Rhett Butler, a furry tale from BCAR

By Robin Sievers / Patricia Kraft

Photographs by Keith Sievers

Maggie’s House, the cat shelter at Big Canoe Animal Rescue, is a busy place but we often like to pause for a moment and share our happy-ending adoption stories with the community. Rhett, a homeless, but beautiful, white kitten was adopted by a Big Canoe family. His story follows.

It was a cold, snowy night in January. A Big Canoe couple had just had dinner and prayed that ‘all the homeless animals would find shelter.’ That evening, a starving calico cat showed up on their doorstep. They opened their door and their hearts to a cat known as Scarlett O’Hara, named for a strong, surviving Southern woman. But, they always knew their Scarlett needed a Rhett.

The following summer, a tiny, soft and hungry white kitten was abandoned at a nearby restaurant and rescued by a BCAR volunteer. When the couple saw the picture of this small, white fur ball, they knew Rhett Butler had indeed come. He joined their ‘Tara’ and unlike their namesakes, this love story continues to this day. Scarlett took Rhett in like one of the many kittens she had delivered, and lost, as a feral cat. Rhett, who is funny and affectionate, fell madly in love with his beautiful, nurturing Scarlett.

The once quiet home, with a grumpy, aging Chihuahua is no longer quiet. It rings of the sound of cats running up and down the stairs, tussling on the floor, batting a catnip-filled mouse and seeking an empty lap. Rhett had not only found his Tara, but his Scarlett as well!

Plan to visit Maggie’s House and meet our wonderful cats and kittens. We have quite an assortment — gender, colors, personalities – so I am sure you could find your next feline family member right here. BCAR’s Open House is held each Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.