Conference misery::feline_v1

4854.0. ""BIG MO, A SURVIVOR"" by COASTL::NDC (Putiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313) Wed Aug 14 1991 08:59

    The following is reprinted without permission from the Just Cats Inc
    newsletter for July/August 1991.
    
    
    "His handsome face adorns our coffee mugs, and shirts and the
    upper left corner of this page.  Our mascot 'Big MO', Feline 
    Ambassador of Goodwill.
    
    I discovered him on spring afternoon 5 years ago lying under a shrub,
    shot 3 times with a .22 caliber rifle.  the vet said he was old and
    the bullets could not be safely removed.  So we prayed for him, gave
    him shelter and T.L.C. and he thrived.  his personality could not be
    matched, he was the perfect 'People cat'.  Orphaned kittens sought him
    out for gentle groomings, fearful feral resucue cats could be found
    snuggled safe beside him in his bed.
    
    He was a big tomcat in his prime, but a more gentle soul you could
    never find.  Big MO lived for chow time, he really loved to eat and
    along with having his head scratched, sunning himself was his joy.
    
    MO was always badly crippled - he had arthritis of the spine, but in
    spite of this he made his way with feline dignity and grace, and
    despite his many handicaps, he was an independent old gent - stubborn
    and strong willed.  He was our Mascot - our symbol of Feline Fortitude.
    A true survivor of the streets.
    
    It is very hard to tell you about our feelings for the big boy.  Our
    memories are vivid, but my words don't do him justice - he loved
    everyone.
    
    This past May MO was overcome by the health problems he had endured for
    so long and we had to lay the survivor to rest.  He left us for a much
    more peaceful place one quiet afternoon...  Judy and I stayed with him
    to the last and told him how much he meant to us all.  While we cried
    and the big boy purred, our shelter vet sent him gently on his way.  We
    bid farewell to him in his favorite bed with no discomfort and no pain.
    A fitting last moment for the sweetest of cats.
    
    We love and miss you Big MO, but your spirit lives on in our work each
    day.  You are still our inspiration and a bit of you will *always*
    survive in every cat we save.
    
       We'll see you again someday....."
      
                        Val B.

    sniff.  He sounds just like my Sweetie.
    

    
           What a cat!!
    

    Of course!  :-)  A story to make me cry at the terminal....thank GOD no
    one was here this a.m. to see me!  
    
    I did the same thing when I read some old notes....like the poor cats
    outside Burger King a year or so ago....  
    
    I'm a sucker for a touching tale....
    
    Nan

    RE. 3, I'm sitting here crying too.  I'm also a sucker for a touching
    tale. 
    
    What a special cat.
    
    Steffi
    

    He was loved by some very special people - I'm crying too.  RIP MO.
    
    Giudi (sniff)