
Every once in a while you come across something that tears at your heart just a little. Today I came across this story someone wrote about a neighborhood tomcat that they called Ugly. Seeing as I have always had a soft spot for animals it kind of got to me. It reminded me of the ugly tomcat that I used to feed at my old townhouse. Maybe I could have or should have done more. I fed this poor cat that was beat up and abused. Kids picked on him, but despite all that happened to him he only wanted someone affection. Finally after weeks of suffering with an injury that appeared to become infected he just disappeared. I wonder if I had just shown a little more care and concern if maybe he would still be around today showing me some unconditional affection...
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, and shall we say, Love.
The combination of these things combined with a life spend outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was nothing but 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 since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch.
Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, 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 is 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 to 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 curly his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, simply begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, and whatever else he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's huskies. They did not respond so kindly, and Ugly was attacked. From my apartment I could her his screams, and 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 to 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. I 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 great pain, that ugly battle scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps 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, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly dies 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 would. 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 strive to be Ugly.
Here's the original version:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Tarathiel/ugly.jpg