Theresa Burns

YOU’RE NOTMY CAT

YOU’RE NOTMY CAT

YOU’RE NOTMY CAT

Written and Illustrated byTheresa Burns

You’re Not My CatElectronic book published by ipicturebooks.com

24 W. 25th St.New York, NY 10010

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All rights reserved.

Copyright © 1989 by Theresa Burns

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage

and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

e-ISBN 1-59019-477-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Burns, Theresa.You’re not my cat / written and illustrated by Theresa Burns.

p. cm.Summary: A young girl pretends she doesn’t care about the alley cat that she has secretly adopted.

[1. Cats—Fiction.] I. Title.PZ7.B93747Yo 1989 88-8388

[E]—dc19 CIP AC

To Mom and Dad and Mother Cat

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ou’re not my cat.

Every morning, I see you at my windowand I let you in.You crawl under the covers with me,but you don’t live here.

YY

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You like to watchwhile I make breakfast.You’re always hungry.

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I shouldn’t feed you—you’re not my cat.I just give you little snacks.

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I call you Gusbut I know that’s not your name.

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Sometimes you help me with my chores,and when we’re finished,

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we read

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and practice the piano.

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We like to explore the backyard,

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and spy on the neighbors,

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and find secret places.Sometimes we just sitand don’t do anything.

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You bring me presents and surprises,

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and I take care of you.I pull the burrs from your fureven though you’re not my cat.

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Sometimes you let me dress you up,

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and then we have tea.

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I like the look on your face when you’re happy.When I pet you,you purr in my ear.I never feel lonely when I’m with you.But . . .

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you ruin the couch,

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you get in my way,

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and when I say,“Get out of here.You’re not my cat!”

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you don’t leaveuntil you want to.

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When you go away,I wonder how you are,and what you’re doing,and if you’ll be back tomorrow.But I don’t worry about you—you’re not my cat.

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“Gus!”