After hearing about this story, I wanted to share it with readers.

When you're raised on a farm, you're an instant animal lover. Everyone in my family has the same soft spot for our animal friends.

But this story that hit the wire services Friday -- about a little black cat with two sets of functioning ears (that's four ears in total) -- seems like some fantasy feline you might find in the 1967 Twentieth Century Fox movie "Doctor Dolittle," strolling among the amazing menagerie led by actor Rex Harrison as "the man who can talk to the animals."

But what I like about this little cat's story, even more than just the curiosity factor, is that it has a happy ending.

Ted and Valerie Rock of Downers Grove, Ill. released photos of their cat this week (though they've had him for two years) and now they're in the media spotlight. They're fielding calls from "Good Morning America," "Fox News" and model Tyra Banks (is her talk show still on?) and are inundated with offers.

According to wire reports, most of the attention began after a photo of their cat made it to the Internet. Then it was spotted and published in Europe last week by The London Guardian and a British tabloid, along with the observation that this feline looks like it should belong to Batman, who accessorizes with his own mask and similar pointed ear cowl.

The Rocks discovered the cat in 2006 while watching a Chicago Bears game at a small bar in Blue Island, Ill..

According to the Associated Press report: "Some people in the bar were passing the then-eight-week old kitten around, making fun of his extra set of ears, mocking his appearance and calling him names such as 'Devil Cat' and 'Beelzebub.' "

The Rocks told the Associated Press they felt sorry for the cat and offered to adopt the kitten from the bar's owner, who kept the animal caged atop the bar for his customers' amusement.

Because of the kitty's extra set of pointy ears, the Rocks named him Yoda, because of what they believe is an uncanny likeness to the small, wise green soothsayer from the "Star War" franchise who advised young Luke Skywalker (aka actor Mark Hamill).

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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