It's not easy, being a rat
Nobody wants to adopt you
They always go for the cats, dogs or foxes
It's left me feeling quite blue

I've been traded over and over
Put in an adoption center,
The Pound, free pets, contest prizes
It's like a personal tormentor 

In trade rules, it's all the same
"No rats or I'll cancel the trade"
We're always used as an add on for them
A vermin is how we're portrayed

But there's always a few, a handful if that
Who like us and don't push us away
Who give us forever homes and love us a lot
Who always seem to make our day

To those people, the ones who care
I thank you from the bottom of my heart
You make us feel wanted, all of us
Not like we're trash, like we're pieces of art

People and pets alike bustle around
Pups and kids spin 'round and 'round
Finding the perfect gift for your precious pets
Getting the discounts so you can pay off checks
The holiday season is quite the fright!
But at the end of this scary tunnel there is a light,
When you see your pets open up all their gifts!

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Chicken smoothie is awesome
and tess is too!

"Oh, Avian! I loooove going to the store!" Totoro chirped.
"We're only here to get a few things," Avian replied. "We can't spend all of our Chicken Dollars." Avian grabbed one of the shopping carts, and Totoro perched herself in the newborn seat.
"I'm going to look around!" Totoro exclaimed. "I'll catch up to you soon!"
Totoro flew away from the cart. Around her were tons of pets, young and old. Two pink cats were talking to each other while looking at some wigs. A puppy was whining to his mom because he didn't want to try on a suit for his aunt's wedding.
"Come on, you're not wearing a t-shirt there!" She said.
"But I don't wanna wear a stupid suit!" He whined.

Totoro landed into the Objects section of the store - filled with everything she loved. She found an empty cart, left by a pet who had forgotten their wallet.
"Headphones and an MP3!" She exclaimed, placing the blue one in the cart.
"A lucky cat! This would go perfect in my bedroom!" She whispered to herself as she placed it in the cart. She started to place more things in the basket- Sushi, a grill, and a squid chew toy. Then, she moved to the accessories.
"These winter clothes are nice!" She said, placing the hat, scarf, and mittens into the cart.
"Wow!" She exclaimed. "Look at all of these flags! She placed all 50 of them into the cart.
"I think Avian needs some new goggles", she said. "These green tech ones look cool!"

Soon, her cart got more and more full. She had spent two hours getting what seemed like everything in the store, from a rainbow afro to a yellow snail costume to chicken pajamas that were meant for rats. Other pets stared in shock when she walked past them. Avian had not seen her cart yet. When she got to the checkout, the dog said,
"That'll be 472 Chicken Dollars, please!" Totoro pulled out Avian's wallet, filled with pictures of them at a water park. She pulled out the credit card and handed it to the cashier. She swiped it, and Totoro signed it.
"Have a nice day!" She said. "Next!" Totoro walked over to where Avian was: Looking at soap.
"AVIAN! I'M DONE SHOPPING!" She yelled in Avian's ear.
"Okay, okay." Avian said. "Let's go. There's not a very good soap selection here-" Avian turned around and saw the cart.
"TOTORO!" Avian yelled. Yet Totoro was one step ahead. She was already out of the store.

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.