We first came to Kiawah Island for Spring Break in March 1994 after a very challenging winter on the Main Line of Philadelphia. Kiawah had been recommended by a long time visitor, so we headed south. When we arrived at 2 AM and opened the car doors, the glorious smells and soft air invited and enveloped us; we were immediately smitten by the island and were renewed.
We have owned property on Kiawah Island since 1995; in 2005 took the plunge and purchased a “real” house that could be a permanent residence in retirement. We did just that; we retired early 2009, sold the house in Gladwyne PA, and moved down in September. Us is Jay, Nancy, one large (100+ lb) lab-blend rescued dog Beauregard (Beau), and one 17 year old SPCA rescued black cat Charlie. Son Lane remains in Washington DC, where he had settled several years ago.
Charlie was initially named Charlemagne, then Charles, but his sweet ways led us to the very friendly name Charlie, aka Chuck. Charlie was mostly an outside cat until we moved to Kiawah. He had created a nest in our rock garden where he could monitor 280-degrees of his “cat-dom”. His was a very happy life, and everybody loved him. People who attended our For Sale Open Houses and/or the moving sale would hold him in their arms, he purring happily, as they strolled the gardens and viewed the house.
Charlie hated being confined to the Kiawah house, and on November 7 he bolted. Understand that there is a bobcat den next door, the occasional alligator in our backyard lagoon, eagles and other hungry and territorial creatures. At the time of his departure, he weighed 9 pounds and had been given thyroid meds for about 3 years. This was not a happy scene and we were devastated.
We alerted the security gate and KICA, posted signs, wrote up his description in the local media via WelcomeToKiawah.com, we alerted neighbors. We grieved for an entire month. During that time, we saw 2 dead black cats along the rural mainland roads; no Charlie. On December 7, one month after his disappearance, we had packed up his stuff to donate to Pet Helpers (Folly Rd), and a neighbor was ready to mail a sympathy card when we received an urgent e-mail that a cat fitting his description was turned into The Nature Center.
We rushed to the Nature Center. We did not recognize him because at 4.5 lbs. he was half his normal weight; but it was Charlie -- confirmed by the way he cuddled when Nancy picked him up and the love bite he laid on her chin.
Many people must be thanked for Charlie’s remarkable recovery. Liz King at the Center took him for emergency treatment to Johns Island Veterinary Hospital and fostered him at home overnight. He cuddled in bed with her son who was sick at the time. Staying at the Center during the day, he stole the hearts of everybody there. Equally important were the quick actions of a self-proclaimed “non-cat person” Brown Windle, currently living on Sea Rocket Court. His was the only house with lights on when Charlie took position on his porch and meowed until Brown came out to see the bedraggled cat who had been living in nature for a month. Brown left for the evening. When he came back, Charlie was still there and howled for help. Knowing that bobcats were nearby, Brown took him into the house, gave him a bath, pulled off a month of burrs and ticks, dried him in a towel as Charlie purred happily, made him a bed, and lit a fire for warmth. Knowing that Charlie must be somebody’s pet, the next day Brown turned Charlie into the Nature Center, KICA was alerted and we got the urgent e-mail from Kelly Bragg. We must thank Kelly for making the connection between a lost black cat and us.
No one can explain how Charlie survived in this environment. There's no precedent. Many have said that “he is one tough cat” while also being so sweet. We have no idea where Charlie spent the month and are interested in hearing from those who may have seen him. We have met many interested and interesting people through this journey, and we thank all of you for your concern. BTW -- Brown Windle now thinks cats a really OK, especially if they are sweet like Charlie.
I think the photo with his dog Beau sums up the story. He's home.
Nancy and Jay Smith
Salt Meadow Cove
Kiawah Island
nancy.smith@gladwyne.com
