Animal Rescued

We were closing down at The Net for the night. Bringing in the outside chairs and flag, we could hear a cat calling and crying. Its distress rang clear but where was the poor fellow and what could be the problem? A determined search led us across the street, through the back field, and finally, there was Cat, stranded on a 30 foot power pole.

It happens every day. Leave them alone till they figure it out. An ex-fireman assures us they have never found a cat skeleton on top of a pole. He has been involved in a rescue after a cat spent four days aloft. Leave it be.

But this cat is lonely. Frightened. Probably thirsty. None of us has a ladder or climbing spurs. We all go home, assuring one another Cat will find the way down before morning.

That never happened. By morning he has been stranded 16 hours that we know of. We get on with our opening duties trying not to let our worry show but when next we take a peek seven crows have discovered Senior Cat and his dilemma. They take turns winging in for a look. Will they force Cat off the crossbar? Trick him into a fall? Peck out the eyes? Our worry turns to panic.

We call 577-2708, Animal Rescue. What can be done we ask? How can this critter be coaxed down the pole? They suggest we call the fire department. Though we are shy and hesitate to bother this heroic team Cat still needs help, Angie dials and with her clear and rapid Spanish explains Cat's need. Out they come, those wonderful souls, to evaluate the situation. This is a power pole they tell us and so the electric company is called.

At 11 am, 19 hrs following discovery, Cat is brought down from the pole and returned to his owners at Fandango. We were not able to take pictures of the rescue. Instead we thanked the San Felipe Firemen with their own Valentine chocolates. Our thanks, and Cat's, to everyone involved.