This week our star is Mawse. As Mawse's person mom says,
"Mawse was adopted from the Humane Society in Billings, Montana. she was literally at
the end of her rope. This was to be her last chance for a home. She held onto me for
dear life. She had just been fixed and was none too lovely to look at....but, I instantly
loved her. In return, many times, Mawsie showed her love for me. This is the story:"
Mawse...my wonderful friend (Copyright 2006, Cherri Petty Shinaberger)
Mawse...whatever would I do without Mawse? No, she's not a real mouse....she's just a
wonderful cat that is sort of homely and suffers from claustrophobia. I got her several
years ago before my Mom died. She was pretty ugly! My Mom said, "I thought we were going
to get a cute kitten!" Cute she wasn't with her naked tummy from just being spayed.
She was skinny and had that lost look of unwanted animals. But, she needed me.
It was her third home and she would lay on my lap and hold on for dear life.
The Humane Society hadn't had much luck placing her and she was on her last....er....lap.
Mine! She was so skittish and could jump a mile at imagined snakes and other terrible
things. She still does that. And as I mentioned, she suffers from claustrophobia.
I found out later that it was a result of one of the homes she had been placed in before.
I made her a beauty of a cat basket...and I had to stuff her in it. She hated it.
No enclosed places for her! We gave it to some other nice cats who loved it....there went
$30.00 in materials! But that's okay.
When my Mom died in February of '99 (we were bestest friends in the world) I didn't have
a husband or anyone special in my life. I hadn't looked...too many Boogey Men out there!
(I married most of them!)
Mawse was my friend and companion. My little buddy was right there when the tears began.
She was always there. I could be in another room and she would sense that I needed her
and there she was! She'd be on my lap giving me her special care..talking to me So
I wouldn't be talking to myself.
Last year, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, Mawse came to the rescue again!
Every time I have my chemo...she is there like glue. The treatments really knock me out
and I usually spend several days in bed. She lies beside me and licks my hand. She only
takes care of her necessary duties and is right back, baby-sitting. When I begin to
comprehend that there is life out there and I can make it out of bed...then Mawse is done
with her duties. My sweet little, not so ugly cat loves me, too. She's a bit of heaven
from the animal shelter.
But, one more thing....Mawse has two people! I got married in July of '99 to a terrific
man. He's the King of my Castle and Mawse is the little Queen...and I love them both to
pieces!
Mawse is now about 8 years old. Quite chubby and she's my girl. She is part Siamese and
travelin' sales cat. She still lives in Montana.
