Ode to Spot

I rather enjoy listening to Commander Data's wonderful recital of 'Ode to Spot' who wrote it in honor of his cat. I think pet lovers in particular will get a good chuckle out of this episode of TNG 'Schisms' because its just hilarious. The poem itself exposes Spots natural behavioural habits and the personal relationship the creature has with its owner, Data who has come to consider Spot as a true and valued friend.

Tell me, after listening to Data's Ode to Spot, how does your emotional state of mind feel?

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and or CBS Studios.

Felis Cattus, is your taxonomic nomenclature,

an endothermic quadruped carnivorous by nature?

Your visual, olfactory and auditory senses

contribute to your hunting skills, and natural defenses.

I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations,

a singular development of cat communications

that obviates your basic hedonistic predilection

for a rhythmic stroking of your fur, to demonstrate affection.

A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents;

you would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance.

And when not being utilized to aide in locomotion,

it often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion.

O Spot, the complex levels of behaviour you display

connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array.

And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend,

I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkies.