Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 5, 1992 TAG: 9202050069
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
YOUR THOUGHTS MAY HELP OL' RICHIE TODAY
Anyone frequenting downtown Blacksburg knows him.The people at the Virginia Tech Credit Union and Soft Covers know him.
And the big orange tomcat in the alley definitely knows him.
He's Richie.
Richie the cat. He has a home - the front window at Books, Strings and Things on Draper Road - but he fancies himself a loner. He comes and goes as he pleases and can be found wandering just about anywhere in downtown Blacksburg.
He's got a free and easy lifestyle and his owners at the bookstore say he thinks he owns downtown.
"When he first came to the store [five years ago], he wandered in as if he was in the cat division of the Mafia," said Richard Walters, owner of BS&T. "He sat down and fell asleep on a chair. He's the real owner of this store; the major stockholder. I just sign checks and do things that are beneath him."
However, two months ago, Richie's lifestyle began to change. He was still hyperactive and had a ravenous appetite, but he was losing weight. A veterinarian who had been shopping in the store recommended Richie have some tests run.
Hilda Reynolds, bookkeeper at BS&T and Richie's primary caretaker, took him to Dr. Marta Downey at Companion Animal Hospital. Richie was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a disorder in older cats caused by excessive production of thyroid hormones.
"He was put on some medication that will help stabilize him," Reynolds said. "When he stabilizes, they will have to operate to remove the thyroid."
"The surgery itself isn't that tough, but there can be post-operative complications," said Downey."Most [cats] do fine, but you can never rule out the possibility of rocky recoveries or complications."
Also associated with the disease is an increased risk of heart disease and greater surgical risk due to the age of the cats with hyperthyroidism.
According to Downey, the thyroid surgery costs between $180 and $250. A "Save Richie-the-Cat" fund was started at BS&T and store patrons dropped in their extra dimes and nickels.
"There has been amazing support from people," Reynolds said. "Some people have come in just to donate money, not even to shop."
Reynolds is keeping the situation in perspective. She realizes Richie has a "good chance, but it's a serious operation."
Downey says as long as there are no complications, Richie should recover fully and be "his normal kitty self."
Richie's surgery is scheduled for today. There are a lot of fingers crossed that he will once again adorn the front window of BS&T in downtown Blacksburg.