Helen tensed as Creampuff, her pet cat, started to cough and...

...back away from her.

"Oh you poor baby," Helen cooed to her distressed pet, "I know, I know, baby."

Helen had always treated her pets like little children in fur coats, and they always seemed to respond to the soft, gentle nature of her voice when she was trying to calm them.

"You'll be OK, Creampuff, mommy will take care of you."

Creampuff gave one last, mighty cough, and spit out a gross, slimy hairball. Looking very pleased with herself now, Creampuff walked back to Helen, as if to let her know that everything was fine once again.

"See, baby, I told you everything would be OK. Now, would you like a tuna treat to feel better?"

In whatever voice Helen used, Creampuff knew that tuna treats were exactly what she wanted after her ordeal.

by Stewart Lindsay, Buffalo, NY

...wheeze; catching her breath. The Doberman had caught them by surprise, coming from behind and grabbed Helen by her pant leg. She fell to the ground and was shocked to see Creampuff lash out at the dog, flexing her right paw and scratching his left eye. The Doberman howled and let go of Helen and started after Creampuff, but was met with another swipe of her paw at his right eye. Creampuff stood her ground then, waiting for the dog's next move, but he started to whimper and got down on all fours, feeling his way along the ground as he crawled away.

"Creampuff," Helen cried out, "are you hurt?"

Creampuff was now lying on her side; she had blood splattered on her paws and white, shinny fur. But that big old alley cat just looked at Helen, and...smiled!

by Joseph L. Rose, Fairfield, CA

...extend her jaws so wide that Helen was sure they would snap apart. Creampuff has hacked up fur-balls before, but this one must really be a doozy, Helen thought. She knew better than to try to touch or pick up the cat since once before Helen had suffered deep scratches on both of her arms when she had tried to comfort the animal.

"Best to just wait it out and hope that it comes up soon," Helen muttered as she watched helplessly.

by Mary, Fredericksburg, TX