Pet O’ The Week:

Some tales are hard to believe, but this one is absolutely true as relayed by Miss Grace Cowart and her mom, Molly.

Ada Lang

"Michael Jackson" and Grace

About two years ago, one of Grace’s cousins had a cat that gave birth to a litter of kittens. They decided to adopt one but their chosen one was very elusive and shy. Sound familiar? 

Still, they plucked the kitten from his hideout — behind the lawnmower — and brought him back to Cedar Key. Then the fun began, trying to name him.

Pop singer Michael Jackson had recently died and according to Grace, her mother, Molly, had been downloading Michael Jackson songs from iTunes and playing them nonstop. So, it occurred to them that they should name the kitten something that reminded them of the singer. 

Several options were considered: Michael Jackson, M.J., Billy Jean, Thriller? Until they could decide, they would call him Kitty Boy. At age 8, Grace was a very thoughtful young lady and decided that they should name him “something in remembrance” and the name “Michael Jackson” stuck.

Fast forward two years. Cedar Key is finally getting the utilities fixed, the roads paved and it is complete mayhem in front of the Cowart house, so M.J. apparently decided to go into seclusion again, for about three months. Sound familiar?

Grace thinks that “the machines probably scared him off - there was lots of noise.” She and her mom were heart broken and put a notice in the papers but the island probably has about 200 black and white cats, so it was no surprise that they really didn’t get any meaningful leads on where to find him.  

Grace didn’t give up hope and Molly tried to keep up her spirits but deep in their hearts, they knew he would probably not come back.

Then one day, out of the blue, Molly Cowart opened the front door to take Grace to school and something flew past her into the house. She turned to see what it was and  saw her daughter, Grace scoop up Michael Jackson and burst into tears of joy. M.J. was back! After she set him down, he just stood and stared at Molly to feed him, as if he had never left. 

Grace still worries a little that “he will leave again because Blackie (their other cat) hisses at M.J. but a little extra love and affection should reassure him that he is home to stay. He clearly knows he is a very lucky cat.