STRAY CAT STRUTS IN COUNTY PARK

Buddy Lee Parker's bandanas, e-mail and personal locker break the feline mold

By Mark Bliss ~ Southeast Missourian

Buddy Lee Parker won't chase his tale. He's too busy catching mice.

But his co-workers are more than happy to do so, touting the story of a stray cat that has found a permanent home in Cape Girardeau County Park North.

Workers in the park department have adopted the 2 1/2-year-old black cat as their mascot. Thin and hungry, he was found scavenging for food at one of the park shelters two years ago.

Employees first called him just "Buddy" and then added Parker in recognition of the fact the cat lives permanently at the park. Lee jeans commercials featuring the character Buddy Lee gave the idea for the rest of the name.

Buddy Lee spends much of his time in and around the maintenance shed at the park, where he has his own locker and wears custom-made bandanas.

Buddy Lee gets Christmas cards and other fan mail. Park employees even gave him his own e-mail address: buddyparker@charter.net.

Parks superintendent Bruce Watkins said the cat does his share of work around the park. A chalkboard in the maintenance shed lists Buddy's on-the-job accomplishments. Since finding a home, he has caught 62 mice, 14 lizards, five snakes, five frogs, four moles and one giant worm.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123