TERRE HAUTE —
I’ve never been much of a cat person, mostly because when I was younger I was allergic to their dander. Also, I considered cats to be sneaky and annoyingly independent. At the time, I preferred dogs.
When my children were small, we lived in a large, two-story home and their bedrooms were upstairs. One day after work as I was getting out of my car at home, I saw something strange going on at the side of the house. A basket, with small, furry heads bobbing around inside, was attached to a rope and was slowly moving toward one of the bedroom windows. Lo and behold, my daughters had hoisted up several kittens in the basket thinking no one would notice. Needless to say, we had to find homes for the cats. Trying to appease my unhappy family, I got them a puppy.
Many years later, shortly after Thanksgiving last to be exact, a small, starving Orange Tabby cat appeared in our yard. Her meow and growl happened simultaneously. She had obviously been mistreated. We could see her bones and she was terrified of everything and everyone. We gave her food and tried to coax her inside to no avail. If we tried to pick her up and bring her in she immediately jumped out of our hands.
It took several months, but her meow became normal and she was growing rapidly. She spent her nights and most cold days under our neighbors’ deck out of the cold, but she ate at our house and was gradually becoming our cat. Ultimately, we purchased a small doghouse and put a rug and blankets in it to keep her warm. She was home. This is where the story teller would write, “and they lived happily ever after.” But wait, there’s more …
Thinking one cat showing up unexpectedly was enough, we certainly didn’t expect or particularly want another one to come our way. However, one morning about a month ago I went to the front door to get the paper and was surprised to hear a loud MEOW, MEOW, MEOW, and then a thud against our door. Standing there looking up at me was this young, dark cat.
Obviously hungry, (aren’t they all?) I hesitated, then grabbed a bowl and fed him.
After a day or two, we called Animal Control and sent this one to the Terre Haute Humane Society. They do a great job and find homes for many animals. But we both felt guilty and feared he might suffer an early end if they had too many cats. So, after much discussion, my wife and I decided to make arrangements with the shelter to adopt this mesmerizing feline. To say he has personality is an understatement. In his own way, he verbalizes everything he wants and usually gets it. He is unbearably cute.
Thankfully, I don’t appear to be allergic these days, but ME, a cat person? My daughter, Kate, is skeptical. After hearing we adopted a second one, she said to me, “Who are you and what have you done with my dad?” MEOW, MEOW, MEOW!
Ronn Mott, a longtime radio personality in Terre Haute, writes commentaries for the Tribune-Star. His pieces are published online Tuesday and Thursday on Tribstar.com, and in the print and online editions on Saturday.
Opinion
RONN MOTT: How I became a cat person
- Opinion
-
-
RONN MOTT: Frustration
For those who know me well, they can say without contradiction I am not a patient man. But in this hustle and bustle world I’ve been a part of all my adult life, I’ve had to learn a little patience. On occasion, however, I find some experiences extremely frustrating.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: MVC tourney an event worth having
It’s been a long time since the Missouri Valley Conference chose Indiana State University to host its post-season baseball tournament, but Terre Haute had never been more prepared for an event such as this.
- READERS' FORUM: May 23, 2013
-
EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
-
RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
-
READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
-
READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
-
Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
-
EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
-
RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
-
EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
-
RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
-
Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
-
Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
-
RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
-
READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
-
READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
-
MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
-
GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
-
FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
-
RONN MOTT: ‘Raccoons II’
In the Algonquin Indian language, raccoon means “working with hands.” They are really cute little fellows until they injure a child, or a pet, or leave feces around where you certainly do not want it.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Oklahoma Family Reflects on Lost Son
Today in History May 23
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
