The Gather gremlins gobbled up my first version. Here's another go. Merlin wrote it. I can't vouch for his writing skills. Of course he didn't save it and so it won't be quite as good as the original :-( I apopolize for sending this out to far less groups in order to save time.
"Mom, wake up. it's my birthday today!" said Merlin the most handsome cat in all of Gatherland. Well, at least in the one with the largest ego. 
"Yes, Layla. Wake up. I want to go outside!" said Merlin's sister, Coco.
"How long do we have to wait for this birthday party?"
"Ooooh cake. I hope it's chopped liver."
"I smell something good.
Coco, sniffed, "Who invited that feral cat, Domino?" 
Merlin said, "I did. He's homeless and needs love too. Besides he's half Siamese."
"Look who else is here. It's Tinch's cute kitty, Jonquil."
Coco caterwauled, "I feel so old. I can't believe I'm 13!"
"Coco, you're still cute and anyway, the oldest Siamese lived until 36!."
Coco, hissed, "Who invited a dog?"
"Chill, that's Tuck, Elizabeth E's, dog and her cat Sophia. I have lots of dog friends at my group, FRIENDS OF MERLIN. And Sophia was crowned Queen Sophia of Gather at the first Gather pet contest sponsored by my group.
"Make a wish Coco."
Coco purred, "Here's gift for you, Merlin. The Gather Gnome couldn't make it but sends his regards."
Merlin handed a gifted wrapped package to Coco. "Here's gift for you. Layla isn't the only writer in the family."
"Thanks Merlin, but is it as good as Layla's novel, Peace, Love and Chocolate? I heard it's a semi-finalist in the First Chapter's competition."
Birthday's are so exhausting! 
Merlin purred, "Yeah, I had too much mouse mousse. Let's have a nap." 
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Comments: 105
Thanks for inviting me. Happy Birthday, Merlin.
Happy Birthday Kitties!
... but I'm afraid you-know-who might smoke it ...
Happy Happy Birthday to Merlin and Coco!!
Tigger's birthday is tomorrow but I haven't planned anything that elaborate.
hmmmm.
How did you make their cake? Please please share ! :)
Love yall
Opal and Otis say "So what." Of course, they're cats. :)
Wonderful!
I have no idea when my cat, Ashes, birthday is, but, then, neither does she so I'm in the clear. We do random celebrations.
Your human companion sure did go all out to create a groovy celebration...
Layla, too cute and very well executed!...love the variety of shots and bubble speak...gorgeous cats!
cheers,gayle
Please read and rate my entry:
A Scandalous Overture
Good luck, Layla. I liked the photos and descriptions. You're very gifted.
Funny my Sheltie the Princess precious Shelbie just turned two 9-20th I made my daughter who turned 18 on 9-25 share her birthday with her. We had treats & friends too.
I love your photo essay.
I wish I would have taken photo's good for you.
God Bless
10*
(My furry cuddly babies.)
Thanks for sharing this wonderful birthday with us!! :D
Dancing with my Dream (Vote Round Two)"
Ophelia: "So Sophia, where have you been all day today? Haven't seen you around all day.
"Probably out in the bogs with Tuck...I saw the two of them slinking off earlier today while Mistress Elizabeth was at school. You know what the mistress say don't ya'...owls are out there...and with one swoop their grab you with their claws and make mince meat out of ya" said Othello with knowledge of the forest swirling in his head!"
"Wellllll, you two don't know anything. Tuck and I were invited to the "Happening of the Year" on Gather....the birthday party of Merlin and Coco....only the "finest 500" are invited and so you know what that means....we're on the Vanderbuilt guest list...or is it the Astor 500. I don't know....but what I do know is that we had SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCHHHHHH
FUNNNNNNN and Tuck was the hit of the party.....we played Pin the Tale on Tuck. Tuck, wasn't that fun?"
"I do say Sophia, I was a bit embarrassed about the Pin the Tale part....but merlin and coco are just so much fun....they made me feel right at home...for awhile there I thought I was going to purr!" said Tuck.
"And what about the food, Tuck. The mistress has never baked a cake like that for us!"
"Yes, but the mistress has also never written a novel....mistresses that write novels also bake I Gather....they go hand in hand, you might say. By the way did you catch the title of the novel?"
"Oh yes, Catnips by Merlin"
"No, no, the novel of the Mistress...the one that's going to be a bestseller?"
Oh you mean...."Peace, Love and Chocolate"?
"Yessss....with a title such as that, it bound to win the Second Chapter Contest"
At which point, Ophelia's eyes perk up....."You saw THE BOOK....the whole book....did you have a chance to read chapter 3? What happens, come on, tell me....you know how I love books...and that kurt Vonnegut is just too lame for me....but I saw chapters #1 and #2 and am dying to find out what happens next?"
"Ophelia, you know we don't know how to read, the Mistress only taught you. You'll just have to wait and see if "Peace, Love and Chocolate" makes it to the next round. And that means people on Gather need to read the second chapter and vote."
Epilogue to Overheard Conversation: Ophelia really wants to see this book in print so she can read it on her steamer chair...so if you haven't checked out Layla's second chapter do so now or I will have one frustrated kitty on my hands!!!!
"
Love this, Layla, it is simply adorabel!
Looked like a yummmmmmmmmmy liver pate~
LOOKS LIKE YOU TWO HAVE YOUR HUMAN RIGHT WHERE THEY BELONG, IN YOUR PAWS.
CuJo
WOW! Layla, you really know how to throw a party! :o)
But then I got a second invitation, so I came back, and they finally ler me in :@)
Happy birthday kiddies!!! I wish Gather Gnome copuld have been here, I sure miss him.
Newton cat could use a few good thoughts sent his way as he has 2 broken femurs and is taking it easy lately.( Poor baby : ( ) Cats CAN fall out of trees and get hurt.
My favorite line: Mouse mousse. OMG!!!!!!!!!!
Happy birthday kitties!!!!!!!!!
;o)
..
U
Purrs and best wishes - and a little jelously from Rocky. (He's never had mouse mousse.)
Dave, thanks and kiitos for the greeting in Finnish!
Amy, I'm sending Rocky mouse mousse by special delivery.
:-) Quinn!
Thanks, John O, no party is complete without you.
Mr. Bill, LOL
Thanks Debbie!
Rosemary, children's books? I'm working on one.
Jackie, thanks!
Nana thanks, purrs to Fuzzy and the ferals...
Nippy, lol, we still love Opal & Otis.
Thanks, Rambleman, Audrey, Mike e you noticed ;-)
Thanks Jerry, Taylor,
John, random works. I'm lucky to have to exact time of their birth even though I didn't adopt them until they were a year old.
Thanks, Melissa, Marian, Bonnie, Phaedra.
Bear hugs to you, Dan!
Thanks Gayle!
Thanks to fellow First Chapter's contestants; Jerrica, Dena, Judi.
I did no vote whoring in this leg of the competition BUT I would love comments. It's a unique opportunity for me to have feedback on what you like or don't like. It will help as I revise and edit my novel, Peace, Love and Chocolate
Thanks to Ian, Magi, Dee Dee, Old Crow, Esther and your six fur babies!
Thanks Nanina, Sharon, Heather, purrs to your kitties, Simon and Aiden!
LOL Mugg ;-)
LOL, Wiaka and CuJO. So true!!!
Kyra (((hugs)))
Thanks, Ron!,
James, purrs to your Patches and Shadow !
Tonia, thanks to you and your gang, canine, feline and equine !
Thanks, Denise, Gather Guide Cheryl,
Rosa, I've been thinking about writing another Gather Gnome Adventures series. Have an outline but I'm focusing on getting Peace, Love and Chocolate out there first.
Thanks, Pat, Melinda, Barb,Leonard, Brenda, Andrew, Cheryl, Laura, Lyla!!!
LOL, Chip and Rusty!
Mo-zy, July 8th it is ;-) Any special requests?
LOL, Jean, your Plunkett is too smart! Did you really think Merlin would fall for that double sided tape trick two years in a row ;-)
Happy Birthday, Merlin and Coco! I bet it was purrrr-fect!
Now I'm off to read your second chapter. :o)