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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=015503409-04022009>OK Folks,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=015503409-04022009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=015503409-04022009> Every year around this time, I
send out this story. This story is especially touching this year, as the economy
is so bad and many people are dumping their animals. With so many fur babies
without love in the world, it would be a great gift if you all could open your
doors to help just one more. Even if for only a little while until a forever
home can be found.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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class=015503409-04022009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=015503409-04022009>p.s. If you cry easliy, don't red this story. Sara,
this is for you.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></SPAN></STRONG>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Verdana>Everyone in the apartment complex that I lived
in knew who Ugly was.<BR><BR>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
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
ago been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk
and twitch.<BR><BR>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!"<BR><BR>All of 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 his 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.<BR><BR>One day Ugly shared his
love with the neighbor's huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was
badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tired to rush to
his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent that Ugly's
sad life was almost at an end. Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back 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. It 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.<BR><BR>I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with
his head, then 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.<BR><BR>Ugly died in my arms
before I could get inside, but I sat there 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.<BR><BR>Many people want to be richer, more
successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be
Ugly.<BR><BR>Author Unknown</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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