These are a series of stories I'm writing based on PowerPets, so some of the names and terms might not make any sense if you don't play!
Since it will be a long time -if ever- before I can submit them all to PowerPets (& probably even longer before any are accepted. -_-) I wanted to have them all in one place. I hope you like them!
Note: These are a series of stories that go together, but are by no means one story. Enjoy!
Back to top Quirky Tails 1: Leopard�s Love
In a stark, barren cage in the Xiang Chung-Shi pound a little leopard cub tried to stretch as best as she could in the rather small space. Her yellow coat with its many black spots was as clean as she could keep it� but that wasn�t nearly as clean as she would like. She heaved a great sigh. Oh, if only she did not have to be caught up in this cage! Here the sadness of the pound seemed to stick to her like dirt. The little leopard thought she would never be clean from the desperate feeling of loneliness.
Still, there were always the other animals in the pound to cheer up. The little leopard smiled at the idea. It was easier for her to keep her hopes up when she was trying to bring cheer to others. She knew she was lucky, she was young & still almost a baby. The odds where still in her favor, for young animals had a much easier time of finding homes. That was the case with her littermates. All of her siblings had already found new homes not long after their litter had been brought to the pound.
Sadly, many of her pound-mates did not have it so easy. One Orangutan was back after his third family �he just could not find the human that was prepared for the responsibility of caring for him. An Indicus was brought to the pound after the cute baby the family had brought into their home had become too large for their living space & budget. A few of the tigers were too �wild� for their past families who had loved the beauty & grace of the great cats but not the nature of the beasts. Perhaps someday there would be humans for each of them that would be able to love and care for them as they where, but for now the young leopard could be their sunshine.
�It�s a great day to be alive, don�t ya think?� The little leopard rubbed against the side of her cage purring at the Tibetan Yak on the other side. He had been saved from being shot for sport & becoming a trophy in a bad human�s lodge. She still could not understand that behavior in some humans. Certainly the Tibetan Yak was more handsome alive, with his eyes so full of warmth & wisdom. The shaggy beast beamed at the young cat.
�It certainly is, young one. Every day alive is another chance to live.�
The Gibbons in their cage across the way began to laugh at his statement of the obvious. The little leopard shot them a smile �at least they where trying to be happy!- before responding to the majestic Yak. �My point exactly! Who knows? Any day we�re in here is another day we might find a loving home!�
The Tibetan Yak smiled gently down at her through the bars that separated them while the Orangutan looking for his fourth home harrumphed disgustedly. Turning towards the noise the little leopard could see a strange sort of wistfulness on the primate�s face. The Yak had noticed too. �We all hope for a family, little one. Some of us just have had a farther road then others to find it.�
She knew the wise one was right, but to say so would not have fit very well into her attempt to lighten the atmosphere of the lonely & desolate pound.
A door opened & a pound volunteer entered the area. With him was an elderly gentleman with gray & silver hair. The man�s beard covered his neck & dipped past his chest. In his right hand he carried a cane that he sometimes used for more support than others, but despite that he had a very spry step & a definite twinkle in his eye. The little leopard could feel the Tibetan Yak suck in his breath upon seeing the elderly man.
The pound volunteer showed the man all the animals in their cages. The man laughed at the zany Gibbons & gave a sympathetic look to the aging Orangutan, but it was the Yak�s cage to which he finally came.
�Would you like to come home with me?� He asked the shaggy beast. �Although I�m afraid I might have need from time to time to rely on you as well, I promise I will take great care of you.�
�I would like that very much.� The majestic Tibetan Yak replied. �And it would be an honor for you to be able to rely on me for any little thing.�
�I think I shall name you Chi, for there is great energy in you.� At that the Yak puffed his chest proudly & followed his new human out of the pound. The little leopard shouted her good-byes happily.
�For his sake I hope it works out�� The Orangutan muttered grumpily from his cage.
�Oh, it will! I know it will! Didn�t they just seem to match so perfectly?� Tears shone in the leopards big blue eyes at the prospect.
The Orangutan stayed quiet for a while after that. The little leopard did not know what to say. After a while she began chattering with the Gibbons, who were always ready for any conversation. So it came to be that she did not notice the door open again or the humans that where led in by the pound volunteer until she heard them speak.
�Hakinaro, is this really where you found Jakanar?� The young woman�s voice had a pleasing lilt to it. �Do you think I will be able to find a friend too.�
�Yes & yes, Trelweny. I�ve already answered that question tons of times.� The youth�s voice was slightly put off, but at the same time strangely pleased. He scratched the ears of his Tiger companion nonchalantly, thinking about how wonderful his life had become since adopting Jakanar here. The great orange cat rumbled his happiness. �Just look at them. I�m sure you�ll find the one that suits you.�
Walking past each of the cages the young woman looked into each thoughtfully. All the animals could see that she was willing to take any one of them out of this place but that she knew she could only take one. That one, it was obvious, should fit her well so that there would never be a reason to need to return to the pound. As if in respect for such thoughtfulness the animals grew quiet, & even the Gibbons ceased their shenanigans.
At long last she returned to the youths side. Hakinaro cocked an eyebrow at her. �Well?�
The little leopard�s heart pounded in her chest as she strained to hear the decision. Never had she wanted so desperately to be the one picked! The human female smelled like apples & vanilla, and her voice was so kind! �I wish I could give a home to all of them��
�You know you can�t, Sis.� She sighed, knowing he was right. Now the men where waiting on her answer. Not to mention Jakanar & the other animals, who were waiting too. Her gaze cast around the pound, searching for the one perfect pet to compliment he & to befriend. The young woman�s eyes where caught. She looked deep into blue, blue eyes with her soft brown ones.
�Her.� She said pointing. �I�d like her to come home with me.� Then she smiled shyly. �If she wants to, that is.�
In her cage the little leopard shivered with excitement from the tops of her yellow tufted ears to the tip of her tail. � �If I want to� she says! As if there was ever a doubt!�
The young woman laughs as the pound volunteer opens the cage & her arms are suddenly filled with the eager young cat. Trelweny giggled as she started to receive her first cat-bath from her new friend. Her brother rolled his eyes at the scene, but his tiger companion looked on pertinently..
�I figured you for the leopard, Trelweny.� Her brother noted drolly as she set Kittiara down & they walked to the front desk for her to fill out the adoption paperwork. �It will be nice for Jakanar to have another big cat to play with.� The youth looked at his sister pointedly, as if reminding her that he had to be a grounding influence. �But what will you name her?�
The young woman pondered thoughtfully for a moment before responding. The little leopard strained as she waited to hear her new name. It seemed to Hakinaro and the big cats that she was mentally going through hundreds of prospective names in her head. For sometimes her mouth would move as if almost ready to utter a name but then she would shake her head, light brown hair swinging before her face. At last Trelweny spoke. �Kittiara. For a majestic & large kitty.�
Hakinaro nodded his approval. Tail swishing with excitement, the little leopard just grinned a happy big cat smile as she looked up at her human. She liked the sound of that: her human. So her new name would be Kittiara, huh? �I LIKE it!�
�I�m going to love & care for you always, Kittiara.� The young woman�s chocolate colored eyes filled with joy. She could not remember ever having been this happy. �What do you say to that?�
�Aw, Trelweny! You�ll always have this leopard�s love!�
Back to top Quirky Tails 2: First Visit to the Vet
Kittiara was happily getting used to her new life outside of the pound. Every day her human, Trelweny, brought her home good things to eat & great toys to play with. It was taking a little bit of effort on each of their parts, but slowly they where each learning what the other needed. Trelweny had quickly discovered that she should only bring home the most durable & simplest toys for the young leopard� after a stray horseshoe had nearly gone through their apartment window.
One morning, Trelweny awoke to fix them breakfast only to find Kittiara still asleep in her basket by the window. The yellow leopard�s eyes looked crusty & swollen. The whites of her eyes were pink, almost red in color, and a milky liquid seeped from the corners. The young woman gasped. �Kittiara, are you okay?�
The little leopard moaned softly trying to rub her eyes. �I don�t feel so well. My eyes itch.�
�Oh dear! We�d better take you to the veterinarian right away!� With that, Trelweny gathered a few things she might need & collected Kittiara in her arms, basket & all. The leopard was quite heavy, but luckily not too much for the young woman to handle.
It was not long before they reached the Veterinarian�s Office in North New Barkston. A kindly blonde woman in a white laboratory coat greeted them warmly. �Welcome to the New Barkston Animal Hospital. I'm Dr. Sayahh.�
�Pleased to meet you, Dr. Sayahh.� Trelweny politely replied. �We�re here today because of Kittiara�s eyes. They seem to be bothering her.�
�Of course. Please follow me.� Trelweny hefted Kittiara back in her arms again and followed Dr. Sayahh to a small room. There was a counter large enough for the big cat in the center of the room, as well as posters of animals & medical charts on the walls. Dr. Sayahh set down a manila folder upon which she had written Kittiara�s name on the tab. Inside she was filling out a form with the date & Kittiara�s symptoms. When she had done that she turned to the leopard where Trelweny had sat her on the counter.
�So, you�re eyes are bothering you. Let me see.� She took out a medical tool & looked closely around the edges of the leopard�s swollen eyes. With the same instrument Dr. Sayahh checked inside Kittiara�s ears & mouth. She also listened to the big cat�s heartbeat through her stethoscope. Then she pulled out the thermometer.
�Hold her so she won�t squirm, Trelweny.�
�Why?� The curious kitty asked. �I don�t plan to squirm.�
Trelweny did as she was directed, & despite her claim Kittiara did squirm a little bit. �Ow! Did you have to that?�
�Sorry, Kittiara, but there isn�t a safe oral thermometer for animals.� Kittiara pouted, he pride wounded at the intrusion.
�Well, we�re all done here. I just wanted to make certain your little kitty didn�t have anything serious. It�s as I thought, she has conjunctivitis.�
�Is that� bad?� Trelweny�s voice trembled a bit.
Dr. Sayahh laughed lightly, almost like the tinkling of bells. �Oh, no, dear! Conjunctivitis is an umbrella term we use for eye infections. It's caused by a bacteria & is easily cured with antibiotics in eye drop form & ointment. Which, by the way, I will need you to pick up for me.�
�Oh.� Trelweny suddenly remembered reading something about eye infections in her �HealthPedia-Cats� book when she first got it, but she couldn�t quite recall. Then picking up on Dr. Sayahh�s last words she rummaged through her pockets.
�That�s right! Hakinaro suggested I buy medicines when I could so I would be ready if Kitti needed them!� With that she produced both a bottle of antibiotic eye drops & a tube of ointment. �Are these the right ones?�
Dr. Sayahh scrutinized the items Trelweny procured for her, then smiled. �Splendid! Those will do perfectly.�
With that she showed Trelweny with a practiced ease how to apply the drops & ointment to Kittiara�s eyes. The antibiotic had to be dropped directly into the eyes while the gel-like ointment had to be squeezed onto the eyes above the lower eyelids. Kittiara diligently tried to keep very still through the process. �There.� The good doctor said, smiling. �Administer those medicines just like that every 6 to eight hours for the next couple of days. After that you can probably discontinue using the ointment, but keep using the antibiotic until it�s completely gone. Do that & Kittiara should be as good as new.�
�Thank you so much!� Trelweny beamed, hugging Kittiara. �How much do we owe you?�
�That will be $250 PowerBucks for the examination and another $100 PowerBucks for the treatment.� Dr. Sayahh casually replied. Non-pulsed Trelweny paid the good doctor.
�It doesn�t feel itchy anymore!� Kittiara exclaimed eagerly. �I think it�s starting to work already!� The women laughed. The leopard pouted, thinking they were making fun of her. �No, I�m serious! The itching has stopped!�
�That�s great, Kittiara� but it doesn�t mean you�re in the clear yet. The ointment should be helping relieve some of your symptoms, young Kittiara, but it�s the antibiotic that will make the real magic & keep the eye infection away.�
�Um. Okay. I guess. If you say so.� She was not quite convinced, so Dr. Sayahh proceeded to elaborate.
�Let me try to explain. Bacteria are tiny living things that can cause you to get sick. Are you with me so far?� Kittiara nodded her yellow head. �Good. Now, when these bacteria get in your eyes your body�s immune system tries to fight them off & make them leave.�
�My immune system fights the bacteria? Like animals fight in the arena?�
Dr. Sayahh chuckled & Trelweny giggled behind her hands. �You can think of it like that, but the battle is so tiny it�s next to impossible to see. Also, your immune system is fighting for the death of the bacteria, where the fights in the arena are more for fun.�
Kittiara scrunched up her nose as she took the information in. �Okay. So they�re fighting. What next?�
�The immune system tries different ways to battle the bacteria & it can have some very interesting results. In the case of your eyes it brings in lots of liquid to try & flush out the bacteria invaders.�
�Oh. So if my immune system is already fighting the bacteria, why do I need to come here?�
The Vet chuckled. �Sometimes the immune system needs a little boost. That�s where the antibiotics come in. They help fight off the bacteria faster.� She tried to put in terms the little leopard might better understand. �It�s like giving weapons to pets before they go into a battle in the fight arena. They might be able to win on their own, but if they are given a weapon it can greatly increase their chances.�
�Oh, I see! That does make a lot of sense when you put it that way. So why do I have to take it until its all gone? Can�t I just stop taking it once I�m better?�
The Veterinarian�s smile faded. �You mustn�t do that, Kittiara. The reason you absolutely MUST finish taking the antibiotics is to make sure every last one of the little menaces is killed or destroyed. If you stop taking the antibiotic too soon some will escape to cause the infection again. When escaped bacterium return they are often stronger than those from before, and they�re usually immune to the antibiotic then too. Once that happens they�re much more difficult to get rid of.� She looked at Kittiara stearnly. �So promise me you�ll keep using the antibiotic until it�s completely gone, okay?�
The yellow leopard nodded vigorously. She certainly did not want to get sick again! �And the ointment? How�s it work?�
�It helps fight too, but most of what it does is make you feel better while the antibiotics do their job.�
�Wow! I never knew being sick could be so interesting!� The women burst out laughing.
�As long as you don�t get sick too often, Kittiara.�
�Don�t worry! I won�t!�
They thanked Dr. Sayahh once more and walked into the bright sunshine of the New Barkston day. As they made their way home to their one bedroom apartment, Kittiara thought that the trip was not half-bad for her first visit to the vet.
Back to top Quirky Tails 3: Kittiara Finds Her Way Home
The little leopard Kittiara stretched contentedly. �This certainly is the life! Beats being in the pound any day!�
It had been a week since Trelweny had found her in the Xiang Chung-Shi Pound and adopted her. The instant those brown human eyes had met hers, Kittiara knew that she had found a friend to take care of her� forever. Kittiara was very thankful everyday since that Trelweny�s brother, Hakinaro, brought her to the place he had met his tiger Jakanar. If not for that fateful event, Kittiara would not be so happy.
Trelweny bounded from the bedroom & Kittiara rubbed against her legs. �Whoa, Girl!� The young woman laughed as the leopard�s weight almost upset her balance. �You sure are getting big fast!�
After combing through Kittiara�s fur & giving her a hug. Trelweny sat back. �I�m going to have to go shopping for more food, Kitti. You nearly eat me out of house & home.� At the leopard�s apologetic expression Trelweny hugged her fiercely. �Not your fault, Kitti. You�ve got a healthy appetite for a growing young leopard cub. Maybe I can get a job while I�m out, or a few books.� Kittiara�s ears pricked up at the mention of books. She loved it when Trelweny read to her.
Continuing on with her vocal thoughts, the young woman shook her head sorrowfully. �You�re going to be too big for our apartment pretty soon� I should check & see how the new housing development is doing.�
Kittiara gazed at her sadly, already dreading the answer. �Can I come too?�
�Not this time, Kittiara. Don�t worry! I won�t be gone long!� With a hug & a wave Trelweny stepped out the door. Kittiara heard the key turn as Trelweny locked the door from the outside.
For a while the little leopard played with her toys; the blue car bounced nicely against her many rubber balls & they spun across the floor in a wild pattern of rainbow hues. Then she found her chewy rope & became melancholy. �I can�t play tug of war alone! Where�s Trelweny?�
Going to the door Kittiara stood up against it, hoping to see through the peephole as she had seen Trelweny do in the past. Much to her surprise her forepaws hit the doorknob & it turned! The door swung open. Kittiara looked out with trepidation.
�She locked it, didn�t she?� Cocking her little yellow head quizzically, Kittiara recalled the events of Trelweny leaving. �She did! She did lock it! So why is it open? �Maybe it only stays locked from the outside!� With that thought Kittiara bounded from the apartment into the hall. �Now to find Trelweny!�
She knew the way out of the building, how to wait for the door so that she wouldn�t get her tail caught. That was the easy part.
Stepping out into the street in the bright sunlight there was a loud & deep �Beeeep!� Kittiara jumped out of the way of the massive truck moments before it would have splattered her to goo.
She stood there shaking from her near miss for a few moments until the shock of almost being run over so soon on her first adventure out on her own fades a little bit. �Whew! That was close! That truck almost creamed me! Vehicles can go lots faster than I can! Maybe I should avoid the road from now on.�
So, avoiding the roads, Kittiara first went to the PowerMall, then the Job Agency, then to the library, & lastly to the housing development. At each place she asked if Trelweny had been there, giving a detailed description of her human. �She has light brown hair, to her mid back & lovely chocolate-y brown eyes! She usually wears blue or red or both & a hat she says is on backwards. She smells like apples & vanilla & comfort! I�m sure you�ve seen her! Is she here?�
People at each stop HAD seen the human woman, & at each place Kittiara was too late. Trelweny had already gone on to her next destination.
�Where else could she go?� The little leopard wondered as she wandered New Barkston aimlessly, her tail dragging dejectedly between her legs, her head hung low. �I�ve checked everywhere she mentioned! She�d already been to the PowerMall for food �I wonder what she got?� Her tummy rumbled hungrily. �I�m so hungry� I�ve got to think of other things to keep my mind off food. Like finding Trelweny!� Pondering what to do the leopard continued her monologue. �Did I forget anyplace she said she�d be going too? There was the place where they�re building houses, & the job agency. Trelweny wasn�t there but I did run into that strange lizard who gave me that weird blue card. I should give it to Trelweny� WHEN I find her that is! She wasn�t a the bookstore anymore, but the shopkeeper DID say she�d bought a book there earlier.�
She sighed in despair, long & heavy. �I�ve been everywhere she mentioned! I don�t know where else to look!� She glanced around her hopelessly, not recognizing a thing. Kittiara sighed heavily. �Now I don�t even know where I am�. How do I get home?�
Her mind recalled her comfortable bed, her toys, & Trelweny�s smiling face. She was not paying attention & so did not notice as she neared the forbidden North Woods. Nor did the lonely leopard notice the creepy shack at its outskirts. But someone noticed her� and was not at all happy to see her so near. �RRRR-oof!!! Ba-arrk!!! Bark-brk-bark-bar- Arrk!�
Kittiara jumped in terror. The huge dog was barreling towards her at an amazing speed. She fled. Running past buildings, the frightened cub was ducking & dodging signs, people & other animals. She didn�t even look back until she could run no further. Kittiara sighed heavily as she fell to the ground. She was exhausted, worn out, & hungry. Not to mention thirsty.
�Now I�m tired AND lost!� She cried, curling up into as small of a ball as she could. Which was not very small with her being a big cat species. �Oh! How I wish I had just waited at home!�
�Kittiara?� A soft voice asked incredulously. �Kittiara!�
Arms encircled her & a familiar scent filled her nose. Kittiara could have sworn it was the scent of apples & vanilla� and comfort. She only knew one human who smelled like that. �Trelweny! Oh, I missed you! How�d you find me?�
The young woman laughed through her tears of joy. �Silly cub! You had me so worried! I�ve been looking for you all evening!�
�I was looking for YOU!� The scared leopard cried. Burrowing into the young woman�s side she continued to wail. Trelweny could do little more than pet & comfort the little leopard until she could compose herself somewhat.
�I looked everywhere: the PowerMall, the bookstores, the housing place, and the library. Everywhere! But I kept missing you! I had the WORST luck! A truck almost hit me & I got lost & a big scary Bitsa chased me all through the town� & now I only want to go home! Won�t you take me home?�
�Poor cubling! Can�t you see that you made it all by yourself? We�re right outside of our building!�
At first the leopard could only stare at her human in disbelief. There was no way possible that after all she had been through she had made it back to their apartment building all by herself. Trelweny�s encouraging smile swayed her doubts. Kittiara looked & saw this was true. She had found her way home.
