I remember the summer I graduated from high school and grandma Dailey died of a heart attack. I spent most of the summer taking care of grandpa Dailey on their farm in Hinckley. They had wild kittens and I asked grandpa if I could have one. He told me if I could catch one, I could have it.

I caught a female kitten and called her Morris. It took me a week to tame her. On the day of their auction, it was cold and raining. Morris stayed inside my jacket the whole day and from then on, we were inseparable.

My brother Leslie’s dog Sam came to stay with us when Morris was full-grown. I was in the living room and Sam comes over to me and attacks me for no reason. From out of nowhere, Morris sprang on Sam and kept him away from me so I could escape.

Mom put Sam in the basement and went with me to the emergency room. I had stitches in my right ear and right forearm. I thank God for Morris. Morris is gone now but she will always be remembered.