This story was shared within the framework of the Fur Fam Storytelling Contest. Submissions have been accepted through December 5. Voting will take place December 6 through December 31. The three grand prize winners will receive a $500 prize, plus a $500 prize pool. $2000 cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. View all stories here!
Friend. I never intended to have more cats. I worry they will outlive me, but what will you do when they find you?
In the summer of 2010, I was walking to my car when I heard a cat meowing on the opposite side of the road. I looked at him and he ran towards me and started wrapping around my ankles, making small squeaks. He must have sensed that I had a soft support for the cat. He was thin and had large nasty sores behind his ears. I knocked on the door of the house where I thought the cat came from and asked the woman at the door, “Is this your cat?” “Oh no,” she replied, “he’s just some old geezer. I threw the food out to him.”
I borrowed a cat cart and the cat was quite happy to ride in it. As I put the carrier in my car, a teenage girl ran up to me and hugged me. “Thank you for helping Buddy,” she said, “I wanted to bring him into our house but my mom said he would move our new furniture.” “Don’t worry, I’ll take him to the vet and find him a good home,” I reassured her.
Once in the car, I called our vet and explained the situation. She said to get him straight, she would match him.
At first Buddy was happy with all his attention to the vet and squealed loudly until she started wiping his ears when the squealing stopped. The vet said: ‘He has a really serious case of ear mites, that’s why he scratches his ears all the time. We decided to leave him overnight so he could get all the treatment he needed.
I went to pick up Buddy the next afternoon. They disabled him and he apparently had to remove most of his decayed back teeth. He had to be treated for worms, fleas and of course ear mites. He has also received all the necessary vaccines. Despite everything, he was still snarling loudly and rubbing his head at everyone. They say he is a real lover. They also gave him a jacket to play with which he took home. To this day, this is his favorite toy. He used to run around with it in his mouth, meowing softly. My husband said you can tell he’s grateful to have a home.
Buddy never wanted to go out again. Once he followed me out into the garden, looked around, horrified, and darted inside.
In the spring of 2011, early in the morning, my neighbor called. “You need to go out and take care of your cat,” he says. Confused, I looked at Buddy waiting for breakfast and headed out the front door.
Outside in my driveway, a small black and white kitten is fighting a Jack Russell terrier. I rushed out, scooped up the kitten and chased the dog away. Buddy immediately adopted the kitten and began bathing it. Fortunately, the kitten is old enough to eat solid food. Our vet said he is healthy and about two months old. We call the kitten ‘Mog’ after the cat story “Mog, the absent-minded cat.” Mog imitates Buddy. He raised a small stuffed rat that he carried in his mouth, making small meows.
Buddy is very protective of Mog. Once I accidentally slipped Mog’s tail. Buddy ran over and glared at me. Both cats try to be very helpful. Buddy especially enjoys helping me make the bed, following me around the bed, snuggling and rubbing his head against me. When I cook fish, Buddy rubs it around my ankles to remind me that fish is good for cats.
Mog is infatuated with water. He showers with my husband every morning and loves to be wrapped in a towel afterwards. He likes to drink from the tap when you clean your teeth. Mog also loves music. When my niece took piano lessons with my husband (her grandfather), she sat on the back bench to listen. Sometimes he ‘sings’ along. Both cats sat at our table at Sunday family dinner. I often enjoy naps with both cats and a good book.
Ten years later, they are still best friends. 13 year old Buddy is very healthy and bouncy like a kitten. 10-year-old Mog has diabetes and needs insulin injections twice a day. He came to find my husband just in time when it was time to shoot.
I’m so glad Buddy and Mog found me because a home isn’t a home without cats!
This story was submitted by Valerie Paterson, with support from the NEA Humane Society. To see other Fur Fam Story Contest entries, click here!
