Word: edentate

 

edentate

[ ee-den-teyt ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Edentata, an order of New World mammals characterized by the absence of incisors and canines in the arrangement of teeth and comprising the armadillos, the sloths, and the South American anteaters.
2. toothless.

 

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The cat was ugly. Her fur was matted and patchy. One of her ears was split nearly in half. She was missing one eye. And, when she opened her mouth, it was revealed that she was completely toothless. And she was exactly what Beth was looking for. 

According to the papers attached to the cat’s enclosure, her name was Ophie, and she was a 10-year-old tortie. Beth only really cared about the name though. The age was irrelevant, and the color was obvious. She held a hand to one of the openings in the clear plastic enclosure. Ophie’s whole ear twitched and her one eye looked at Beth. Then the cat came up and sniffed the human’s hand. Beth slipped a finger into the far too small enclosure. The cat sniffed it more and then rubbed the side of her mouth against it. 

Beth’s heart practically melted right then and there. She called over one of the shelter employees, and young man whose name tag read ‘Jeff.’ 

“Yes? Something I can do for you?” Jeff asked. 

“I think I’d like to have some time with this one.” 

“Ah, Ophie, huh? Good choice. She’s a real sweetheart. It’s a shame there’s such a hard time adopting her.” Jeff said as he opened the enclosure.  

Beth held out her hand for the cat to sniff. She rubbed her rough, matted fur against Beth. The woman gently lifted the cat, who did not seem to have the slightest issue with it. In fact, when Beth brought Ophie to her chest, the cat dug right in for some quality cuddles. Beth’s smile was wide enough that it threatened to split her face in half. 

“Okay, yeah, I don’t care about anything else. I’m definitely adopting her.” Beth said, rubbing that cat at the base of her neck.  

“Really? That’s great.” Jeff said. “There was some real concern about her not being adoptable. She...not the prettiest cat around.” 

“I know. That’s one of the reason’s I’m adopting her.”  

“What do you mean?” 

“I came in here fully planning to adopt at least two cats that nobody else will. Ophie here is one of them, now I just need to find another. So yeah, point me to another that wouldn’t get adopted otherwise.” 

“Really? You mean it?” Jeff asked, wide eyed. 

“Yup. In my old home, I used to volunteer at a shelter. It was tiny. Way smaller than this one. And it always bothered me that everyone always wanted to adopt the younger cats, or the best-looking cats. It was all so superficial. All cats deserve love. Back then, I wasn’t in a position to adopt. Now I am.  So, I’m going home with at least two cats that nobody else will consider.”  

“Well then, I have one that’s perfect. I’ll show you Avocado. He’s a standard grey tabby who...didn’t have the nicest life before coming here. He doesn’t really like others, either human or cat. But I bet in the right home, he’ll warm up to you.” 

“Perfect. And I bet this little lady here will be a big help on that front as well.” Beth said, rocking her new feline companion. 

Ophie looked at her new human and opened her toothless mouth and gave a tiny mew. Beth liked to think that was her way of agreeing with her idea.

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All cats deserve love, even the ugly and unpleasant ones. Remember, if you want a cat, either go to your local shelter or adopt one off the street. Fancy breeds are all well and good, but there's nothing like the love a street cat can show for the nice human who gave them shelter.