A MOUSE TALE

Tuesday, February 20

NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY

I admit to being an ailurophile or a cat lover.
I enjoy that cats are independent creatures that don't necessarily believe they need you for any reason. Cats won't need humans if they evolve to use opposable thumbs. The only exception is to work the can opener once and a while.
The coolest thing about cats is when they want you around for something other than food, when they take a moment for a head bump, or curl up in your lap for a quiet nap while you watch television.
MOUSE was recently featured on The Brazil Times Facebook page to showcase our upcoming celebration on Tuesday, February 20 - NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY.

MOUSE'S STORY

It will be three years ago I learned about a precious animal from the Clay County Humane Society. A kitten was brought to the shelter after a notorious heartless person set a tiny grey kitten on fire and then threw him out in a parking lot near I-70. The shelter put the story up online, asking for help to take care of this tiny little being in the pictures. Although it was still in photos, it looked to be shaking and terrified.
I was angered looking at that poor animal that someone could do something like that, but then I fell in love watching that furbaby fight to survive.
After a few weeks, I told my husband I would adopt this beautiful baby; It didn't matter how much it cost. That little kitten needed a family.
My husband agreed, and in the fall of 2020, MOUSE came home
That tiny little kitten was a ball of energy. He loved his new siblings, Sabbath and Emma, who were rescued from the shelter. He especially loved our big home to zoom through.
Fast forward three years, Sabbath has passed away, but a new furbaby is in the house named Atom. MOUSE, a huge loveable cat, is the big brother, and EMMA is the queen of the house, a bit standoffish.
MOUSE has lived a normal life without any side effects. Except for this year, he struggled a bit with his nasal congestion. There are times he coughs, but he plays and fights with Atom. It's a happy clowder.
MOUSE's favorite things are snuggling with blankets, napping with his humans and adopted siblings, and getting beard rubs and headbutts from my husband and brother-in-law.

To the person who terrified MOUSE years ago, you failed. MOUSE is awesome, and I thank the Clay County Humane Society daily for saving MOUSE, who sleeps every night at the foot of my bed.
I hope there are many furbabies - even the ones with scales and feathers - out there living their best lives with their humans.