| Leo was a purebred Bengal, with wonderful rosettes, spots, and glitter fur. He came to the Massey household in a miraculous kind of way. Katy wanted to show CFA purebred junior showmanship, but we needed a purebred cat. We thought we would first try a rescue cat so called the Battle Creek (Calhoun County) Humane Society to see if they had any adoptable purebred cats. They did not; but the receptionist said that a woman from Kalamazoo had called recently wanting to adopt out a Bengal. She suggested we put an advertisement in the local paper, so we did and the woman with the Bengal (our Leo) called. After some hesitant negotiations, we adopted Leo for $50 - the owner had originally paid $600 for him as Bengal are a very expensive breed. |
| Leo first went to the Van Buren Youth Fair in 2003 in the Purebred division, taking second place. He never did make it to a show in CFA as we later found that CFA did not recognize the Bengal breed and Leo had been declawed before we adopted him. |
| Leo was an exceptional teacher for the Massey family. Never before had we experienced the personality and uniqueness of a Bengal. He had a meow that ranged somewhere between a dying cow and a crow. We knew the sound very well because he made it constantly when he couldn't go outside. Although Leo was declawed and a very rare breed of cat, we quickly made the decision that God had brought him to us so that he could enjoy the outdoors as he was originally bred for. Bengals originate from Asian Leopards. So, Leo went inside and outside whenever he wanted. |
| Leo never was a true hunter, but was thrilled at his capture of the occasional butterfly or grasshopper. In fact, he would find you and cry incessantly until you went to inspect his latest catch. For his enjoyment then and in tribute now, the west garden at the Massey home is designed as the "Leo Garden" with plants specifically grown to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. |
| One evening in the fall of 2003, Leo left the porch at the Massey house and did not return. For months, we were devastated hoping someone would call and send him home. Although there are times we regret letting him outside and ultimately losing him from our lives, we know with all our hearts that having the chance to experience the out-of-doors is why he was brought to our home. We gave him wonderful opportunities to play "leopard" in his own backyard where he would routinely lounge on fallen logs, camouflaged by the woods and feeling wonderfully wild and free. |
