Friday, January 29, 2010

Rescued by a German Shepherd: Cat survives nearly a month after being trapped in culvert


saultstar.com Nine-month-old Piper the Kitten used up one or two of his nine lives this month when he went missing from his home near snowbound Sault Ste. Marie. When his owner, Verna Decaire, let him out the evening of Dec. 8, she wasn’t too concerned when he didn’t return right away. But when he still didn’t show up the next morning she started walking the neighborhood calling his name.

Verna and her family continued to search for the cat over the course of the following weeks. Christmas came and went. No Piper.

My son R.J. “was very upset,” said Verna. “Well, we all were. I kept telling R.J. one of the neighbors had probably picked him up and he is warm and safe and we are going to keep praying for him.”

What she didn’t tell R.J. was that she feared Piper had frozen to death or been killed by a wild animal. But she never completely gave up hope that Piper would return.

“I kept praying he would come home or we would hear someone took in a cat and it might be him,” she said.

This week, when Decaire and her daughter Brittany were getting ready to go shopping, they ran into a neighbor, Mary Hicks, and her dog Aili, a young German Shepherd, at the end of their driveway. As they chatted, Aili feverishly began digging a hole in the snow piled up in the culvert at the end of the driveway.

“She kept digging and digging,” said Hicks. “I was trying to get her away, but she kept on digging. She’s already a big dog, she weighs about 80 pounds . . . she kept dragging me back.

“She must have dug down about three feet. The only thing you could see was her behind and her tail.”

Hicks eventually got control of the dog and they continued their walk, leaving a hole in the snowbank.

Verna went into the garage to start the car while Brittany waited outside. Brittany heard a screech.

“She thought she heard a crow,” said Verna. “She told me it was more of a screech and she looked up at the trees to see if it was a bird.”

The noise got louder and Brittany realized it was coming from beneath the ground.

“Just then a cat crawled out of the hole the dog had dug,” said Verna. “I was in the garage, but Brittany was screaming, ‘Mom, Mom.’ I ran to her and as she turned toward me I could see the cat and I started screaming at the top of my lungs. ”

Even though the cat was half the size Piper was when he went missing Verna, knew it was their family cat.

The mother and daughter bundled up the cat, rushed him into the house and were relieved when the first thing he did was run to the bathroom to drink out of the toilet, a longtime habit of his.

When R.J. returned home from school that afternoon, the first sound he heard was Piper screeching.

“He wanted to know what the noise was, but then he yelled, ‘Piper, I knew you would come home,’” said Verna.

Piper and R.J. slept together Wednesday night and things have almost returned to normal.

“I think it is a miracle. I cannot even comprehend being in a little closed space for all that time and have the will to keep on living.

“We are going to save some money and get him fixed so he will be an indoor cat and never wander away again.”

Even though Piper lost two pounds during the month-long ordeal, he is expected to make a full recovery, according to his vet.

National Canine Cancer Foundation

18 comments:

Sam said...

As Khyra would say, that story has me all leaky --

I'm so happy that little guy was found and is home. What a story!

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Oh my!! What a beautiful story. Thank you sooooo much for sharing it.

♥I am Holly♥ said...

What a wonderful story!! Thanks for sharing it!!!

Sagira said...

Such an amazing story. So happy they found the kitty.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Sam is khorrekht!

Of khourse, I would have helped find the khytty ;-)

Thank woo fur sharing this one!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Teddy Bear said...

What a great story.:) Animals are amazing beings...ones with strong wills to survive and ones that can sense one in need and all they want to do is help.:) Great job, Aili and Piper!

Love,
Teddy Bear

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

What a wonderful story - so glad to hear the happy ending!!! We all know that a dog is man't best friend, but in this case, Aili has to be Piper's new best friend.

Happy Friday, Phantom and Thunder

Two French Bulldogs said...

Thank you for posting the story
Benny & Lily

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I feel so good when I come to visit you. Whenever I do come to, I always take my time to look around.
That was such a wonderful story.
Aili was sooo smart to dig for little Piper kitty face. Aili must have a sensitive heart I think.
And I am glad little Piper kitty did not give up.
Thank you for the most beautiful of stories to touch my heart.
I hope you feels better.
love
tweedles

The Oceanside Animals said...

Poor kitty. And good dog.

Ms. ~K said...

Wonderful story...I hope Aili had a special dinner as a reward for finding lost Piper!!!

How Sam Sees It said...

Dogs do amazing things, don't they?

Sam

Wolfe's den said...

Your blog is so touching!!!
How beautiful all animals are!!!
I just love your blog!!!
Jenn~

Anonymous said...

A very precious story! I'm so glad I found your blog! Nothing like a sweet doggy story.
Be a sweetie and thanks for popping in to see me,
Shelia :)

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Wow, what a story of survival! So glad this kitty will be ok.
--JB

Mochi and Bali said...

What a great story! :) Thanks for sharing!

Mochi

Golden Samantha said...

Absolutely amazing... what an incredible tale with a beautiful ending - thank you so much for sharing!
Hugs xo
Sammie

Life With Dogs said...

Amazing story, what an inspiration!