Callie Cat, the Perfect Pet

One day my daughter brought home a scraggly looking young cat who had always 
lived outside. In her first year, we learned she had given birth to two litters of kittens, most of which died. She’d always had to scrounge for food and had even escaped from the pound, only to find her way back to that place where she’d not been well-treated! When my daughter saw her, it was her kittens that were being given away. But my daughter saw a gentle quality in this mother cat that surpassed the sweetness of the kittens and asked to take the mother, who became known to our family as Callie (for Calico). 

   Callie grew plump and flourished in our home. She was no nuisance to anybody or anything. She became so pampered that she hated the outdoors and if a door were opened, she would approach the “outside” cautiously, only to come racing back inside the minute we returned from our porch. Callie loved to sit on laps and be petted. The older she got, the louder she even purred. If a visitor came to the house, she would climb to their laps. She was small and so likable that nobody wanted to shoo her away.

   When our children left home, she became my one and only baby, curled up by my pillow each night and awakening me with a little pat to my face every morning for her breakfast.  Callie lived a long life, nearly 18 years, but has since passed on. Dying of cancer, she clung to life until we saw fit to have her put to sleep. I have since adopted other cats, and my current cat is indeed charming, but I still believe there is not another cat in the world that can compare to our one and only Callie Cat!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

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Cavanaugh Avatar
October 26, 2013 at 10:39 PM
I love this story. What a wonderful story. It reminds me of my Herbie cat (short for herbivore) as a kitten he would try to eat my house plants. Herbie also died of cancer. You had many wonderful years with Callie. What wonderful memories you must have as I do. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful story.
Esquire Avatar
March 14, 2013 at 8:35 PM
Dear Andrea, Hope this finds YOU and YOURS Healthy and High in the Spirit. I have always heard YOU can pick YOUR pet dog, but a cat picks YOU. I know YOU said YOUR daughter picked her,but Callie picked YOUR Family as evident how quick she became an indoor cat and jumped into YOUR laps to be petted I think this is a Superb POST. I LOVE YOU ALWAYS and FOREVER YOUR Eternal Liege...HG - Soup Mail Call
Breidenthal Avatar
February 7, 2013 at 7:01 PM
Callie seems like a perfect pet indeed. I love cats and other animals. This was a very heartwarming story. ^-^ Always, Laura
Adeite Avatar
February 10, 2011 at 9:13 AM
Big congrats to you dear mom on your wonderful piece being featured this week. Please keep carving creative castles with your passionate pen! Wishing you many more features & all the best with your writing endeavour. Love always, Adeleke
Brown Avatar
February 9, 2011 at 9:43 AM
Congrats on your feature this week Andrea. Love, Carol
Austin Avatar
February 8, 2011 at 1:26 PM
Yes! Mother cats are special. (those that have given birth) During our married life we have had, probably, over forty cats. I can recall just one or two being special. For sure - regardless of looks - they are all different. Actually,as a cat lover, I thought they were all kind of special. Congrats on the selection. Love, Dave
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
February 7, 2011 at 4:12 PM
Congrats on "The Perfect Pet" being featured. My daughter has James who is mothered to death by her and her twin brother has Gonzo who is devious, Steph has Toby, so we have 3 in the family. God Bless. Vince
Aul Avatar
February 7, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Congrats on having your poem featured for this week.......George
Richards Avatar
February 7, 2011 at 7:51 AM
Such a sweet story....this could be a feature in a magazine or publication. Nicely done, Andrea!
Sweetheart Avatar
February 6, 2011 at 6:09 PM
And yes.. am enjoying the Super Bowl with my wonderful family and friends... and we are all decked out in our black and gold now.. the poem u asked the questions on is not for any contest luv..
Sweetheart Avatar
February 6, 2011 at 6:08 PM
Congrats Andrea on your featured poem this week on the Soup.. a really great one to share with us all with luv my friend...
Babcock Avatar
January 14, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Yes finding a pet is very hard but when you do they become like your children. I hear you on this one. I love animals to but we agreed that we would not get one because we can now travel but we never seem to travel. Now we have fish which is not the same. PHYL
Poet Avatar
January 9, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Wonderful!My maa(mother) also loves cats !
Austin Avatar
May 9, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Beautiful. Some say a cat chooses you, and not the other way around. Momma cats are unusual. Our momma cat gave birth to four, three tiger tabbies and one black beauty. She was completely unselfish, always let her children eat first. she's gone long ago we;ve had so many in our married life - probably 30 different kitties plus the strays on the front porch. LOve, Dave
A   Avatar
April 30, 2010 at 11:45 AM
sad one Andrea, just reading and answering some comments ... back wow i am barely learning how to go to other pages in here. you have alot of poetry, how cool is that..enjoyed this read, also i wanted to Thank you for the comment. I appreciate your kind words. It means a lot to me.,,you are so kind. did i say wow you have alot of poems,..p.d
A  Avatar
March 19, 2010 at 4:59 PM
2nd comment . I know exactly how u feel .I had a Callie 2. SHE was a calico. She sadly got hurt and died .I felt real sorry 4 u at the end of your poem..When my cat Sassie died .I swore 2 never get close 2 a cat again.. I have not . I also have a dog name PAIN. He is my kid that lives outside .I can say I hate 2 think of when he has 2 go..when my cat passed away. open this new things ..Well it is kinda funny.. I think I am allergic 2 cats now...CRAZY....I am so touched by your story Andrea.....
A  Avatar
March 19, 2010 at 4:44 PM
awe... i love cat's... i have too many of them... she won't stop having kittens... it's cute... injoyed your write agian
Guzzi Avatar
February 26, 2010 at 5:23 PM
I have my cat Rockie his 19 and all skin and bones but he loves me & I him! Light & Love
Dufresne Avatar
January 8, 2010 at 7:16 PM
Cool pet and I understand..really. Every time we lose one, eventually the Lord sends another with qualities that remind us of the one we lost. We love them all but some more special than others. We have ten of those loving little shysters. people keep dropping them off and they turn up on our door step hungry . The pounds are full so we get em!-enjoyed your story.-Robert
Mccue Avatar
January 2, 2010 at 4:57 PM
No.. I have been thinking of my cat poem, and there is so much about that cat I have to sort it all out. in my head.. It will take awhile., Keep on wriiting.
K. Avatar
January 2, 2010 at 7:37 AM
We too had a time when we had a lot of cats and they sure have a way of purring straight to your heart ;)--hoping with you that you find a perfect cat, Callie sure seems like one tough cat to follow ;) Just saw a couple of typos--one in your title for the word "Perfect" missing an "r"--then click on ctrl F to look for the 2nd "know" in your flash--I think it should be "known"--hope this helps--enjoyed your story about Callie :) thanks for sharing :)
Fraser Avatar
December 31, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Golly Andrea, you sure like your cats, kool > they are lovely creatures >> James
Mccue Avatar
December 30, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I love cats. YOUR WORK inspired me to write about Brigette cat who lived 20 or 22 yrs and died of old age,
Johnson Avatar
December 30, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Hi Andrea. Me again. I don't know of any rule against a story but I think Callie deserves a nicley rhymed poem and I know you can do that for her. Love, Joyce
Rudd Avatar
December 29, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Dear Andrea, Callie would be very pleased. Four years ago I was taking care of five cats, three dogs, and one precious Mom. This year closes with one small dog who now takes care of me. Jessie is her name, after my Mom. The perfect pet is the one who crosses your path in need of love. You will know it when you see it, just as you did with Callie. God Bless. Jim Rudd
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