The Story of Buddy, a CAP Rescuee

Mr. Paws' (a.k.a. Buddy) story starts well before he came to live with Ms. Johnson. There are two tales (stories) that converge... The youth group of St. Paul's Universalist Church in Little Falls, New York, would have an opportunity to perform a community service and Ms Johnson would adopt a cat.

During the month of October 2000, the Middlers, the youth group, discussed the concept of compassion and giving, and explored the nature of community. Their first "community" service project was to build two cathouses for the Little Falls based Community Animal Program. (CAP) The CAP plan of action was to provide shelter, feed, live trap, socialize and place cats. One of the Middlers leaders, Bob Smith, obtained blue prints and supervised the purchase of material and construction. These houses were of a sophisticated design which called for generous thermal insulation and a sturdy baffle to dampen drafts and prevent predators from preying on the cats. When the houses were finished, the Middlers brought their houses to the River Road.

An elderly lady who fed about 20 stray cats at her home had to go live in a nursing home. CAP took over the feeding of these cats, and tried to catch and place many of them. Buddy was trapped during the month of April 2001. He was taken to the veterinarian who neutered him and estimated his age to be 3-4 years old. He was placed in foster home for adoption in August. He went to an adoption clinic at the Herkimer Agway, but no one looked at him because he was not a cute kitten.

Ms. Johnson's adoption story began in early summer of 2001. Ms. Johnson’s cat, Pumpkin, her faithful companion of over 20 years died. At the end of August, Ms. Johnson decided it was time to welcome a new cat into her home. Although she was in Vermont, Ms. Johnson was able to look at the available Little Falls cats by looking on the CAP web site. She found a picture of Al, and liked his sad story. When she inquired about Al, she found he had been placed, but there was a cat with a similar story and similar handsome gray and white markings who was available, this cat's name was Buddy. Ms. Johnson visited Buddy at his foster home; he seemed nice enough, so Ms. Johnson decided to adopt him when she returned from vacation.

When Buddy was brought home, he needed another name. The large gray spot pattern on his back indicated his new name should be Mr. Paws. Another reason that Mr. Paws seems to be the right name for him was his manual dexterity. He likes to pet humans with his front paws, can open doors, and is able the fish everything out of a drawer that is open only one inch! A truly clever cat.

He has two favorite games, one is to lie on the steps and hid as a person tries to go down the stairs. His other game is to chase a feather on a fishing pole.

Mr. Paws has a few chores; he keeps the polar fleece in the sewing room from running away. He protects the foot of the bed as Ms. Johnson's sleeps and at 5:30 a.m. each morning, he acts as an alarm clock. We are happy to say both the tail of Mr. Paws and the tale of Ms. Johnson end happily.

By the way, Mr. Paws has decided to help middle school children since they built his safe house. He sponsors a website which has the homework for the seventh graders at Little Falls Middle School. He also is the lead character in a continuing story written and illustrated by Ms. Johnson's nephews. To date there two chapters in his adventure.

Be sure to check his web page (home.twcny.rr.com/mrpaws) for new adventures and of course, homework.