Stray Cat

**lizbud** · 04-01-2002, 08:00 PM

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.
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've come, forlorn and thin,
Well....don't just stand there...come on in !

Author Unknown

**AmberLee** · 04-01-2002, 08:02 PM

Love it, Liz! Thank you for posting this. **sniffle**

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 04-01-2002, 09:28 PM

That's a beautiful poem. Thanks for posting it Amberlee.

**LoudLou** · 04-01-2002, 09:51 PM

Such a great poem!!! *snif,sniff *

**lizbud** · 04-02-2002, 07:31 PM

I really liked this poem, a little bittersweet perhaps,
but it's really not a sad poem. It reminds me that there
are many good hearted people in this world. Maybe we
don't hear their stories, but I believe they exist...

**AvaJoy** · 04-05-2002, 10:29 PM

What a touching poem . . . all of us cat lovers can relate . . . thanks for sharing it!

04-06-2002, 10:03 AM

what a great poem .... thanks for sharing !!!!

**Nomilynn** · 04-21-2002, 07:28 PM

Have any of you read the story about a stray cat named Ugly? I will post it, but I'm warning you that although it's very inspirational, it's sad. I cry every time I read it, but it still makes my heart feel good.

Author Unknown - if anyone knows who wrote it, let me know so I can credit him/her.

~ The Integrity of "Ugly" ~

Everyone in the apartment complex 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 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 had 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 you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around 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 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. 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 battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment I thought Ugly wasthe 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.

**StefMcD** · 05-07-2002, 04:26 PM

I have a kitten named Eve she was rescuded by my mom from the eve of a house. Hence the name " Eve "

**rg_girlca** · 05-07-2002, 08:53 PM

Nomilynn, that has got to be the saddest story i have ever read.

Excuse me while i go and get another box of kleenex.

**StefMcD** · 05-08-2002, 03:43 PM

I have a kitten named Eve she was rescuded by my mom from the eve of a house. Hence the name " Eve "

**AmberLee** · 05-08-2002, 07:35 PM

Welcome to Pet Talk, Stef. Tell us more about Eve. How old is she? What color is she? Does she have a favorite person, and is it you?

I hope you like it here. I think it's a great place to talk about cats and other pets!