The Tough Life of Morris the Cat

 

Morris the cat, like many cats, had a tough time most of his life. However while many cats become mean and generally unfriendly while in pain, Morris never let all the pain he endured effect his relentless optimism. He remained one of those cats that people come across at times that has an exceptional amount of zeal and love in his heart. His story has served as an inspiration to animal lovers that has them rethinking how they live their own lives.

Morris began life as many cats do--on the streets. He was part of a litter that was born on the streets of Woodstock, Illinois. However, the rescue organization Helping Paws Animal Shelter picked up the litter early. The mother and they many of the young kittens were healthy and adopted from the shelter. However, for Morris, the litter was not rescued early enough. Morris had developed an eye infection as well as an upper respiratory infection, which was off-putting to many would-be adopters.

While Morris remained at Helping Paws, he was treated to more love and affection than he ever would have known on the streets. In fact, the shelter employees became enamored with the kitten. One such volunteer, Tina, had this to say:

“I fell in love with Morris the first time I met him. He loved everyone, both human and feline. In fact, I called him a ‘chick magnet’ because he had his own little group of female admirers at the shelter due to the loving, accepting, positive attitude he displayed every day.”

While this may seem like a happy ending for Morris, at 18 months old, he was diagnosed with a heart condition and megaesophogus, which prevents food and nutrients from entering the stomach. Megaesophogus is incurable and a death sentence for many felines. Helping Paws developed a treatment plan and vowed to make Morris as comfortable as they could.

While all the staff took to Morris, a young man in particular named Mitchell formed a particularly strong bond with the ailing feline. Like Morris, Mitchell also struggled with health problems, but became inspired by the attitude that the cat had amidst all of his health problems. 

Mitchell visited Morris every week and was present when Morris finally passed away in March. Mitchell reflects on Morris with this statement: 

“I was amazed that even with his own health issues; he never seemed to have a bad day. Morris would love on you, purr, and meow the whole time you were with him. I have had my own struggles in life but when I met Morris and saw how loving this little animal was every day, never passing judgment on you and never in an unhappy place; it made me think of how I need to live my own life.”