In a cozy white house near a tall garden gate,
Lived a girl named Kim who stayed up quite late.
She dreamed of a pet, not a dog, not a rat—
But a whiskered, wide-eyed, grumpy old cat.
She went to the shelter, her smile full of glee,
And pointed and said, “That grumpy one’s for me!”
The workers all chuckled, “She hisses and hides…”
But Kim only nodded, her joy hard to hide.
She named her The Duchess and brought her back home,
But Duchess just growled and wanted to roam.
“Come play with my yarn!” Kim said with a spin—
The cat gave a glare and refused to join in.
Kim offered her tuna, all smelly and wet,
A meal that most kitties would never forget.
But Duchess just sniffed and turned up her nose—
She leapt to the bookshelf and started to doze.
At bedtime Kim whispered, “Come snuggle with me,”
But Duchess just stared and jumped out with a “Whee!”
She slept in the closet, far out of sight,
While Kim wished and hoped she’d cuddle at night.
One morning The Duchess slipped out for a stroll,
Exploring the garden, each pebble and hole.
When—Ruff! came a bark from a slobbery pup!
Poor Duchess panicked and started to jump!
She scrambled and scrambled, then climbed up a tree,
Yowling and yelping, “Please someone save me!”
Kim heard the cries from her window above,
And ran to the tree full of courage and love.
She climbed every branch with her heart full of care,
Till she found The Duchess all puffed up with hair.
She cradled the cat and said, “You’re okay now,”
And Duchess just stared with a soft little “meow.”
From that very moment, through sunshine and rain,
The Duchess was never aloof again.
She followed Kim close like a shadow so small,
From bathtime to storytime, down every hall.
She’d purr when she played, she’d nap on Kim’s bed,
She gobbled up tuna and let herself be fed.
No longer so grumpy, not scratchy or mean—
Just the happiest kitty that Kim’d ever seen.
So if you adopt one with a grouchy old face,
Be patient and kind, and give them their space.
One day they might climb to a high, scary place…
And you’ll be the hero who earns their embrace.
Author’s Note: Duchess became a grumpy puss again after we adopted 3 kittens.