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Hi everybody! My name is Chalky, I think some of you may have read about me before, I'm a big, handsome, white tom cat who adopted an artist-lady this year. You see I was living in a shelter with lots and lots of other cats and some dogs and a couple of donkeys too! But I decided I had enough of being crowded and overlooked, I wanted a human slave all of my own! So, when a lady called Aoife, or you might know her as Eva if you're on twitter, came to visit the shelter I spruced myself up and acted extra sweet, turning on the charm, you might say! Well, like a lot of people who come to shelters, she was kind of looking for a kitten, but when she met me she naturally couldn't resist my charms and said "What about this one?". The rest is history, hehe!

So here we are and it's almost Christmas! Mama (as I now called the artist lady) said I can have anything I want from Santa Claws as it's my first Christmas in a home of my own, so I've been thinking about it! There are all kinds of exciting toys out there for kitties these days! Gadgets, and thing-a-me-bobs, that whirl and spin and light up and shake and roll! There are scratchy cat towers, and deluxe kitty condos and plush beds decorated with paw patterns or tiger prints, there's catnip mice and glitter balls and shiny crinkle toys...oh I could go on and on and on! Lately I can't sleep with the visions of sugar mice dancing in my head!

I need to think clearly, I need to sit down with a pencil and paper and make a list! Oh, and then I'll send it to Santa Claws! This is going to be great! I mean, anything I want! Anything!!! Okay, so here goes, I want...hmm...those laser toys look fun...what about a mechanical mouse, I could get two of those in case one breaks...yes, and a new feather toy! I'll write all those down...and I need some treats too! I'm fussy, but I bet I'd like those special milk drops for cats...yes and...and...and.... You know, it's almost like there's too much stuff out there...too many "things" to want and have. This time last year I had just arrived in the shelter, and I had nothing, I didn't even have my health, I was very, very ill, and look at me now, I have a human of my very own, and a nice warm house and bed...it IS everything I ever wanted...I don't think I need anything else...I'm already...well...HAPPY!.

So here is my letter to Santa Claws;

For all Chalky has been through, he's one of the lucky ones. There are thousands of cats just like Chalky still in shelters around Ireland, and millions (conservative estimate) around the world. If you would like to donate to the shelter Chalky came from you can do so here: http://ancatdubh.net/fundraising.htmOr alternatively donate to your local shelter or animal charity this Christmas, remember every penny or cent helps!