Kate Storms won first place and Lynette Cabrera won second place in the Pet Poetry Contest hosted by Peace of Mind Pet Sitting.

Storms received a total prize package valued at $375; Cabrera received a total prize package valued at $175.

"I want to thank everyone — countywide — who entered their wonderful poetry and came out to the Open Mic/reading. It was fun to hear everyone," said coordinator Jaileen Panger, a member of Pet Sitters International.

"And I of course would like to thank all the local businesses who donated their fantastic products and services, and those off-island as well. It could not have happened without you."

See the sponsored prizes and read all of the entries on the Peace of Mind Pet Sitting Web site.

Here are the top two entries.

Atticus

by Kate Storms

the first time we met you ran from me
far and fast
it took three volunteers and I chasing around the shelter
flapping our hands
clucking our tongues
cooing like mamas
to lure you back

the drive home was three hours
and you cried the whole way
making me feel like some sort of abuser
who traps adorable puppies
and makes them take extended road trips

I took it terribly personally
and almost wept myself
thinking I had made an awful mistake
a stupid girl who could barely take care of herself
roping a helpless rescue dog into her crazy

I sang to you and you yelped louder
I talked to you and you tried to break free of the plastic blue crate
I pleaded with you and you barked in rebellion
until I was sure my heart would crack open
and we would both fall in the ensuing crevice

eventually I turned on the BBC station
by then it was late and I needed the radio to keep me alert
whether it was the cricket scores or the steady, sweet cadence of the host's voice
I have no idea why and how
but both of us pulled it together
maybe it's because there is something soul-quieting
about driving through a dark desert
while listening to the British morning news GMT

I'm so glad we're the same in that way

and every time
for the rest of my life
that I hear them whipping around,
signing off from Paris, Buenos Aires, Marrakesh and Warsaw
hot happy tears bubble up
remembering that first night and peace between us

* * *

Kryptonite Kittens

by Lynnette Cabrera

"Kryptonite Kittens
You are my fuzzy weakness
Seven cats at home!"

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