his story:
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 since 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 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 was going to die, I could tell, so I rushed inside and called the nearest vet, who got there within a minute. They took Ugly in and he had countless operations and procedures, but he came through. They had to keep him in the vet for a while as he was badly hurt and scarred but I visited him everyday and he just got more loving everytime I visited him. After about two weeks they let me take him home, having fixed him up as much as they could. I kept him for about three years, but sadly he died of old age in his sleep. But 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. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
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 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 was going to die, I could tell, so I rushed inside and called the nearest vet, who got there within a minute. They took Ugly in and he had countless operations and procedures, but he came through. They had to keep him in the vet for a while as he was badly hurt and scarred but I visited him everyday and he just got more loving everytime I visited him. After about two weeks they let me take him home, having fixed him up as much as they could. I kept him for about three years, but sadly he died of old age in his sleep. But 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. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
me:
I’ve always been a misanthrope. I hate people so much. That’s just who I am and I can’t help it, I try thought. Until now. I’m trying.
Compassion, love, friendship. I’ve never been one to say, “feel”, these things. I’m numb. But as I read on about the heroic story of this tiny cat, I cried. I haven’t cried for years. I can’t even remember the last time I cried, must’ve been when I came out of my mama’s womanly cave lol.
Merciful. The people that know me the best/most wouldn’t dare to say that about me. I admit it, I’ve killed, stolen, hurt things, people, and even puppies. Yes, I do go to a shrink, so there is only a slight chance you will see me on FBI’s ‘Most Wanted’. I’m working on it, I’m helping myself. I’m going to get better, right?
This story. This very story. I’ve read this more than a hundred times (I am not exaggerating!). This story is basically the fuel to my, what I call, my LOVE fire. Even a cat, battered and scorned, needs love. Everyone needs love. Perhaps things? I suppose so. For a flower can not bloom without a gardener’s tender touch.
Ugly, you’ve been so strong. You’ve never met me, but I wish you did. It would have been an honour to meet you. Your story is an inspiration. Ugly, I love you. I love you so much.
Who would’ve thought that a sickly cat didn’t need medicine or the best cat food or the softest fur. Ugly only needed… love. Ugly is my inspiration.
I’m going to help cats, people, dogs, cactuses, and potatoes. I’m going to change. I’m going to love. I’m going to love for Ugly, and it’ll be brilliant. I’ll try, Ugly. I’ll try.
Love,
Ⓜarielle
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