The Best Person I Know Is My Cat by Jackson

The Best Person I Know Is My Cat by Jackson - October 2021 Scholarship Essay

Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen is the best man I’ve ever known. That one-eyed, fluffy, four-legged war hero inspires me every day.

The woman who originally adopted Smitty (Debbie) saved him from euthanasia. Smitty was going to be put down because he had a terrible disease that could spread to other animals in the shelter. Debbie him took him to the vet for treatment where Smitty underwent many procedures and tests. He also spent time quarantined in Debbie’s room, which made her realize she had an allergy to cats. Smitty needed a new home.

When I met Smitty, he had two eyes. I loved him immediately and snuggled him. He was still infectious, so I had to change out of the clothes I wore and shower when I got home. Debbie continued to foster Smitty through his battle against the illness. He beat the infection, but there was no saving his left eye. Smitty lost the eye, but we gained a Smitty.

Smitty came home with us on October 10, 2011, and he has been part of our family ever since. Smitty is no longer infectious, but he has an infectious attitude. We have had 13 pets in the 10 years we have had Smitty, including four dogs. Smitty is very accepting of other animals and helped us raise four of kittens that were birthed and abandoned in our garage. Smitty is very friendly to visitors. When my mom walks on the trail behind our house, he waits at the edge of our footpath and greets passing runners, strollers and walkers of all ages and breeds. Smitty has also inspired artists across the U.S., and his likeness has been reproduced in silver pendants, acrylic and digital paintings, plastic and in steel by renowned sculptor Jeffie Brewer.

I’m sure that in the process of reading this essay something has nagged at the back of your mind. Why is his name so long? I was seven years old when Smitty joined our family, and I was an avid fan of “Spongebob Squarepants.” There is a throwaway character in episode 46 of season 3 named Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen. My Smitty has something in common with the cartoon Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen; both are “#1.”

Being #1 has its perks, but Smitty has faced a good deal of adversity throughout his years. Smitty has troubles with depth perception and often bumps into walls and doors. Smitty has faced hardship in relationships, too. Smitty had to watch most of his friends leave or die in the 10 years he’s lived with us. He also gave up his carefree, country-cat lifestyle in rural East Texas to brave a cross-country move with our family to a new neighborhood in Illinois.

Living with Smitty for all these years has made me more accepting of others. I have followed in his example, and I’ve become a better leader and friend. While I may not be #1, I’ll settle for #2 to that guy any day.