#314 BUDDHA (DSH Cat) Oak Bluffs, MA - Wildwood, FL
BUDDHA #314, a 5yr 8# male DSH cat’s story overlaps three other pets Driver Susan M transported while on vacation. On the return trip south south of Massachusetts, Susan had the pleasure of being escorted around the island of Martha’s Vinyard, MA, before picking up Buddha. We will let her tell you her saga.
Driver Susan M pu 11/7/08 del 11/9/09
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E-MAIL From Susan M
Fri Nov 7th 2008. Drove from Springfield, Mass to Falmouth, Mass. I parked in the ferry parking lot, and caught the bus that takes you to the ferry. Bought a round trip ticket for $15 and hopped on board the ferry to Martha's Vinyard. Was met at the dock by Kim and her sister Ann. The two women were so nice and fun, it's like we were all sisters. Ann drove her car and took me with her sister Kim on a tour of the island. It was a quick tour. We stopped for a quick lunch and Kim paid for my lunch, and she bought me a sweatshirt. We stopped at a few stores and I bought a thick, leather, wool, sheepskin, hand made winter hat that also has a ventilation hole in the top and the sides come down to cover my ears. It's cute. Since I drive a truck in 48 states, this hat will be great in cold winters. Especially windy Wyoming winters!!
After driving around and taking video and photos', we stopped at Kim's house and got her cat Buddha. He is a very cute and sweet cat. We made it back to the dock in time to catch the ferry back to Falmouth.
Once back in my Nissan truck, I drove a short distance to Wareham, Mass and picked up LUKE. A cute and energetic Australian Kelpi Shepherd. He is 8 years old and has energy like a puppy. He was so excited to ride with me and really liked the cat Buddha, who was riding safely in his cage. About midnight I stopped in New Jersey at a Motel 6 and brought both pets in with me.
To keep the cat Buddha safe from the dog Luke, I put Buddha in the bathtub (no water, obviously) and opened his cage to let him wander about the bathroom. I took his litter box out too and placed it near the toilet. I made sure he had enough food and water and then shut the door to let him rest in there. LUKE was running around the hotel room, but stayed near the bathroom door often to sniff the cat. At one point during the night, Luke jumped on my bed and slept at my feet. He would whine a little at wanting to play with the cat, and Buddha meowed a little during the night. I didn't get too much sleep. I slept as much as possible.
I was up at 6:30am, took Luke out to the bathroom, jumped in the shower, then loaded pets and everything in the Nissan and proceeded to drive to the TA Truck Stop in Richmond, Va. I met Theresa and her husband who then took Luke to his new Ranch.
I let Buddha out of his cage several times while I had him, on his leash to let him stretch his legs. During the drive to my house in Florida, I let Buddha out to roam around inside the cab of my Nissan truck. Buddha didn't mind the dog and we all got along. I made it to my house, over 1000 miles from New Jersey, at about 1:30am. I was exhausted. I didn't want to spend $60-70 on another hotel and I knew I could make it home with no problems. My strength would hold up. I am a long haul truck driver and used to fatigue and have good endurance.

After Kelly left with his mom, I drove to the house of Carolyn. She is legally blind and could not drive to get her cat. She was reunited with Buddha inside her home. I took alot of photos' of pets and their people and have posted them on myspace, and sent them also to photos at operation roger.
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