I'll just leave this here




"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, he only had one eye, where the other should be was just a gaping hole. he also has an ear missing on the same side. and his foot appeared to have been badly broke at one point and healed at an unnatural angle. making him look like he was always turning the corner, his tail has also been long since lost. leaving just a little stump that he'd occasionally twitch and jerk.

Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped type. except for the sores covering his head neck and even shoulders. with thick yellowing scabs... every time someone saw Ugly, the same response "That is one UGLY cat!!"

All the children were warned to leave him alone. the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he entered their homes and even trapped his paws in the door when he wouldn't leave.

Ugly always had the same reacion. if you turned a hose on him he'd stand there getting soaked until you gave in, if you threw things at him he'd wrap is long body around your feet in forgiveness. whenever he spied children he'd come running frantically and meowing like crazy. bumping his head in their hands begging for their love. if you ever picked him up he'd instantly suckle your shirt, earrings or necklace.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbours huskies. They did not respond kindly, From my apartment i could hear ugly's screams and rushed to his aid. when 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 hole in his white strip of fur running 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 knew i was hurting him terribly by moving him.

then i felt a familiar tugging. a sucking... Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying. was trying to suckly 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 distant sound of purring, Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battle 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, or struggle to get out of my hands. 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 for a long time afterwards. thinking about how one scarred deformed little stray had changed my opinions so much on what it meant to have true pureness of spirit. to love so totally and truly... Ugly taught me more about compassion and giving love 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. it was time for me to learn how to love so truly and deeply myself. to give my total to those i care for

Many people want to be richer. more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be 'Ugly'."