Ujio Day

Let me tell a tale of heroism this summer morning. First, let me tell you how intelligent my pets are. I have 3 cats and I love cats. I inherited this love from my mom who raised me with cats. Mr. Britters, named after the love of my life in high school, has a super power. He is the retrieval expert. Now he doesn’t retrieve everything, but he has a little mouse that my mom bought him. This mouse is just the size of his mouth and it rattles when you throw it. That’s exactly what he wants. See, when he wants to play fetch, he simply brings his mouse to you. He might set it on your lap and give you that stare with those puppy dog eyes or if you hold your hand out then he will gently place it in your palm. He waits. The excitement is too much, for he is waiting for the thrill of the catch. You throw his mouse and you have unleashed the animal in him. He pounces this mouse on whatever journey or trail it takes him. Once he is satisfied with his kill, he wraps his jaws around the toy (but we never call it that in front of him). Then Mr. Britters brings his mouse back to you to repeat the process. Have you ever had a cat that did that? It’s hours of fun, but I digress. This story is not about Mr. Britters. This epic saga is about a hero I’ve known since he was a wee little lad. His name is Ujio.

In case you are wondering where the name Ujio comes from it’s a simple short explanation. Have you ever seen the movie The Last Samurai? Well, if you have then you might remember the baddest warrior in the story. It is the one that beats the tar out of Tom Cruise. I knew we named this cat Ujio because it was destiny. See, Ujio has a special power as well. He is a warrior and a communicator. See this morning started off like every other morning. Shannon was getting ready for school because she is teaching summer school. This bathroom door is cracked a little letting light into the bedroom. There wasn’t much light, but enough that you could see big shapes. Enter Ujio. Ujio started talking to me, even though I’m out of it. I’ve got no reason to be up at 6:50 in the morning. However this isn’t unusual. He likes to tell me about his adventures over night as soon as there is movement in our room. Now, Ujio does not meow, oh no. For this would be what an average cat would do. He actually speaks in some sort of encoded form. There short and long sounds much like Morris Code. I haven’t quite deciphered it all yet, but I know he is saying something. This morning, he had quite a bit to say. He was talking more than usual. He was talking loudly and constantly. He paced on the bed and then next to me. He would stand on my chest, but wouldn’t look me in the eyes except for the occasional glance to see if he had my attention. Ujio was looking to the heavens and his message was paramount. I asked Shannon, what is he trying to say. Now, Shannon was not raised in a house of cats and isn’t as astute as I am to the nuances of the feline. For her level of intrigue was not elevated. But since Ujio and I talk every morning, I knew today was different. He had a message and he was going to make me understand. I asked Ujio repeatedly what it was he saw for when I looked where he was, I saw nothing. He must since something on the roof. This was the only explanation. So I shut my eyes and let it be, but Ujio would not. Finally I believed him and decided to shed some light on this debacle. I looked in the location that had him mesmerized. There it was. The devil incarnate. El escorpión. I had a little run in with one of these in the same location around the same time and Ujio was determined to prevent this from happening again.

Ujio saved my life and for that I cannot thank him enough. We salute you Ujio in all your splendor. I wonder if Ujio is translated to “Heaven Sent.” I’m just thankful that he is on our side. This day will now be known as Ujio Day!