Ocracoke Pets Feel the Love
Roanoke Island Animal Clinic has made monthly visits to Ocracoke for the past 15 years. Lots of cats and dogs filled the Community Center for their turn with Dr. Grossman, who said Ocracoke pets are great, and the patience of their owners is even better.
"Dr. Grossman is wonderful," said Kati Wharton. When her cat Jakes almost died from fatty liver disease, Dr. Grossman "all but adopted him. He took him, kept him in his office, and tried different foods until one worked," she said.
Kati recently adopted two Post Office kittens, rescued by Ocracats. Midnight and Sunshine will join Jakes and a big, semi-feral tomcat that takes advantage of Kati's generous nature.
Robert Raborn was picking up some medicine for Hunny "Bonz," his brindled sidekick. What's wrong with Hunny? "She's old," said Robert.
Champ was visiting Dr. Grossman so he would stop digging and scratching at his coat. At 130 pounds, the yellow lab "is bigger than my smallest child," said owner and proud dad Beaver Tillett. Champ's father lives on Hatteras, and he has several siblings on Ocracoke.
Charlene Garrish was quietly saying goodbye to 11 year old Sammy, her full blooded Siberian Husky who was suffering from cancer. Sammy came home with Charlene from Western NC, and while she didn't particularly care for the ocean, she loved staying outside in the winter, and having her coat regularly groomed in the summer.
Sammy also enjoyed drinking Pepsi from a red solo cup, a treat offered by Charlene's dad, Bobby. Bobby and Charlene buried Sammy yesterday in his backyard. Sammy will be missed by her adoptive sister, a Welsh corgie named Chloe.
The whole family names their pets after venerable Ocraocoke women. Charlene's sister Angel has a cat named Maude Ellen, and Bobby has a dog named Grace.
Ocracoke School Principal Walt Padgett brought in his cat, originally adopted by Walt's daughter, Ali, and named Lafayette. Concerned that Ocracoke cats would make fun of a feline sporting such a fancy name, Walt re-christened him KC, for kitty cat.
"I've never been a cat person. I've always been a dog person," said Walt, who tenderly scratched KC's head and confessed that he has in fact been "good company."
Nicole O'Neal Uribe found an abandoned litter of puppies in Washington, NC, and Ali Arter and Brian Fulcher adopted one. "He's all mutt," said Brian affectionately.
