|
 |
 |
| Name: |
Morrie
|
Age: |
One year old
|
| Gender: |
Male
|
Kind: |
Shorthair Tabby, Siamese Mix
|
| Home: |
Toledo, Ohio, USA
|
Many
things makes Morrie special, but most of all, it's his diverse
and unique personality. Now I know that it is a forgone conclusion
that all cats exhibit different personalities, but Morrie stood out
the moment he arrived into our home. We have two other cats. One is a
big black Main Coon named Ditto, the other is a small stray
tuxedo-coated cat called Doodle. Doodle was found on the grounds of
the local Air Force National Guard base by my aunt, who is a Chief
Master Sergeant there. She was able to rescue most of the kittens and
the mother, and we chose the smallest one of the litter and named her
Doodle. Due to growing up around such loud planes and vehicles, she
is naturally afraid of most noises and people. We could never find a
way to bring her out of her intense fear. She ate, slept, and did her
usual cat activities under the cover of darkness or in the basement.
A few months later, Morrie arrived. He was the product of a relatively
large litter that found its way into the heart of my father's best
friend. The man has a heart of gold, and he let the litter into his
porch of his house. It turns out, much to his joy/regret, that the
mother was already pregnant with another litter on the way. Knowing
that he couldn't keep them all, he tearfully gave Morrie to us. Morrie
was coddled like a baby since the day he was born. My father's friend
held each kitten like a baby, and treated them as such. Even to this
day Morrie loves to be simply held and talked to like an infant or
normally like a child. He purrs constantly, even if you glance at him
and say hello. His personality is so warm and open that it rubs off on
even us, and the other cats.
One day we heard some noise downstairs. We went down to investigate.
Morrie was playing ball with Doodle. Somehow, some way, Morrie coaxed
Doodle out of her hiding spaces in the basement and into the main
floor of our house. He hit a small toy ball to her, and she hit it
back shyly and quietly. Soon, she had the courage to come up and eat,
and have my mother scratch her when the family is off to work or
school. We credit Morrie's positive personality and perseverance for
helping Doodle at least somewhat come to grips with her insecurity and
fear.
My mother tutors children with learning disabilities. Normally, Morrie
is often an active cat and talks to everyone and the everything. But
when a child arrives, he quiets down and sits near the pupil, offering
to be scratched or held. Often this relaxes children with add, or
helps those who lose faith to gain confidence and concentration. His
reaffirming purr a constant reminder that success is only what you
make of it, and trying your best is all one can ask. The children love
him, and one child in particular greets Morrie each day before
starting his lessons. His teacher considers him stupid for failing to
contribute in class, which in reality is simple shyness at his
slightly slower ability to comprehend certain topics. With Morrie in
his arms, his voice comes alive, and he learns with vigor unparalleled
to anything achieved in his classroom. My mother credits Morrie as one
reason behind the child's increasing grades beyond her own influence
as a tutor.
Morrie is a unique cat. He comes up to you and expects only love, as
that is all that he has ever been exposed to, and he gives it back
tenfold. His fearless and caring feelings are an inspiration to even
us humans, who sometimes lack the inclination or the inspiration to
initiate contact with others. Morrie has brought my family closer
together, and we are better for it. Each time I run my hands over
that gold fur in the sunshine as he rests in the window, I am grateful
for his company, and thankful that we have been blessed with such a
fine pet. He transcends any of our expectations of what a cat can be,
and what a cat can become.
|
Find out how your pet
could be Cat of the Day.
|
|
|
|
