Rosie and the Pussycats

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
One of the kittens on the day the feline family was discovered.
Ok, here's the situation. About two weeks ago, my son phoned me with a dilemma. "Hey, Ma," the voice mail squawked, "I found a cat and four kittens in my garage and I don't know what to do." The subsequent ma-launched investigation revealed that indeed, a mother cat - little more than a kitten herself- and four kittens were tenants of the garage. The feline family had taken up residence under a dark, damp stairway. My son discovered the cats while washing his vehicle; once we were able to get a good look, it was apparent that the kittens were about four to five weeks old. It was also apparent that Mamma Cat needed some immediate nutrition assistance. Feeding four hungry babies was taking a toll on her own tiny body. We believe the cat was entering and exiting the garage through a broken window but just what, where, and how she was eating was impossible to conjecture. So off I went to a local market, where disposable litter boxes, cat beds, food-and-water bowls, and kitten food were purchased. The original idea was to "furnish" the garage with the bed, the boxes and food and water but my daughter-in-law decided to bring cats and caboodles into the apartment she and my son share. Special preparations were required because they already own two cats. The furry refugees were kept apart from them. But by the second day, it was obvious that the situation wasn't working. What To Do, What To Do The idea of contacting an animal shelter was bandied about but I vetoed the plan. I believe that the kittens, in their fragile, cuddly bundle-of-fur states, would likely be "adopted" but I am equally convinced that the not so little, not so cute, skinny, long-haired Mamma Cat wouldn't be so lucky. And I do not believe that the consequence of her detection should be her death. So I again visited a local market, purchased a large "Pet Porter" and an abundance of other supplies, including toys and a nifty liquid food supplement fit for cats and kittens, and brought the cat clan to my house. Did I mention that I already share my home with two dogs and one nine-year-old spayed female cat? "Bear," Chief," and "Lily" have been housemates for about five years and have developed an understanding between them; more specifically, "Bear" and "Chief" get along as though they were littermates and if they are foolish enough to invade "Lily's" space, she beats them about the nose with her claws until they vamoose. So for now, Mamma Cat [now named "Rosie"} and her four kittens [a coal-black brave heart named "Mad Max," two tiger grays yet to be named and the tiniest of the four, a hissing, spitting, ferocious, thinks-she's-all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips smoke-hued fluffball named "Gizmo"] are enjoying the safety and privacy of my step-son's large, vacant bedroom. They enjoy "room service;" food and drink are delivered three times a day, the two litter boxes they use are changed twice daily and room visits usually include about 20 to 30 minutes of human contact time. They are checked regularly for fleas [none so far] and "Rosie" is showing signs of weight gain and an increased energy level. She loves to be petted and brushed. But she is an inquisitive mamma cat and she wants to know what exists beyond the closed bedroom door. And since I plan to keep her, as well as "Gizmo" and another sibling ["Mad Max" and the remaining tiger-gray are spoken for], I need to figure out how to introduce the newcomers to the established animals. I am asking for reader help. Advice or strategies that may be helpful [i.e. successful] would be most welcome. I like the cat. I want to keep her. Because when you get right down to it, Rosie the Cat is just another single working mother trying to feed her family. I'd like to give her a place to call home. Susan Bush can be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com.
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North Adams Man Indicted on Murder, Arson Charges

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Darius Hazard was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder related to deaths of his parents last November. 
 
Hazard, 44, pleaded not guilty to the charges and to a third charge of arson of a dwelling house.
 
He is being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction, where he has been housed since Nov. 25. 
 
Hazard is accused of assaulting his parents, Donald Hazard, 83, and Venture Hazard, 76, on Nov. 24, 2025, and setting fire to the family on Francis Street. 
 
The bodies of his parents were discovered in the home by firefighters. 
 
North Adams Police said Hazard allegedly confessed to the assaults and the arson when he was taken into custody that day.
 
Hazard was initially arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Nov. 26 and was to appear for a pretrial hearing on March 3. That hearing was postponed but he was indicted March 23 on the felony charges and his case removed to Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
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