I remember the day I was adopted.
It was long ago, in July 2008. My owner, Samantha, gave me my name: Lilly. Samantha was a young girl, around 13. She checked up on me every day after school. For Christmas, she gave me some Pocky. It looked like she had an endless supply because every time I gobbled one up, she would pull out another one out of a box! We loved each other, and we were happy.

However, over time, Samantha got older. Soon, she went into high school and was buried by the amount of homework she got. She visited me less and less often. Then, one day, she adopted another pet to keep me company. His name was Polar, probably because his fur was as white as a polar bear. We became siblings, but it wasn't enough. I missed Samantha, and our cuddles and how she told me about her day. Once, she never visited for two long months.

Many years later, she came back with a basket. She placed me and Polar in it. Why was she doing this? Where were we going? I started to shake. Samantha looked at us with a sad face.
"I'm sorry, Lilly and Polar, but I have to send you to the pound." The pound? I've never heard of it. We walked inside. It didn't look too bad. At least, the lobby. Samantha walked over to us. "I'll never forget either of you. I'm sorry I have to do this, but goodbye." Then she kissed both of our foreheads and walked out the door.

Always thank the ones who run an adoption center,
For they run it from kindness.
They pour their heart and soul in the pets
Just to spread happiness.

And always follow their rules,
For they ask only a bit.
And don’t argue with them
About their pet limit.

Understand they can’t always be on
And be patient with them.
Just follow the rules, ask for the pet, wait,
And you will get him.

Sometimes they get annoyed
At how some don’t listen.
If you accidentally forget the rules, follow them immediately.
Cooperate, and if you do, you just might make their day glisten.

“How do you know this?” you may ask.
You see, I run one myself, second time to be exact.
And trust me, I try to make everyone happy.
So when you adopt, act the way you should act.

"I live in the shadow of the Lolita,"
He said,
Looking down at his own gold fur.
"We are siblings of the same litter.
How she is above me, I do not know.
Are we not the same kin and rarity?
But I live in the shadow of the Lolita."

"I live in the shadow of the Liontail,"
She said,
Her white spotted fur sparkling with glitter.
"The Liontails are higher than I,
And the lists are important to me.
And there's such a big gap between the lists!
I fear that I live in the shadow of the Liontail."

"I live in the shadow of the Scarf PPS,"
He said,
His tufted tail flicking.
"Even my brother is a tier above me,
But at least I can share my tier with my sister.
I don't really like these tiers much,
Where I live in the shadow of the Scarf PPS."

"I live in the shadow of the White Dragon,"
She said,
Meekly adjusting her scarf.
"He is worth so much more than I,
And I feel useless compared to the URs.
But I will keep living,
And I live in the shadow of the White Dragon."

"I live in the shadow of the Blue Rose,"
He said,
Leathery wings folded up at his sides.
"I am majestic and beautiful.
She is simple and weak.
How is she superior?
And yet, I live in the shadow of the Blue Rose."

"I live in the shadow of the Pink Balloon,"
She said,
Vines tangled around her body.
"He is worth three of me,
And I don't know how to feel,
Being a third of somebody.
Still I live in the shadow of the Pink Balloon."

"I live in the shadow of the Ice Cat,"
He said,
His balloon bobbing in the breeze.
"I understand that they're UR,
But it still feels unfair.
I guess I should be happy with where I am,
Where I live in the shadow of the Ice Cat."

"I live in the shadow of the Aussie,"
She said,
Her blue fur cold to the touch.
"I am a cat, and they are a dog.
Why must this mean anything?
Rarity should not depend on your species!
But, I live in the shadow of the Aussie."

And up and up the tiers it went, until the Tiger Dog.
But none of these pets understood
What it would be like if they just ignored their tiers.
You are not defined by your rarity.

Be yourself.

Every single day I turn on my Kindle.
Every Single day I go to " My Pets "
Every single day I I check to see if last month's rarities have arrived.
Every single day I sigh.... until....
OMG!!!!!! They're here!!!!!! I enjoy them for a month........
and the cycle starts again.