I really like cats. I’ve owned several during my life; most of them have not given me any trouble; with this notable exception.
Nicki was a pedigreed Abyssinian, about 9 months old, very cute and not very rascally.
But one nice summer day he climbed a very tall tree in front of our house. Then, frozen with fear, he began to cry for help. Since we lived on a dead-end street, all the neighbors came out to watch him and offer suggestions for rescue. I called him repeatedly, but his only response was to continue to cry.
My next idea was to climb the tree, but looking at the tree; the branches would not support me. Darkness came with no progress; I felt defeated, and spent a restless night worrying about little Nicki.
I was up early the next day, and began calling him, with the same results. Someone asked me to call the Fire Department.
So I did; and believe it or not they came. After they checked out the situation, they told me their ladders would not reach the cat. they offered “Don’t worry, your cat will just fall out of the tree”.
I replied ” You mean after he’s dead?”.
Another restless night worrying. Up early again, calling my kitty.
Then my 3 year-old Russian Blue cat, Daniel to our utter amazement, began climbing the tree. I didn’t know what he was doing; we just watched as he climbed all the way up to Nicki. While all the neighborhood watched and cheered, he calmly escorted his little buddy down the tree into my arms.
Three days in the tree didn’t seem to effect Nicki; but he never climbed another tree.
My hero, Daniel lived a long & happy life, but never had another opportunity to do rescue work, but I would have gladly encouraged him to help others.
