A NEAR FATAL FREAK ACCIDENT

A freak accident happened at our house a couple weeks ago. It was frightening and we’re all still feeling the effects of the trauma it inflicted. My hubby and I were sitting in the living room, watching television, following all the news about COVID 19. I heard a clanking sound in the kitchen and assumed it was the cat jumping up and getting in the kitchen sink. So I ignored it at first. Then a few minutes later, the clanging sound got louder, and I hopped off the sofa to see what was going on. When I got to the kitchen I saw our cat Dara, thrashing her head and neck, back and forth, with a heavy heater vent attached. Apparently the tag on her collar somehow got caught in it. The poor cat had managed to pull the heater vent up from the floor it was wedged in. The vent was dangling around her neck and she couldn’t break free. I instantly realized what a dangerous situation this was. I had to get the vent disconnected ASAP. But picking her up, put the full weight of it on her neck. So I had to hold her, balancing her and the vent. It was almost impossible. My hubby came running in, as I screamed for his help. He held the vent. I held Dara. I fumbled to unbuckle the collar. It took more time than I would have liked. But finally she was free. She was trembling. I kept telling her not to be scared. She clung to me for the next twenty minutes. Worried that the vent had broken her neck, or damaged her windpipe I manipulated the area very carefully to see if anything seemed out of place. She didn’t whimper or cry. Thank goodness everything appeared intact. And most importantly she didn’t act like she was in pain. Though I couldn't imagine why not? Eventually she wanted to jump down. So I let her. At first she was a little wary, but got more and more like her old self, as time went by. We spent the whole night monitoring her condition, worried she would die. Somehow though… she survived the ordeal, and is now fine, in spite of the odds being against her. I can't bear to think what would have happened if we hadn't been home. It just goes to prove that old adage... Cats do indeed have NINE lives. In July… Dara and her sister Mira will celebrate their 17^th birthdays. Their unconditional love has filled our lives with such joy. I can’t imagine life without them.

(MIRA and DARA)