Pet Of The Month | TownDock.net | Oriental and Pamlico County NC

Miss May 2004 - Katrina

In Oriental when you need plenty of genuine free advice on how to fix whatever, or find most anything you could ever imagine .... from four different types of mouse traps to plumbing needs to a zillion sizes of nails to a new Huffy bike .....you head to "Village Hardware".

Now in a town that has been deemed "dog friendly," you might be surprised to find a sign that says "No Pets Allowed" taped on the front door of this store. However, upon walking inside the door, you quickly realize why: you're greeted by "Katrina" (full name Katrina the Queen) - the cat who rules the aisles and every high spot as her domain.

George Stowe helps a customer while Katrina minds the counter.

Katrina was named by Linwood Curtis Stowe, proprietor, retired U.S. Coast

Katrina & Linwood great eachother every morning at the back of the hardware store

Guard Warrant Officer. He says he just liked the sound of the full name and also wanted an easy nickname ...."Kat". Linwood & Katrina agree that Oriental's reputation as just a "dog town" just isn't right.

As well as "No Pets Allowed" there is a second sign - "BEWARE, Attack Cat."

The signs on the door spell it out for Village Hardware - 'tis Katrina's kingdom once you come inside.

This feline may be of royal linage, three-fourths Siamese and one-fourth American short hair according to Linwood.

Katrina has been around for about four years and living full time night and day inside the hardware store for the last three years. Before that she went home at night with Linwood, but took an aversion to leaving the store and riding in any vehicle. Seems that she equates going in the car with going to the vet....

Linwood says sometimes the cash register will show an extra few thousand dollars purchased - via Katrina's paws.

Although most know of Oriental's two fine coffee shops

From these chairs coffee is consumed, and much free advice is delivered.

..... certain locals know there's actually a third and that's inside and on the left wall of Village Hardware with three old chairs for the long winded. The coffee is free and the stories are big.
This is also known as Katrina country.

Katrina has her favorites among the local coffee gang. Seems that she even has a way to lead the chosen few down the aisle to where the kitty treats are stashed (the heck with coffee for cats).

Proprietor Linwood grew up in Oriental, left after high school, and spent

20 years in the Coast Guard (you can tell that by his sign on the door "Open Hours" ... 0730-1700), and then retired in Alaska. After two sons and three daughters and way too many miles NW of Pamlico County, Linwood slowly made his way back here and purchased the hardware store in '95.

While Katrina the Queen may have royal linage .... the store itself has it's own linage with proprietor Linwood, son George, daughter Christa, and step father Ken Davis all in and out and all with the same big welcome smile. Village Hardware also has long roots going back to the 1920s .... it was once Delmar Brothers Hardware and located in the old brick section of Harbor Marina, then moved to the building where Scoots now makes yummy pizzas, and then on to it's present location.

Looking out for new customers...

George says that Katrina is a climber and a jumper, but every time I head in the door to buy a new drill bit to replace the last new drill bit that I can't find....Katrina is fast asleep on top of the computer monitor next to the cash register. There you are .... a hardware store with deep roots run by a family with strong ties, and all ruled by a cat that thinks it's a Queen.

Katrina - Miss May

Katrina's Bio
Favorite Movie: Born Free
Why she likes living in Oriental: beats Alaska
Celebrity Pet Most Resembles: Elizabeth Taylor
Favorite Play: "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"
Least Liked Thing: the term "Dog Friendly Town"

Know a pet that is a standout? Send in some details & photo to pet@towndock.net. Tell us why that pet deserves the coveted Pet of the Month Prize Package --- accolades, a pat on the head (snakes excluded) and a bag of Ms. Mary Duffie's Gourmet Dog Bones ( or snack suitable for the species).

We regret that we cannot offer a college scholarship to Pet Of The Month winners.

Animals caught near the HarborCam attempting to suck up to the judges will be disqualified.