If You Love a Cat
(Playing ~ "Meditation de Thais" by Massenet)

Try to be Ugly

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 gaping hole. 
He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has 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.

His tail has long ago been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk
and twitch.  Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering
his head, neck, even his shoulders, with thick, yellowing scabs.  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 someone threw things at him, 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,
or whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors' huskies.  They did not respond kindly, and Ugly
was badly mauled.  From my apartment I could hear his screams, and 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. 
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape,
a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front.

As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping,
and could feel him struggling.  I 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 battled-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, or even 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.

A Cat's Conscience

A dog will often steal a bone,
But conscience lets him not alone,
And by his tail his guilt is known.

But cats consider theft a game,
And, howsoever you may blame,
Refuse the slightest sign of shame.

When food mysteriously goes,
The chances are that Pussy knows
More than she leads you to suppose,

And hence there is no need for you,
If Puss declines a meal or two,
To feel her pulse and made ado !

~ author unknown

Stray Cats

Oh, what unhappy twist of fate
Has brought you homeless to my gate?
The gate where once another stood
To beg for shelter, warmth, and food
For from that day I ceased to be
The master of my destiny.

While he, with purr and velvet paw
Became within my house the law.
He scratched the furniture and shed
And claimed the middle of my bed.

He ruled in arrogance and pride
And broke my heart the day he died.
So if you really think, oh Cat,
I’d willingly relive all that
Because you come forlorn and thin
Well...don’t just stand there...Come on in!

~ Francis Witham

If It Should Be

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years;
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come, so let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve ~ it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years.
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

~ author unknown

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.
Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them
in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing ~ they each miss someone
very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks
into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly, he begins to run
from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in
joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands
again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together!!

~ author unknown

Epitaph For a Cat

If in some far-off, future day,
A stranger's feet should pass this way,
And if his gaze should seek the ground,
Wondering what lies beneath the mound:
Know that a cat of humble birth
Claims this small portion of the earth.

But I thought not of pedigree,
When, like a child, he came to me, ~~
A lonely waif, whose piteous cries
Were mirrored in his frightened eyes.
And so I beg that you will not
Defame or desecrate this spot
By ruthless act or idle jeer,
Though but a cat lies buried here.

~ Margaret E. Bruner

(I'm sorry I do not know who to credit for this wonderful background.)

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