Why the Tabby Cat Has an "M"

We took our pets to the vet. Both tabby cats (two were due) were in for exams and shots.

I have a faith story for you about cats.

I learned this from my Lutheran vet.

The day that Jesus was born in the manger, as Mary tended Jesus, there was a tabby cat in the shelter. Mary called upon the tabby cat to come and tend to Jesus, to keep small rodents and flies away from him, and to protect him from little critters. The tabby cat was very happy to have this little job to help tend to the baby Jesus. The tabby cat jumped and killed every bug which would come near to pester the little baby Jesus while he slept. He licked the little Jesus' arms and his forehead, letting him know he was favored by tabby cats. He nose touched his little cheek.

The baby Jesus slept soundly in the tabby cat's care. As days went on, Mary was very appreciative of the cat who showed favor to the baby Jesus. The cat showed profound care. Mary turned and blessed the cat. "I love you and wish I could give you just a little piece of myself." You have helped me so much to mother the arrival of my child. You have kept all the disease at bay by placing a hedge of protection around this cradle. She placed her hand on the cat's forehead. "I bless you in the name of my infant, Jesus."

The cat purred. When Mary lifted her hand from the cat's little forehead, and as he looked with wide eyes upon her and her baby, an M was left above his eyes. That M was a little bit of Mary left as a permanent mark on the tabby cat's forehead. This was her blessing upon the cat. The cat had a little bit of the motherly blessing to mark the cat's strong assistance to Mary to protect the Christ child.

The nice strong lines of an "M" on the Tabby should remind all of the motherly love and protection that cats have for the young, and in particular, of their contribution to the nativity story, and how one of them blessed the Christ child, and how when we act judiciously in our faith, how God blesses our genetic family line all the way down the descendancy. That is why our little Martius still, even all these years later, he still has an "M" on his forehead. That "M" stands for Mary's name, as it was she who solicited his help. Her thank you stands.

It pays to do kind things for the Christ child. We get a mark that is a sign of favor from our deed which endures forever. This story tells us why the Tabby cat has an "M" on their forehead. Yes, the vet told us this little story while he investigated Martius's teeth, and he pet his little forehead "M" in comfort as he opened his mouth from time to time. Martius has healthy teeth so far.

I have permission to tell his story. I told him I would give him credit, but he said, "No, that's okay." He said this is a fairly well known legend. I did not know it. Did you?

Update: I have been the storyteller here, for the story as it was told to me was a couple lines long. However, I loved the detail, and I decided to write this story. I will be putting this story out as a book soon.

Lucius and the Pointsetta Plant

Superstore bought CatMom a Christmas present this year! Yes. CatMom would never have bought a pointsetta plant for herself, but Superstore deemed her a suitable candidate to receive a free and absolutely gorgeous Christmas red pointsetta plant. The flower was half as tall as CatMom, and a full as a person. When CatMom brought the plant home, she initially put it in a closed off room. Lucius's petparents don't buy plants which could be dangerous for their cats.

When this pointsetta plant came in the home, CatDad exclaimed, "CatMom, that pointsetta plant has to go if your kitten gets into it."

CatMom's Lulu has certain behaviours he does just to get his petparent's attention. Knawing at a pointsetta plant would fit into his behavioral regime.

CatDad did research. If Lulu ate some pointsetta plant, he could vomit. Okay. It was decided if CatMom watched the pointsetta plant, and put it to bed each night, so that Lulu could not eat it in her absence sleeping, then the pointsetta plant could stay.

The next day, CatDad talked to his co-workers. They confirmed, the past combined experiences of people there, well, cats got sick from, but did not die from pointsetta plant exposure.

Okay. That was dinner conversation that night. CatMom was caring for her new plant.

CatMom came up with a bright idea. She moved her Madagascar Jasmine right direct in front of the window, and this meant putting it on the counter, to maximize the sun upon her leaves. CatMom washes her leaves down, to permit better sun penetration. She was concerned as a couple leaves fell, and CatMom felt she was not getting enough sun exposure.

Then, she placed her plant stand under the Pointsetta plant. From now on, we will maintain the capitals. CatMom was building her connection to this new plant. The plant stand now held the Pointsetta plant up away from the cats. Next, CatMom placed the plant near to the window, concerned about winter sunlight, and 8 inches away from any near cat perches. After an incidence of cat interest, CatMom moved the plant stand 1 foot out from all nearby objects.

Lulu tested. He does these things in the direct line of sight of his petparents, as the whole point is to get their attention. Lulu stood on the intermediate point of two chair backs. He climbed there first, as is his parkur personality. He tippytoed and balanced on the two chair back perch and he reached out the best he could to get to the plant. He had already had his time of rubbing his face on the leaves when the plant was less adequately secured. He reached out as far as he could to get into the plant. From his perch, Lucius took a nice large 5 clawed swipe and he pulled a couple inch piece of bright red leaf matter on his claw as it passed through the full body of the pointsetta plant. His fishing was rewarded. Then, just as quickly, Lucius flicked his paw, and the leaf matter disappeared. The petparents looked all around. They think he put it back into the plant.

CatMom checked where the leave had been cut. There was white juice balling up on the leaf.

Lulu did not get sick. However, his interest had been satisfied. He has succeeded in getting the plant.

CatMom and CatDad both told him, "That was an impressive swipe, Lulu."

Lulu's interest in the Pointsetta plant has waned. This is good, as CatMom has now two plants to care for. The plant remains out and up and inconveniently located from cat interest.

The likelihood is that CatMom has a permanent plant now added to the household dynamic. That's good, as fresh oxygen is a nice thing to have.

Besides cats rubbing on the leaves, all cats are not encouraged to bite the leaves as part of their exploration of the plant. They know the difference. When they are chided, they know what CatMom is insisting. They are not to eat the leaves. If they purposely show interest in the plant, it is usually a request for catfood.

The habit of approaching the plant to get other types of attention, all that has dropped. The Pointsetta plant is making its home here. Lulu is allowing the plant to stay.

Since CatMom loves red and vibrant life, she very much appreciates this Christmas gift from Superstore. Thank you!