'Ugly' the Cat!

[Tissue alert!]

'Ugly' The Cat

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting; eating garbage; and, shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye and where the other should have been was a hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. Ugly would have been a dark-gray tabby, striped type — except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction: "That's one UGLY cat!"

All the children were warned not to touch him. The adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands — begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's dogs. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. It must be hurting him terribly, I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.

Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head; then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battle-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk-show specials ever could; and for that I will always be thankful.

He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside; and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful. But for me . . . I will always try to be Ugly.

[Kudos to Debbie, Bailey, & Skippy from Yahoo!Clubs "Animal Psychology."]



=^..^=

I'm all out.... Poor Ugly all he wanted was love

My GOD Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the saddest story I have ever...EVER heard!!!!!!!!!!
I have cried and cried over poor Ugly, and wish to God I could hold and love him! I hope this was not a true story....I feel so bad already for him...

I will be thinking of poor "ugly" suckling at my ear while I am finally trying to go to sleep tonight, and I will mourn for him...I am crying as I write this!

That was so sad.. that poor thing. I really do hope that wasn't a true story. I started crying halfway through that story and still haven't stopped

You know, that just proves that beautiful is not at all about appearance but about heart and soul. His name may have been Ugly but I definitely believe he was one of the most beautiful creatures that God has created.

I will never forget what I just read. Thank you for sharing.


--Cass

I, too, was deeply moved by that story. Perhaps it's an accurate story about a cat named Ugly. Or, perhaps it's about countless other cats who suffered similar fates — as have all too many Earthlings.

In the event, Ugly reminds me of a cat we used to know. His name was Mr. Cat. That's the name we gave him, because he was the local Alpha-male outdoors cat. Like Ugly, he'd been through the wars: Living adjacent to a forest, he had to contend not only with cats but with raccoons and coyotes as well — not to mention adolescent human males, the most dangerous creatures on the face of the earth.

Against these overwhelming odds he survived. And he did this with an attitude: "If you bother me, I will mess you up." And he would, too. But, when not enforcing feline folkways and mores, he was a kind-hearted fellow who returned human affection with feline love. He allowed me to pet his head, but only for a short time; then he'd raise a retracted-claws paw into "bat" mode, to let me know our audience was concluded.

But he'd always come back, every day, for more head-pets and conversation. On the day we left, I explained to him we were going away and would have to bid him good-bye. He looked at me, then (wonder of wonders) gave me a head butt and purred! How I wish we could have taken him with us to our new home! Alas, he would never have tolerated indoor life; nor would he have been safe out of doors here in the city. He was used to his out-of-doors sylvan neighborhood, perils and all. (And I pity the fool who'd try to scruff him and put him in an animal carrier!)

By now, Mr. Cat may be at the Rainbow Bridge. If he's there already, I'm sure he's granting audiences to all manner of cats who sit enthralled listening to his anecdotes and absorbing his wisdom. And he's surely made friends with Ugly.



=^..^=

Okay, this isn't fun anymore!

This is the second night in a row I've come home from work, and had the first post I read bring me to tears.

I'm not an overly emotional person, but anyone who could read this story and not be touched must have a heart of stone.

Mr. Cat, I too thought that this story is not of one cat, but of so many that are out there, just wanting someone to love them...or even show just the smallest bit of affection or even acceptance.

The last 2 weeks there has been a large orange and white cat on my balcony...no small feat since I live on the 3rd floor. I put food and water out for him, expecting him to "eat and run" but that wasn't the case.

The second night I fed him, he came up to the screen and Meowed..LOUDLY. I went to the screen and opened it...and in he came!
He sniffed around, then came up to me and head butted my leg. I bent to cautiously pet him, and could hear him purring before I even touched his soft, but filthy coat.

I let him stay inside for about 10 mins, occasionally petting him, but my girls didn't like it...Lily accepted him but was very curious. Cagney sat by her food dish and growled.

When he jumped into the cubbyhole in the cat tree, Cagney went a little crazy, hissing and spitting (thats HER cubby) and I knew it was time to put the "intruder" out.

He's been back every night, I feed him, but go outside to give him loves.

I managed to get a pic of him in the cubby, but my computer still has no browse button to post it with...still not sure why?

He's a nice cat, and could be very pretty if cleaned up, I put up a FOUND CAT sign on the bulletin board here...no response yet.

I think he was someones pet until recently, but for some reason they moved and left him behind. He is neutered and very affectionate.

Sorry, got a bit long winded, but my point is...there are so many "strays" out there, and every one has it story...but they all are Gods creatures and deserve love.

I will continue to care for this cat, and hope to find him a home...
unfortunately it can't be with us.

Cleo

What a way to start out my day by bawling my eyes out. That story was sad but so touching at the same time that he got love in the end. I too have a stray around my house that I feed. I leave food out for her and I leave my garage door open just a little so she has shelter. She will not let me get anywhere near her but at least I know she is well fed. I hate the fact that there is so many strays out there because people feel animals are disposable. There is nothing is this world that could happen to me that would make me abandon my animals!

Michele

Mr. Cat,

What a heart-wrenching story!! No poor creature should die alone, unloved. I cared for two stray kittens. I came home one day and found one of them (they were brother and sister) very lethargic and feverish. It turned out he had distemper. By the time I got him to the vet, his breathing was labored and he was going downhill fast. But, he didn't die alone. He died in my arms and I got to say goodbye to him which is what every animal should have.

Donna

Amen!



=^..^=

Yeah, yeah, okay so I have my "ugly" moments and had one yesterday. Please don't hold it against me. I was only doing what the voices in my head were telling me to do. No hard feelings??

No, Donna, no hard feelings! The hatchet is officially buried; and there it shall remain. I, too, have my "moments."



In the event, I think your response to this thread was wonderful. I cannot fathom the mentalities which bring about those many cruelties visited upon our fellow Earthlings, the animals. We must hope that compassion for all species grows and does not subside!



=^..^=

Our porch cat, Romeo, was on his way to become "ugly". Then we had him neutered and he looks so much happier now. No more roaming for days and fighting with other Toms. Now he's happy to be getting his meals from us and a lot of loving too. He's the sweetest cat I ever met. I suspect that those cats appreciate the love and attention that they get even more than our spoiled babies.

Most people still tell me that Romeo is the ugliest cat they've ever seen. I think he's really cute and not ugly at all. Here are pictures for you to see.

One more of my handsome Romeo:

I think Romeo is lovely! Just look at those whiskers! And he has such a stately bearing. Yes, he's been in the wars for sure. What anecdotes he can tell, holding the other cats in thrall at his marvelous adventures!

:tounge2:

=^..^=

Anne....I think Romeo is beautiful, not ugly at all!!!

Another reason the story of Ugly the cat touched my heart so very very much, is because about a year and a half ago, before we moved to the farm here...someone dumped a stray dog out in the parking lot where I work. It looked to be some sort of terrior mix, a medium size dog...and not a cute dog at all!! But I came out and fed the poor scared thing on my break, and everyone kept saying how ugly he was...but I fell in love with him....so even though I couldn't have a dog in the house...or in town, (I would hate to have to keep one tied up)...we were working on fixing up the house we live in now, on the farm, and even though we hadn't moved in there yet, I took the poor dog home...after stopping at the vets to get wormed, and rabies shots, the vet said he looked to be about 6-8 months old...then I took him to the farm, and made him a bed of soft hay in the garage, and put food out...of course I had to leave him, because we didn't live there yet...so the next day after work, I came rushing home to make sure he had stuck around....and there he was!!! And so for the next month or so till we moved in, I drove the 7 miles to the farm every day to feed, water and pet him...he stayed! We moved in then, and "Scruffy" has been my baby ever since!!!
I still get comments on what an ugly dog he is....but in my eyes he is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And he has so much love to give!!!