The problem with being a new creature on Earth was that each of the two clans had different priorities. Mira was a very independent cat-dog of the Whiskers clan. The new species of cat-dogs had evolved over the years because of the constant divisive comments from humans. So often cats had heard humans say “I am a dog person, not a cat person” and so often the dogs had heard humans say “I am a cat person, not a dog person.” After thousands of years of these hurtful comments finally a new breed of creature had been born. The cat-dog. But the truth about cat-dogs is that they were quite confused. The Panting clan were not independent, like the Whiskers clan, and always wanted to hang out and play games.

The cat-dogs had a range of fur colours and fur patterns. The evolution sometimes produced some strange results such as a dog with calico fur or a cat that looked like a golden retriever. Their ears had become pointier and less droopy. Some had whiskers, in particular the Whiskers clan.

Mira and her brothers, Warrior and Redmoon loved to catch mice but Mira was by far the best hunter. She rolled back on her hind legs and pounced to get a bird but missed. She darted after it, weaving through trees and hopping over streams until finally it was caught. She ate her fill and looked around. Where was she? She sniffed the air and recoiled. A loud bark rang from behind her. Mira got startled and ran… right into the Panting clan’s territory. She hid in the shadows and saw other cat-dogs chasing each others tails.
“Hello there!” a voice said from behind, “Would you like to join us?”

Mira yelped and turned face to face with a Panting Clan cat-dog. She let out a high pitched bark and scampered up the tree. Her claws held firmly on the scratchy bark. She’d gone so fast and so high that she was stuck.

The cat-dog who had bark-miaowed hello introduced himself as Geras. Realizing that Mira was trapped he pounced onto the tree but to no avail. However the Panting Clan didn’t give up as Mira hoped they would do. They persisted as they each took turns running and jumping but they weren’t getting anywhere near Mira.

The Panting clan soon formed a plan. The biggest Panting sat at the bottom then another climbed up on its shoulders until there was a pillar of cat-dogs leaning against the tree. Finally one of them grabbed Mira from the scruff of her neck and helped her down.
As Mira collapsed on the ground with relief the Panting cat-dogs stood around watching her.

“Does that mean you’ll play with us? Please? Please? I mean we did just rescue you.” One of them said. Mira sighed, it was only fair so she nodded yes. The Panting cat-dogs wagged their tails so hard she thought the trees would blow away.

The cat-dogs yipped in excitement. “Oh! I know! Let’s play tag! Everyone loves tag!” said Geras. Mira groaned. Not everybody she thought. She would much rather sunbathe or sleep but they had saved her life.

So they ran and bounced frantically around the trees and to her surprise Mira realized that she was actually enjoying herself! She didn’t know that she would love running so much.

Suddenly Redmoon and Warrior who had been looking for their sister burst through the trees with their claws ready to attack. “Mira we’ll save you- … what is happening?”

“Hi boys! I am ok! We are playing tag and having a great time! Want to join in?”
Redmoon and Warrior could not believe their eyes but gradually began to join in the fun. After another ten minutes of running around all together Mira and her brothers were exhausted and fancied a cat nap.

“Ok, Geras. We loved your games but I think it is time to rest now! Can we have a lie down?”
The puffing Pantings agreed, and for a while the two tribes all curled up in the sun on the grass for a snooze.

Suddenly noisy human footsteps came crunching through the leaves. The Pantings sat up and looked their cutest. The Whiskers looked alarmed and darted behind the trees.

One human approached Mira making a strange “psss psss” noise with her lips stuck together.
Mira´s mind was running in overdrive. Should she hiss and run away or approach and see if it’s friendly or not? She backed up unsure of what to do but then the human knelt and extended their hand. She stared at it but there was an inviting aroma coming from the brown cubes in her hand. Mira knelt and slowly, gently ate. Geras bounced up to her, tail wagging at one hundred kilometers an hour. The humans were calling him “Good boy!” for some reason.

“Do you know these people?” Mira whispered to Geras.

“Yeah they always come and feed us yummy things. They also have round things they throw for us, which are great fun although sometimes they tell us to calm down a bit!” replied Geras.

“You should sometimes – you are exhausting!” said Mira, yawning and licking her paws.

“Well you should be friendlier sometimes,” retorted Geras. “Look how much fun we all had today!”

“Guess we could learn a few things from each other, ” purred Mira, feeling full and happy.

“I guess that’s why we aren’t just cats or dogs anymore,” piped up Redmoon who had been watching the humans cooing over all the cat-dogs.

“They want to take you and I to their home, you know Mira” said Geras. “Non-stop food and cuddles if you don’t mind not being in the wild.”

“Might be worth a try,” replied Mira to his surprise. “I could always escape and come back if I didn’t like it. But what about my brothers?”

“Oh there´s more than enough humans. More will come. They can´t live without us cat-dogs!” laughed Geras.