ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 13, 1996 TAG: 9607150008
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS-BANKS STAFF WRITER
Church mice need not apply.
They won't find their calling at St. Paul United Methodist.
It's not that the good people in the congregation scorn them. You'd be hard pressed to find a mouse-ouster among the 1,150 members on the church roll.
It's not the preacher, either. The kindly Rev. Doug Kanney has nothing against the annoying nibblers.
And, of course, everyone knows how God feels about all creatures - great and small.
No, there's only one living thing for mice to fear at this church.
He answers to the name Pumpkin.
Pumpkin - a furry, red fireball - is the self-appointed BIG CHEESE at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
"He showed up in September 1994," said church secretary Carol Gunter. "He hasn't left yet."
Gunter believes the red tabby cat was dropped along West Main Street in downtown Christiansburg.
"He was not well when he came here," she said. "He had ulcers in his mouth. We think he had gotten into some battery acid at the [neighboring] service station."
"He was crying when I first saw him," Gunter recalled. "He was hungry, so I fed him. I had to."
Gunter wasn't the only Good St. Paul Samaritan with a fondness for felines.
The Rev. Chuck McHose, director of programs and education at the church, gave Pumpkin his rightful name.
"He said he looked like a pumpkin," explained Gunter.
Shannon Sherman carted Pumpkin to the veterinarian. Animal lovers in the church started a fund to help pay Pumpkin's medical bills and to have him neutered.
Becky Craighill bought Pumpkin his very own house and furnished it with soft, comfy towels and woven rugs.
Children showered Pumpkin with affection.
And Gunter provided Pumpkin's food. In fact, she indulged him.
It didn't take long for her to figure out that Pumpkin was a finicky cat.
"He got spoiled," she admitted. "The only dry food he'll eat is Little Friskies and he hates anything with liver in it. If you put certain kinds of food out, he'll turn around and walk off. He eats well. ... He doesn't lack for anything!"
True to his nature, Pumpkin acknowledges all this attention with little more than a swish of the tail.
"Oh, he's very independent," Gunter said. "He comes and goes as he wants to.
"He's not a lap cat," she added. "He doesn't like to be picked up or held. He's kinda moody."
Most days, Pumpkin lazes at Gunter's feet under the computer in the church office or rollicks in the bushes outside. The great outdoors is where he feels most at home.
"During the winter, Shannon Sherman kept him at her house and he just sat at the window, looking out and crying," Gunter said.
No doubt, Pumpkin was hearing the call of the wild - or maybe just a little squeak from within.
"He does catch mice," Gunter said. "We've seen evidence of that. In fact, he left one at the door for us. I guess he was trying to earn his keep."
Gunter figures Pumpkin must surely feel blessed to be a part of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
"He's just a lucky kitty. He wouldn't be here if he wasn't."
And, she figures, luck runs both ways.
"Oh, yeah. We've grown attached to that rascal!"
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Alan Kim. St. Paul United Methodist Church secretaryby CNBCarol Gunter holds Pumpkin. color.