Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to Cat Moms everywhere! This weekend I’ve had the pleasure of selecting a winning entry from the 200+ entries in The Cat’s Meow’s “Best Cat Mom” Contest. Actually, I don’t know if “pleasure” is the correct descriptor: it was bloody difficult picking a winner because every single one, truly, was a winner.
Some entries were funny, some were heartwrenching, but the common theme was unconditional love between cat and cat lady. I loved them all. My pile of finalists was growing taller and I felt an anxiety attack perched on my shoulder: how to choose?
When suddenly, among the last of the entries was one that sweetly and succinctly defined the essence of Cat Momhood:
When I first saw this contest, I wanted to nominate my Momma for all the love and care she gave me over the years, especially after I was diagnosed with cancer. I knew our entry would definitely have pathos
if I recounted all the sacrifices Momma made for me whether it was living off of cereal, pasta, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches at times so she could pay for my vet bills, or driving home on her lunch hour everyday, 20 minutes each way, just to give me my medicine. She made the biggest sacrifice of all when I got too sick to fight any longer – she told me how much I was loved and held me close to her heart while the vet gave me a peaceful crossing.
I could also add something original to my entry by describing how Momma came to rescue Jack from a shelter (either a series of coincidences or the work of angels – you can read Jack’s early diary entries and decide for yourself). As for humor, well, Jack’s very first night home he piddled smack dab in the middle of Momma’s bed – while Momma was sleeping in it! *giggles* He was such a little terror those first few weeks, and some humans might have sent him right back to the shelter, but Momma would never do that to one of her furkids. Momma loves us all and accepts us for who we are — a mother’s love is unconditional.
That got me to thinking about what makes a great Cat Mom. Morgan the Pirate Gato has a great Cat Mom. She helps rescue both cats and dogs and she makes and sells pawsome beds to help pay for Morgan’s medical expenses. Christopher has a great Cat Mom who took him in even though he is blind. She also takes in older cats or cats who have terminal illness. She makes sure their last days are spent knowing what it is to be loved.
Aldo & Tess and their doggie sister Noelle were loved by their mother Laurel until the day she died – almost one year ago now. When these three were orphaned, wonderful Cat Moms and Dog Moms (and probably a few Dads) from around the world came to their rescue. Some Cat Moms donated money, some gave their time to help in the search and rescue, some were foster Moms, and so many more prayed for Laurel’s family. Noelle was adopted by Simon’s Meowmy and Aldo was adopted by O’Malley’s Meowmy. Tess’ fate is still uncertain, but we hope that wherever she is, she is safe and loved.
Of course, the rescue of Aldo and Noelle was coordinated by the beautiful Hazel Lucy and her Mom. Their caring is endless. They would give the shirt off their back – or the hat off their head – to help someone in need. They maintain The Get Well Purr List and make trankie blankies to donate to shelter kitties. With their kind and generous spirits, Hazel Lucy and her Mom remind us that “mother” isn’t just a noun; it’s also a verb.
So who is the Best Cat Mom? My Momma, and your Meowmy, and her Mom, and his Mummy, and all of the Cat Moms out there giving their furkids unconditional love. Happy Mother’s Day.
Written by Rufus, it is the winner of The Cat’s Meow’s first annual Best Cat Mom contest. But as Rufus says, you’re all Best Cat Moms … and here’s a badge that every entrant can post on your blog or Catster profile to let the world know that your mom is the best!
Rufus wins 50 zealies, a pink Skeezix cap and a Catster t-shirt. The rest of you will have to settle for your mom’s unconditional love and the badge.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to submit an entry. You should really set some time aside to read them all — with your favorite feline in your lap.
[PHOTO CREDITS: Jillian Grace & Jasper]
Hurray for Rufus! I love you, bud!
Congratulations Rufus. What a wonderful entry you wrote for your mom and all the other cat moms.
We hope all our mom friends have a wonderful day with their babies today.
Congratulations, Rufus! We loved your entry. Happy Mother’s Day to your mom!
ConCATulations Rufus! Happy Mommy’s Day to your Mommy!
Concats! A worthy Mom, indeed.
Congratulations Rufus! What beautiful comments you had to say about your mom and other Catster mom’s. Happy Mother’s Day to all of Catsterland!
enjoyed the mother’s day stories…thank you for sharing! congrats to the winner too!
wow … wutta grate entree … anna purfect winner fer dis mudder’z day contest! congratyoolashunz to rufus an hiz mom.
thank u karen nicholz fer a fabyoolus contest … u ar a fantastic mom an i hope yer havin da best mudderz day today.
luv to u an all da cat mudderz on da catster!
jeter harris
Couldn’t be a better choice!! We were so touched by Rufus’ life and his meowmy’s dedication to him. Now she gracefully acknowledges others. Liz, you are the BEST Catster meowmy!! Concatulations and lots of angel love your way!!
Rufus is da bomb! Congratulations and Happy Mom’s Day to all the Catster Mommies. I cracked up laughin’ at those two golden oldie pictures!
Yurza stories were meowvalously marvelous – and weeza thanksa youza soza much Rufus for sharing da speshule times of you and great Catsters. Congratucatulashuns pal! Weeza crackin’ open da Dom Purrignon in yurza honor!
Congrats Rufus! Congrats Mom!
We are soo happy fur you!
Morgan does a 21 Gun Pirate Salute in Rufus’ Honor
Captain Morgan’s for Everyone!
Thank mew for mentioning all the pawsome Moms! We are all furry lucky to have them!
Gives him Mom a Whisker Kiss.
Happy Mothers Day to All the Amazing Catster Moms!
We absolutely loved your heartwarming story and sincerely agree with Skeezix’s Food Lady that Rufus’ mom is the #1 Best Catster Mom! When cat mothers everywhere place their own needs below that of their children, that I think is the highest form of love. Congratulations, and happy mother’s day to all the wonderful Catster mommies out there. ^..^
Congrats Rufus!!! Yayaya for your Mom!!!
Love
Ashlye
What a great entry! Concats, Rufus and Rufus’s mom for winning!
Way to go Rufus! Way to write. Also, thanks for mentioning Laurel, that was so sweet, and to mention all kitty moms that do so much like Morgan’s and Hazel Lucy’s.
*everyone claps as loud as they can*
Congradulations to Rufus and Rufus’s Mom!!!
**wild applause** We love this entry! Concats!!!!!
Congrats, Rufus! I agree that was a pawsome entry, and deserves to win!!
All Catster moms are the greatest!!
Rufus…and Rufus’s momma…Congratulations and thank you for that touching entry, which really is the truest spirit of Catster, and of the love our mom’s give us. Cheers to all the Catster moms and dads!
There were so many fine entries, but we can see why this one was the winner…Not only is Rufus’ mom such a pawesome mommy, but Rufus gave recognition to so many other catmoms. This was very, very touching. Good call, Skeezix!!
Concats Rufus & Rufus’ meowmy! Pawsome job!!
Rufus, you made the ol man proud!
I am so honored to be your Guardian Angelfriend and thank you for mentioning my mom and Christopher…and most of all, thank you for bringing your wonderful mommy and family together with my mommy and family.
We are so very happy to be your friends and your mommy deserves every bit of lovins and congrats she gets!!!
YAY RUFUS! You won momma the prize. But you didn’t say enough about Hamlet.
Love, Isis
Awww Foo! I couldn’t be happier that your Mom won this contest. You are the coolest cat around, and your Mom deserves this so very much! We love you Buddy, and we love your Mom too!
ConCATualtions Rufus. Woo hoo, way to go. Your mum is pawsome. Does she want to adopt me? You don’t mind another fur around your home, do you? It was really nice of you to mention the other pawsome meowmy’s too. I hope she had a great mothers day, purrs Raza, Sam, Mr D and Balty
Rufus -
What a pawsitively delightful surprise to see you honoring your mom and all the wonderfur catster moms… AliMom may have taken me in, but as you noted, so many made it pawsible fur me to be here. Without them, I would’ve been lost. And with everything that AliMom went through with my dear angel brofur Simon, you brought a happy tear to her eye just mentioning his name, so thank you fur warming her heart. Bless you, Rufus, and your magnifurcent mom and all the catster moms that love us so…
Love,
Noelle, honorary cat (hee-hee-woof!)
Congratulations Rufus, what a beautiful tribute to your mom.