Timmy's New Identity (Children's)

Timmy's New Identity

Timmy's New Identity

Cody Buckholdt

Once upon a time, there was a dog named Timmy. He was just six months old and was full of life. He lived with his owner, his parents, and two cats named George and Lucy. Timmy loved to climb on the couch to sleep on the back, and his favorite food was fish. He loved watching the view out the window and when he went on walks, his favorite pastime, he would try to climb the trees. Timmy was a very happy dog.

One day, Timmy was climbing onto the back of the couch when he noticed the neighbor dogs. They didn't act like Timmy at all. They ate dog food and slept in a bed on the floor. They didn't even climb trees on their walks! He was very confused. Were they doing dog activities, or were they all different?

He looked around the room and noticed George and Lucy heading towards him to join him on the couch.

"Hello Timmy!" Said George.

"What are you up to?" Asked Lucy.

Timmy sighed. "I was looking out the window and saw some of the other dogs not doing the things I do. They don't climb trees and they don't eat fish. They don't even sleep on the back of the couch. Are they real dogs? Am I not one?"

"Don't feel bad, Timmy." Said Lucy. "You are a dog just like them! You don't have to do everything they do to be a dog. If you're a dog, then you're a dog and that's that!"

"But what if I don't do anything like them?" Asked Timmy. "I don't eat dog food, I don't sleep on a bed, and I always snuggle in my owners lap when I can. Am I still a dog?"

"Of course!" Replied George. "Just because you act differently doesn't mean you aren't one. Everyone has their likes and dislikes!"

"Even though my actions are more like a cat's?" Timmy wondered.

George and Lucy shared a look before focusing on Timmy. "What do you think you are?" George asked.

Timmy thought long and hard. He always thought of himself as a dog, but he never did feel like one. He thought of himself as being more cat-like. After a long pause, he finally answered, "I think I'm a cat!"

George and Lucy spoke in unison. "Then you're a cat, and that's that!"

Timmy smiled, filled with glee! His questions were finally answered and he finally knew who he was! He jumped off the couch, like a cat, and ran as fast as he could to tell his parents the good news.

Timmy found his parents out in the kitchen eating their supper. They turned around in time to see their son happily running to them.

"Mom! Dad! I'm a cat!" Timmy shouted proudly. His parents, however, did not look as pleased as him and he slowed his pace.

His mom spoke first. "I'm sorry son, but you're a dog and not a cat."

"But I feel more like a cat and not a dog." Timmy said.

"That doesn't change the fact you were born a dog." His dad answered back. "You look like a dog, you bark like a dog, so you must be a dog."

"But I do nothing like a dog." Timmy argued. "I eat fish, not dog food. I sleep on the back of the couch, not a bed."

Timmy's dad shook his head. "But dogs love to sleep on furniture as well. So it's dog-like."

Timmy shrugged. "I like one thing dogs also like, but everyone is different."

"Exactly!" His dad replied, "So you're a dog and that's that!"

"Wouldn't you have to do everything a cat does?" His mom asked. "It's one thing to eat fish and climb trees, but you'd also have to use a litter box. That would be awkward since you're a dog."

"I don't have to do everything a cat does!" Timmy cried. "I can do some things dogs do and some things cats do and still be a cat. I can go on walks still and climb trees. I can eat fish but I hate getting in boxes, something cats love. And as for the litter box, we all do the same thing but in different places. I wouldn't be trying to do anything other than to do my business. If they respect me they would do the same!"

His dad shook his head. "I don't like this. You're still born a dog. You can't choose to be a cat."

Timmy nodded. "I know, but I feel like a cat born in a dog's body. Shouldn't I be the one to make this choice? Isn't it more harmful to stop me from being the me I'm supposed to be?"

His parents looked at each other and nodded. "You're right, son." His dad said. "If you're a cat, then you're a cat and we can't say otherwise!"

His mom walked up to Timmy and hugged him. "We love you very much, Timmy. We would never want to stop you from being true to yourself! If you're a cat, then you be the best cat you can be!"

And with that, Timmy the dog became Timmy the cat. He still went on walks with his owner, but he now greeted everyone like a cat. He climbed trees higher than ever, and the fish tasted even better. The sun felt warmer when he sat on the back of the couch, and his naps made him feel more refreshed. He felt more alive once he decided to be true to himself.

He knew not everyone is like him, but he respected those who were just dogs, those who were just cats, and those who identified as something else. If they were confused, he answered their questions so they could understand. If someone else felt like he did, he tells them to embrace who they are. Timmy was a cat, and that was that.

The End