JOURNAL ENTRY #1

I have had many years upon this world to contemplate my fate. The world of humans is a strange and cruel place; feet step upon your tail just when you've found a sunny spot by the window. There was a time when I was happy. There was a time when I felt loved. There was a time...when I had fur and solid bone structure... but no more.

Amongst my own, I am known as "Firstborn male cat who's scent resembles a tree, after a particularly cold winter, but right when the spring is about to hit, on a cloudy day." It is considered among my feline brothers and sisters to be a very auspicious name, but for me there is only the cold metal floor of my cage, and the old lady who smells like death.

It wasn't always like this. My previous captors had treated me well enough, though the prison I was kept in also housed human kittens that would occasionally yank on my tail and ears. The smallest among them used to bite me. It seemed only reasonable to return the favor.

I suppose I should have coughed him back up.

Alas, they overreacted, and here I am. Sometimes they bring in new animals, sometimes animals leave. Our keeper, whom I've nicknamed "Old woman that smells like dying animals" has it out for me, I believe. Within a few days, I will leave this place, and be reincarnated into another form. This has been my ninth life reincarnated as a cat. Perhaps next time I shall be reincarnated as a human.

Oh! Food!

JOURNAL ENTRY #2

This will be the last entry in my journal. It is my hope that the next occupant of the cage is a fellow feline, otherwise this intricate pattern of urine and feces that makes up my journal will be ruined and never remembered. Probably by a dog.

"Old woman that smells like dying animals" came to visit me today. She brought the wet kind of food that resembles meat, rather than the dry rations I am normally accustomed to. This is a sure sign that something bad is going to happen. She always brings that to the others just before they are taken away. I spoke with "Second of litter that was born near the big metal thing with lots of food in it last winter" and she said when you are taken away, you are made King of the Pride for a whole week, eating whenever you want, getting the best places to void yourself, the warmest spot of sunlight, fresh water constantly, and lots of things to pounce on. After this time, you are devoured by the pride, who then chooses another King (or Queen in the case of "Second of litter that was born near the big metal thing with lots of food in it last winter".

As for me, I know the smell of death. I know what awaits once "Old woman that smells like dying animals" returns. Perhaps not in form, but in essence. I will die. Strange though, I no longer fear it. In point of fact, I welcome it. To whomever reads this... be brave. Be brave for all of us.

JOURNAL ENTRY #3

The strangest thing happened today. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'll try to sort it out in my nice new clean journal of smashed clay pieces and plastic. I had prepared my soul for passing on, and awaited my fate with dignity when "Old woman that smells like dying animals" entered with two other humans. The younger female picked me up and began to leak from her eyes. They spoke in their primative tongue and I was taken to various dwellings, one after another, until I finally arrived here.

I was rather unceremoniously handed to a male I have decided to name "Runt of the litter who has been displaced from the Pride", or "Runt" for short. I cannot explain why, but I had the distinct impression that he intended to eat me upon our first meeting. Later I came to realize he wanted my assistance in guarding his territory after we launched a dual attack on those who ventured near his domain.

Now we have great fun together, and I feel like a kitten again. As a sign of our bond, I urinated on his towel. Tomorrow I'm thinking about reorganizing the apartment. He has placed everything far too high off the ground, very unorganized. When he sees how I will neatly arrange everything on the floor, I think Runt will be sufficiently impressed enough to keep me around as a Pridemate.

JOURNAL ENTRY #4

I am afraid that Runt's standards were higher than I hoped. I have tried everything I can think of to show my gratitude for saving me from "Old woman that smells like dying animals". He seemed displeased with the intricate patterns I left on his towell. I feel that, perhaps, it just wasn't a grand enough gesture of my affection. I am not one to look a gift-mouse in the mouth. We are now members of the same Pride, and it is my responsibility as Runt's new leader to see that his needs are tended to as well. He will undoubtably enjoy the newest gesture I have planned as soon as I finish this journal entry.

Sometimes Runt leaves for long periods of time, and today he left one of the moving walls open enough for me to fit through. I am certain this was one of those subtle hints that humans are always trying to give. Who know's what they think, half the time? However, this moving wall leads to his personal area of the dwelling where he sleeps. Inside is a cache of all his dead prey, which he sometimes wears (humans are so odd), hanging by some sort of wire device. This must make it very hard for him to get to, and on top of that, they smell of something chemical.

I will reorganize his cache of dead, wearable prey, just for him. First, I will pull them down and as an added bonus, I will draw the most beautiful, intricate patterns of urine on each and every item. If it takes me all day, I'll do this, but I know, in my heart, it will be worth it just to see him happy.

JOURNAL ENTRY #5

The plan worked. Runt was so happy! He picked up each and every item, sniffed it carefully, and then gave loud howls of what sounded very similar to a female of my kind during mating. I got so excited I ran to the bathroom to urinate on his towel again. Of course, he wanted to spend time alone with his newfound wealth, he loaded it all up and left the dwelling. No doubt to show off to his other humans how much we have bonded.

When he returned, the next day (so happy he neglected to feed me) he picked me up and wrapped me around his neck, a surefire sign of acceptance of me as his leader. I haven't been in a kitten-pile since...well...since I was a kitten. It sure brought back memories. I'm so happy, I'm purring.

Later, he brought in a female to breed with. He presented her to me for inspection, and left the room. This was either to allow us a little privacy so I could judge without his influence, or perhaps he wanted me to have the first go at her, though I wouldn't know the first thing about mating with a human.

In any event, she coughed up a hairball, though it was curiously devoid of hair. Apparently this is considered bad form among humans, because she left very quickly afterward. I suppose she was afraid I might count off points during the inspection. Silly creatures, humans. As a consolation I did leave her a present in her purse though. A bottlecap! At least when she is alone now, she will have that to play with.

Well, Runt has just left again. I think I'll pleasantly surprise him today and give his bedding a real good pissing.