Mary Louise finds a new home

My Aunt Marge has always been an animal lover, with a special affinity for cats. Since she and my uncle never had any children, their pets served as satisfactory substitutes. After my uncle died, Aunt Marge’s Siamese, Streaker, was a wonderful companion for her. Unfortunately, the old cat died just a year after my uncle, so Aunt Marge was in the market for a new friend, and she already had a name in mind—Mary Louise. She went to the local animal shelter in search of a furry pal.

Most folks who visit shelters looking for a pet want an attractive, healthy animal, and there are always plenty of these available. But Aunt Marge surprised the workers by telling them she wanted a cat that no one else would want—one that was surely marked for euthanasia. They led her to a cage in the back.

Mary Louise was a skinny, scruffy-looking half-grown feline. She was cowering in the back of her cage when Aunt Marge met her. It was immediately obvious that she had only three legs—two front and one rear. Even if she had had all four appendages, Mary Louise could never have been described as “pretty,” even by the most compassionate cat fancier. Marge was informed that the animal had been rescued from two dogs who were trying to use her as a chew toy. She hadn’t been seriously injured, but she had been traumatized. They had no idea how she had lost her leg, but it was obvious the appendage had been surgically removed. Since she was deemed unlikely for adoption, when the shelter ran out of space, this kitty would be the first to be euthanized in order to make room for new arrivals.

She was very thin, with a long rat-like tail and huge, lifeless green eyes. Her matted fur was a strange combination of colors—black, brown, gray, and orange—with no discernible pattern. She reminded my aunt of a Jackson Pollack painting, with several different colors and shades splashed randomly over her tiny body. Aunt Marge, however, remained steadfast and asked to hold the unfortunate creature.

The attendant warned my aunt that the cat was not friendly and suggested that perhaps another cat would make a much better pet, but Marge insisted. To everyone’s surprise, the cat allowed Aunt Marge to hold her and stroke her. She seemed to know her savior had arrived to rescue her. As my aunt held Mary Louise, she noticed something surprising: the kitty had six toes on each front paw. Marge, a retired teacher and avid reader, immediately thought of the Hemingway cats in Key West and wondered if this was one of their relatives. Marge adopted Mary Louise and took her home.

The frightened kitten spent the first two weeks cowering under Aunt Marge’s bed. Marge had to place her food and water dishes there, and she spent these days talking to the cat, getting her used to her soothing voice.

Finally, Mary Louise began to greet my aunt when she brought food to the bedroom, and gradually, she allowed Marge to pet her. After a few more days, Mary Louise began to seek affection from Marge and began exploring her new home. She was slowly introduced to new people who were frequent visitors.

Now, a year later, Mary Louise has been amazingly transformed. Her unique coat is lustrous and shiny, her eyes are bright, and she’s fat and happy. Even her rodent-like tail has filled out. She loves everyone and is always ready for a game of “chase the string” or “follow the bouncing ball.” She has surprising agility for a three-legged cat. She also adores curling up in a warm lap for a long nap. She’s a wonderful companion for Aunt Marge.

Mary Louise, like most neglected and abused animals, just needed some TLC in order to “bloom.” Once she was treated with kindness, she was able to achieve her full potential and become a treasured furpal. Aunt Marge saved Mary Louise’s life, and the cat repays her rescuer daily with companionship and undying devotion.