I read this, and was hit at the end...I really want to see life as my cat did!  She died of kidney failure (so I was reminded of her with the ending) and I cried so hard...but she was never uncomfortable with her life, she fought her obstacles and loved getting up so much...I wanna be like that too.  Animals are so inspiring...

Love what I have read so far. I particularly like the way the story is told through the cats eyes yet cleverly imparts imortant tips for any dog or cat owner. My Labrador, Ben, leads a very different life to Mink yet I can see that he also enjoyed every minute with you (and Fluffy). Well done

I can't wait to get started on reading this!

Hazel x

Thi slooks good. Thanks for the invite :)

Thanks breeisbatty. Well, you can pet Yoda her 3rd companion, if you come to Singapore.

i laughed i cried...you have an amazing book and had an amazing cat....i wish i could have petted her....and her three companions....

Amazing write! You requested me to read ssome of your work, but I think I'll do something better than that. You will recieve a message from me soon, explaining what I have done - its a standard letter. Thanks again.

My Dear Friend Rita,
Big Daddy's story about Ugly left me in tears for the second time today. I read his Thought Boxes about Jimmy too. I will begin reading you book tonight If I can sit at the computer and this bright monitor. Hopefully my migrain won't come back this evening. I'm so glad BDC is helping you. I told you he would love to help and he would be a very good friend. ESP I guess.
                               Always,
                                     ~ Ivy ~

Rita, you were lucky you had Fluffy to love and cherish. I’m going to tell you a story of another kind about a cat named 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 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 had 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 cat,
except for the sores covering his head, neck and
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 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 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

really enjoying.
I have 2 dogs and 2 cats and the relationships they have are amazing.
Cats now on second generation of woofers ... and still going strong.
Will finish reading and comment soon!

I deeply enjoyed reading this book and found it quite useful for information on the many different animals. This cat sure was amazing and to live for so long. What a beautiful read and I would recommend to anyone!
Lisa

Dear Tan Rita, I love good animal stories and your cover excites me. Let's get your story started, I'll show you how to post pictures. First we have to start a picture album for you in photobucket from there the rest is easy. I'm sorry I'm two days late with this reply but better late than never. Message me and tell me what you need to know and I'll walk you through it. Regards, Big Daddy Cash

Thanks LondisCarpenter,  my completed   book is to be posted a week later; waiting from the computer adviser to help me.

This book is on my must read list.  I will start the first chapter tomight.

Ivy,  Thanks.  How lovely. We share the same sentiment.

As I scanned through your chapter list I saw you only had the titles. I was excited to begin reading your wonderful book. I read the introduction with thoughts of my own Fluffy a Persian/Alley Cat mix. My Fluffy lived to be 18 years old and much like your Fluffy saw many cats and dogs come and go. yet in her own time she won the hearts of all who she came in contact with, She was a gentle soul and I miss her still and sometimes still feel her presence. Fluffy had a stroke and passed on. I hope you soon get your story started. I look forward to reading it. Good Luck and Many Blessing To You.
                     "  Peace, Love & Light "
                                     ~ Ivy ~