Friday, April 06, 2007

Friday Furry News

Mom and and discussed the name of our "Friday" posts - Friday Furry News seemed more user friendly. This week the Boston Globe had a nice story about a lifesaving kitty in Indiana. I like to chase kitties, but I wouldn't chase this one - she is a hero.

Family calls housecat a lifesaver
April 5, 2007 Associated Press


NEW CASTLE, Ind. --A cat helped spare a family from death by carbon monoxide poisoning by jumping on the bed and meowing wildly as fumes filled the home, the owners said.

Eric and Cathy Keesling said their 14-year-old cat, Winnie, played a crucial role in saving their lives March 24 after a gasoline-powered water pump in their basement caused the odorless but deadly gas to build up.

About 1 a.m., the domestic shorthair began nudging Cathy's ear and meowing loudly.
"It was a crazy meow, almost like she was screaming," said Cathy, who hesitated to get up until Winnie's caterwauling and jumping persisted.


When she finally climbed from bed, she realized she was nauseous and dizzy and couldn't awaken her husband. Because he had undergone minor neck surgery the previous day, she decided to call 911 but was so disoriented she had trouble dialing.

Paramedics found the couple's 14-year-old son, Michael, unconscious on the floor near his bedroom. The Keeslings were taken from the home in oxygen masks, treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and soon recovered.

Cathy Keesling said Winnie acted similarly last summer when tornadoes tore through the area, 45 miles east of Indianapolis.

"I really believe cats can sense these kind of things," she said.

6 comments:

Molly the Airedale said...

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa Winnie!!! What a wonderful story!

Love ya lots,
Maggie

Anonymous said...

My Mom says my cat brother Gunnar saves her life all the time from bugs. I'm going to tell Mom that's nothing compared to Winnie! That's a cool strory!
Kaos

Peanut said...

Ah why couldn't it have been a dog. But at least that cat saved her humans.

Boo Casanova said...

wow, that's one amazing cat. i want to be the hero for my hooman too. i read quite a no. of "pets saving their hooman's life" story and wish one day when need arises, i will be there for my hooman too.

wet wet licks

Boo

Charlie said...

Amazing!
- Charlie

Sophie Brador said...

Who knew cats were that smart. I always thought they were just busy being weird. I mean, have you ever tried to talk to one? They wag their tails like their all happy and like, hey doggie, come and play ..... and then swack! Right across the nose. They clearly have communication issues. This must be an exceptional feline.