Published: May 26, 2007 09:55 pm         

Late cat did ‘more than some people do in their lifetimes’

Flea market raises money for homeless pets

One cat may have unified more people in his short life than most humans ever will in their lifetimes, with a “circle” that will never be “broken.”

Main Street in Sophia was packed for Saturday’s second annual Peanut’s Promise to Pets. All proceeds from the flea market and celebration, including live bands and pet contests, will benefit Raleigh County Animal Rescue, a no-kill, nonprofit agency where volunteers take homeless cats and dogs into their homes and work to find them permanent ones.

The event is named for Peanut, the unofficial Sophia town cat who grabbed attention and hearts when he was lost in late 2005 and found in Fayetteville in early 2006. Unlike last year, the black-and-white, gray-striped tabby with four white boots and a raccoon tail could not attend. About a week ago, Peanut was killed when he was hit by a truck while trying to cross the street in downtown Sophia.

John Fanary and Rocky Lohmann, co-owners of Stagecoach Salon and Peanut’s caretakers, teamed with RCAR to organize the event. Fanary and Lohmann said the event’s kickoff was emotional, given the circumstances. The first singer sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” and dedicated it to Peanut’s memory.

“It was just a very special moment,” Lohmann said. “That song — it meant a lot to us.”

“I heard that song, and I thought it was an amazing first song for this event,” Fanary said. “I’ve been very emotional. I’ve worn sunglasses all day.”

The celebration’s second year, Lohmann said, was far larger than last year’s, and several attendees signed a petition at Stagecoach to lower the downtown speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph. The salon’s front now has a memorial to the famous feline, with a wreath, photos and Peanut’s collar and tag that identified him when he was found in Fayetteville.

“If Peanut were here right now, he’d be sleeping in the air conditioning,” Fanary said. “He’d be saying, ‘You fools! You’re outside playing and having a flea market for all my hairy friends. ... Y’all are crazy!’”

Fanary and Lohmann encouraged citizens to support their chosen agencies that work to help abandoned, abused and/or injured animals. These agencies need money for vet bills, medication and food.

During the day, animals found abandoned and injured were dropped off to RCAR volunteers. Missy Omar, an RCAR volunteer, said a kitten hovering near death, a Jack Russell terrier with a broken leg and another “tuxedo-colored” kitten found in a grocery store parking lot were given to RCAR. She said the sick kitten was already improving and the terrier was receiving medical treatment.

“Those are sick and injured animals that were not out on the streets — events like these help us get them forever homes and the best care possible,” Omar said.

Dr. Ama Milano, a Sophia native and retired Beckley plastic surgeon, brought her sheltie, Shaddow, to the event’s dog contest, were he won a third-place best-dressed award for his hat and sunglasses. She emphasized her belief that caring for animals is human responsibility.

“God put us on this Earth to take care of other animals and creatures. It is our responsibility to do that,” she said. “It is up to us to be the human race, not another animal race.

“Because of one little cat, there’s opportunities for other animals to have homes, to have their needs met. In his short lifetime, he accomplished more than some people in their lifetimes.”

Beckley resident Robert Adkins came for the dog contest, where his St. Bernard, Deacon, won Best in Show and other various awards. Adkins never met Peanut, but believed the late feline was no ordinary cat.

“If he was the type of cat to inspire an event like this, he must have been one special cat,” Adkins said.

Those interested in adopting Saturday’s abandoned animals or any others in RCAR’s care are encouraged to call 228-9047.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com