Morgan the perfect cat, 2012 – 2026, in memoriam

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Morgan was an unplanned addition to our family. I took a towel donation to our local shelter and peeped into the cat room. A tech was cleaning out the cage of what I thought was an old one-eyed cat. This was not a no-kill shelter. My heart went out and I wept all the way home. The next day the beloved husband and I went over to scoop her up. She wasn’t old at all. She was between 9 months and a year. She had just had her eye removed because of a rupture, but she didn’t know she only had one eye. In her entire life, she didn’t know her eyesight was compromised. She was lower on the adoptable list because most people want perfect cats, so she came home with us. To us she was perfect.

She was so small. Mollie was 6 pounds and she was smaller.

She came to a group of three older cats — Jake, a cantankerous elder; Mollie, the gentle alpha; and Hazel, a semi-feral who never did trust humans. She adapted well. She paid homage to Jake and snuggled up to the other two.

My gray bookends — We adopted Gracie because she had one eye too. Gracie on left, Morgan on right. You can see the size difference although they were both adults and close in age. Gracie at 8 lbs and Morgan at 12.

That’s not to say she lost her youth. She broke vases because of her need to sleep on high spots like the fireplace mantel and tops of tall furniture; rearranged centerpieces because there was no centerpiece as wonderful as her; and she was often full of cobwebs from I don’t know where.

Every centerpiece needs a gray cat!

Morgan napping on the fireplace mantel. What could go wrong here?

What made her perfect was that she didn’t scream for food (and ate anything you gave her); didn’t wake us up in the early morning; or eliminate inappropriately. She didn’t fear trips to the vet. She thought of it as an opportunity to charm more people. She was easy.

Morgan: I’m ready! Take me!

Morgan broke her leg in 2021. Here she is with her splint. She had to get it rewrapped every week for eleven weeks. She enjoyed the attention and the vet techs loved her.

She made us smile with her antics and brought youth and energy into the house. She also accepted other cats as they joined us and helped us mourn as pets left. There were many times when I cried into her fur while she purred.

Morgan listening to the beloved husband playing guitar.

There wasn’t a cat bed she didn’t like. We have 87 million all around the house just for her. The other cats use them too, but Morgan was always in one. I don’t ever remember her sleeping under the bed. She accepted smooches on her forehead as a price to pay for a good gig. In fact, she liked them.

I will miss her happy dance at dinnertime; her need to escort me to the bathroom. (I was not to be trusted alone); and her scrunched up nose when she smelled something she didn’t like. She was a happy cat. I couldn’t have asked for more except for a longer life.

Public Service Announcement: She wasn’t adopted because she was young or beautiful (she was both) but because she was considered less adoptable. When you adopt, do not pass by the less than perfect animals or the ones that cower frightened in the corner or the older ones. The shelter is a tough place. They bloom in homes filled with love. Give them a chance.

To capture the essence of Morgan, I’m going to repost some blogs from her early years here over the next few weeks. I laughed when I reread them and hope you will too.

 

27 thoughts on “Morgan the perfect cat, 2012 – 2026, in memoriam”

  2. I am glad you gave her a chance and a fabulous life. Boss Cat apparently hissed at everyone when she was in a cage, which was why it took years for her to be found by people who were willing to drive and visit her in her foster home. But out of the cage? Amazing. No fear. Hides from nothing. Attacks dogs. Steals your food. Tries to escape and beats up coyotes.

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  4. Thank you for taking Morgan in. I do not understand why humans need to have the “perfect” pet when who among us are perfect? She was blessed that you both have big hearts. I know you will miss her, and I feel your pain as I lost my 22 year old Cookie Cat a few months ago. Condolences Cindy Cat

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  12. A perfect remembrance for Morgan the Perfect Cat🩶 Lovely words. I am so happy you went back for her and that she was given a forever home and that she was loved and respected to the very end. Thank you for the photos and thank you for sharing some reposts over the next weeks. Morgan you are missed… you were loved by so many.

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  14. What a sweet life she had and in turn gave to you…..Some things were meant to be. I know she could not have had a happier life that’s for sure. I just love that you saw her at the shelter and KNEW she was your cat and I bet she felt the same that day and waited patiently for you to come back and take her home! She just knew. I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you and all your cats but Morgan had a special spot in my heart too because you made her personality shine – we knew her so very well. I’ll look forward to the old blogs you’re going to share……some moments were MEANT for repeating. Sending you a hug…..or two.

    Love, Pam

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