On the evening of Nov. 20, my cat, Makana, jumped out into the darkness and into the woods behind my apartment. I thought I’d never see her again. The following Friday, I walked out to look for my cat and I heard her meowing. I searched around to try to find her only to realize she was 40 to 50 feet in the largest tree she could find.
My cat is an indoor cat and had never climbed a tree before. I knew she wouldn’t come down.
When I called the fire department, I was told they don’t do tasks such as that. Neither the Humane Society nor the animal control would get her out.
On Nov. 22, a neighbor, Leann Flynn, offered to climb a tree to get my cat out. She managed to save my cat but then fell from about 25 to 30 feet out of the tree. She landed on her back and then hit her head. I held her hand while another neighbor ran to dial 911. The fire department had to come out to save her. She damaged a nerve in her foot, got her two front teeth knocked out, sprained her ankle and bruised her shoulder. She spent four days in the hospital, including her 45th birthday, but returned home just in time for Thanksgiving. Despite all of her injuries, she kept in good spirits the whole time.
I wish I could have traded places with her. But you see, I couldn’t make it up that tree. With her unselfish dedication to help others, she climbed that tree like a 10-year-old child. She is my hero and has a compassionate heart. I’m glad to say we’ve become close friends out of this whole ordeal. Her father told me that she often volunteers for heroic deeds like this, that she sincerely caring for every living being. So again, she came through to show her generosity, vigorousness, courageousness and courtesy.
These noble characteristics are the best qualities that one could possess and show the great significance of a true neighbor.
