By: DEE

Friday the 13^th was our beloved Wayne’s (Incognito’s) birthday and there were birthday growls and hisses by one and all. Amid the birthday festivities, there was actually a Ryder tournament with a menagerie that would do a zoo proud – a wolf, a toucan, a squirrel, a duck and a Jink (?) played for the dogs all under the caring arms of a Clear Blue Sky, along with puppies and all their human companions. The cats were joined by a Ladybug, a Wombie (possibly a cross between a wombat and zombie?), a Rabbit, a Kamel, ACastofMany (of many what we don’t know, but many), a Silver Wind perhaps blown in by our felineous Dragon, and a Harlequin for humor and humans galore.

Round One began with the cats announcing victory after victory. To add to the pain of the puppies, a slam was quickly announced for Cherryrivets and Nili_2000 of 6C. The dogs howled out a cheer when it was announced that DixieDeez and Saluki had managed a slam of 6N. The cats, not to be outdone, strutted their stuff when it was made known that SugarMt2000 and Styles_Rick47 had made TWO slams. Amidst growls of "wait til next round", the final total was 10-5 for the tails-held-high, strutting felines.

Round Two proceeded normally except that canine teeth were bared and barking their wins to the world. Dixie and Sal eked out a win at their table with another slam bid and made! The final score was Dogs 13, Cats 17.

As the menagerie patiently waited for Round 3 to begin, there was more revelry in honor of our birthday boy and threats galore issued from feline, canine and other throats.

Finally, after a slight bit of confusion, kittens cavorted as the cats announced the first win and puppies ran behind garbage cans in dismay. A slam was announced by SmiloDonKiwi and Aimeejouie for the cats. The pups cringed! Then, a slam by Sugar and Styles. Poor puppies. As the round continued, puppies were seen coming out and chasing their tails in glee as the hounds overcame the felines. Wait! A win by the cats. No, not another win by those horrendous felines! The score was tied. Then, a slam by Rsquirrel/Slush_Puppy! The adorable puppies yipped their approval. The pups and kits all sat and held their breath as one table would announce a victory for each team. Finally, down to three tables and the cats were ahead by 27-25. TheHolyGuy/Suzy and Mean_Ole_Dog/Better_Duck123 announced a draw! A draw? This could spell disaster – a tie for the Ryder was possible, but thinking quickly, this mean old witch asked they stay around to play a final hand if necessary to break a tie. Then, a win for the cats! Another win for the cats and they were off the hook. Final result was 31-25 for the ferocious felines. The kute kittens danced in the air, flinging their paws around anyone within reach … even the forlorn puppies.

The Cat Team was comprised of Star/PPP_P2, Cherryrivets/Nili_2000, Upswede/Gaunicz, Incognito_UK/ScorpioKirsten, TheHolyGuy/Suzy, SugarMt2000/Styles_Rick47, Nybob/Megin, SmiloDonKiwi/Aimeejouie, Bobsgirlanne (replaced by Kamel for Rounds 2/3)/Avid, Silverwind_Caca/Little_Ladybug, Wombiepie/Producer, Kittny/Rueful Rabbit, Harlequin_Smiles/Ernietomcat, Momscottie/Irish472001, Orla/ACastofMany.

The Dog Team had as illustrious combantants Stgiles/Col_f150, Timothy_Toucan/Rainlan, Puppyfinn/Lorainew, Gmtown/Wpied, Jamesgreywolf/Joysandra, Psspill/Deuce_Prize, Drannalee/Woo7NT, Rsquirrel/Slushpuppy, DixieDeez/Saluki, Keychild/Suegloss, JickytheJink/Springer2013, Clear_Blue_Sky/Bruce, I8CatsforDinner/Tx_Bone_Dog, DPman/Zebbon, Mean_Ole_Dog/Better_Duck123.

As reported, slams were made by Cherryrivets/Nili_2000, SugarMt2000/Styles_Rick47 (two in one round), DixieDeez/Saluki (one in each of the first two rounds), SmiloDonKiwi/Aimeejouie and Rsquirrel/Slush_Puppy. A slam may have been in the offing for Drannalee and Woo7NT but for their opponents conceding the round and leaving before it could be played out.

Kudos for the undefeated pairs of Cherryrivets and Nili_2000. SugarMt2000 and Styles_Rick47, Orla and ACastofMany, and Kittny and Rueful_Rabbit – all of whom were of the feline persuasion. TheHolyGuy and Suzy also deserve kudos for the two wins and one draw in the final round.

Dropping by for a brief visit in her oh-so-glamorous neck brace was our friend and lover Barbara1424_99. Nice to see you up and about. The Big Dog, Goat and Moose were all missing in action. And if anyone sees Errikos, do tell him he is missed and his gracious presence is desired.

Many thanks to our wonderful subs (with whom the tourney would have ended far too early) of Kamel, Cinna, Roo, Jean, Melkor, Cave_Draco and a few whose names I’ve forgotten (with my sincere and abject apologies).

And that, ladies and gentlemen, felines and canines, critters of all other persuasions, elements and the like, is as impartial as this witch can be. WAY TO GO CATS!!!!