its completion.
Home again, and the things you had to do there.
Chores, food, animals, and a nap. Perhaps even some time for a book, if you sere lucky.
All too soon, the day is done.
Preparations to sleep are worked through, each one reminding you of just how tired you are.
You return to your room, and set the alarm clock for drenched cat.
Then, you pull back the covers and crawl into bed.
It has grown cold since this morning, but no matter.
Soon enough, the blankets would be warm with your heat, and you would fall asleep.
At least until the morning, when that horrid alarm screeches once again.

To Get Up Early

1. You'll have more time to get ready.
2. It means you could have a fancier breakfast.
3. You could watch the sun rise.
4. It means your morning grogginess will have a chance to fade.
5. You could go for a morning walk.
6. By knowing you'll get up early, it could encourage you to go to sleep at a more reasonable time.
7. It means you can give your pet extra attention.
8. You could work on that project you never have time for later in the day.
9. It provides time to exercise.
10. You won't feel like you're in a rush.