Cats Saving Humans

One of the things you will notice here, at least I hope you do, is my dedication to  helping the critters who really need help.  It makes my heart smile when good things happen.  Cats, dogs, and other critters are totally amazing.  Not only that, they can make a difference in the lives of humans as well.  Of course we all knew that!  Here is a wonderful story that was published in the Humane Society of Berks County (Reading, PA) Newsletter.  It is about a cat named Rusty…

“Last week we told you that every cat has a story. This one might be the most interesting we’ve ever heard.

When Claire Nelson adopted Rusty just after Christmas 2009, she didn’t know he’d return the favor a year and a half later by saving her life. But that’s exactly what Rusty did in the early hours of Wednesday, June 8th, when Claire was suffering from what she believed to be heartburn.

Rusty

According to Claire, Rusty is a “normal cat” – laid back, relaxed, not terribly excitable. That’s what made his behavior last Wednesday morning noteworthy. Claire says Rusty was very agitated and wouldn’t stop bothering her. “I’d lie down and try to sleep, and he’d stand on my chest, making these guttural sounds I’d never heard before. When I got up and sat in a chair, he’d jump up and put his paws on my chest. He wouldn’t let me sleep.”

Since Claire didn’t have to work until later that day, she scheduled an appointment with her doctor about her chest pain. She had to take two buses to reach her doctor’s office in Exeter, and while waiting for the second, Claire’s pain increased and she grew faint. She called paramedics and was rushed to the hospital. As a former critical care nurse, Claire knew what was happening: she was having a heart attack, and believes Rusty saved her life by alerting her to it.

Rusty and Claire knew instantly that they would be a good fit. When Claire visited the HSBC looking for a cat, none of the others she was shown appealed to her. Then, the adoption technician introduced her to Rusty, an older, slightly overweight cat who took to Claire like he’d known her forever. She took him home that day, and in her own words, “I’m lucky I did.”

What Rusty did is scientifically inexplicable. Studies are currently being conducted to determine if animals are capable of detecting cancer or other diseases in humans, but there’s no solid evidence out there that indicates what physiological information those pets are processing, or if it’s not just pure chance.

What we can say is that Claire gave Rusty a second chance and a wonderful home a year and a half ago, and he certainly appears to have made good on the debt. Claire hopes that attention drawn by Rusty’s heroics will help other cats in the HSBC’s shelters. She’s compelled to tell Rusty’s story because while it might be unlikely that an adopted cat will save your life, you can certainly save his.”

It goes to show that saving a life can be a wonderful thing.  If you are not familiar with The Humane Society of Berks County, please check them out.  They are truly leaders and are extremely creative in the efforts.  For example, on July 16th they are having a Beer Tasting Event to raise money, and it’s called Pints for Pups, pretty clever I’d say!

Remember, adopt cats, we deserve it!!!  Purrrrr! Zip! Later!

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