Thursday, November 22, 2012

Ugly - and compassion. . .

I came across a link to this Blog today and, having read this entry, sat there crying like a baby for a while. 

I'm not ashamed of my tears, as I know that it never hurts to be able to feel compassion for any of God's creatures. 

Unfortunately, the kind of treatment this poor cat had suffered from the people around it, both of injury, neglect, and disinterest is, sadly, more the norm than an exception in the world we live in today, so it was nice to read that somebody had given this poor creature a few minutes of compassion before he died.



http://jotter-journal.tumblr.com/post/19738385573/ugly-everyone-in-the-apartment-complex-i-lived


Ugly.


Ugly.


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 died 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 could, and 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 try to be Ugly.
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 died 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 could, and 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 try to be Ugly.

And the crocheting goes on . . .

I don't know why, but I've become almost addicted to crocheting. 

It's got to the point where I don't even read for pleasure any more, as I'm just itching to get back to whatever project I'm doing :)

I have to admit, I've been a real little busy-bee since I last posted - mainly with crocheting stuff for my daughter, so she's got plenty of warm woollen stuff to wear, as Bristol, where she lives, is getting very much colder as the winter deepens:)

So far, apart from the ear-warmer/headbands I'd already done, I've crocheted her a Slouchy Mesh Tam O'Shanter (the instructions posted by simplycrochet2021, at the following: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiZ2PPZ25eQ).

I've also done an extra slouchy Beanie, also posted by simplycrochet2021, and I needed the extra room, so that my daughter can fit all her dreads in it, while staying snug and warm.

I've also made a chain scarf, and I got the pattern from YouTube, from my absolute favourite crochet instructor, Claire, who goes under the name of BobWilson123 - to be found at:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APDUf2bpQQQ

I've also crocheted a Scoodie for her - a mix between a scarf and hood - and I've also completed one pair of leg warmers for her, with another half finished, and a third pair planned for after that :)

Then I'm going to be making a pair of fingerless mittens to go with each of the leg-warmers, so she's colour coordinated {grin}

I've just this minute finished making two 3-strand headbands (the pattern for these is at BobWilson123 once more) - one of these for my daughter, and the other for her good friend Shosh, known as the Flower Fairy. 

I'm particularly happy with these, as it allowed me to let my creative streak run wild {grin}






I'm still really busy with all the different things I need to complete - and I've also got to finish off the blanket I've been crocheting for myself, in a gorgeous Wavy Shell pattern, which I'm hoping to finish fairly soon - well, at least before the cold weather really strikes, anyway :)

I do tend to have 2 or 3 projects on the go at once, as I've found it stops me getting bored, especially when I'm having to do a repetitious pattern :)

I've got so very many projects I want to do, which means I'll probably be busy with things for the next 5 years!

A very nice way to pass the time, though, don't you think? :)