Chester and Robin! Courtesy: Robin Olson
Our June FURPOWER beneficiary is a wonderful rescue called Kitten Associates. Based in Connecticut, Kitten Associates was founded by Robin Olson and Sam Moore. Kitten Associates is the result of years of working tirelessly to help find homes and care for cats in need. Robin and Sam decided to make Kitten Associates an official non-profit in 2011 and they are doing inspiring work! Robin is also the prolific and very funny blogger at Covered in Cat Hair.
I love this story that Robin sent us about one of her success stories, Chester. In addition to rescuing and finding homes for homeless and abandoned cats, Robin is always available to help a cat in need. This story just proves – follow your instinct!
“Finding Chester”
by Robin A.F. Olson
www.coveredincathair.com
©2012 Robin A.F. Olson
A 19-year-old cat named Chester escaped his family’s car when they stopped to have lunch at a local diner near my home in Connecticut.
There’s a lot of very dense brush around the diner and beyond that there are thick woods. Interstate 84 passes one side of it. It’s been a common dumping ground for cats, garbage and other debris. With the summer temperatures about to soar and a plethora of wild animals in the area, the cat didn’t stand much chance of surviving for long.
A team of local cat rescuers began searching for Chester. They put out food, but it remained untouched. They set up night vision cameras, but there was no sign of the cat. Chester’s hearing was diminished so he couldn’t hear us call for him and he couldn’t see very well, either. After looking for four days we all feared the worst.
I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned, feeling in my heart that time was running out. I should go back to the woods and search for Chester. I can’t explain the curious feeling of panic blended with a “knowing” that told me if I looked again I’d find the cat. I got up at 6:00AM and shortly thereafter began my search.
Chester, moments after his rescue! Courtesy: Robin Olson
As I walked through the woods, I called to Chester. A bird flew over my head. A branch fell onto the ground. I thought I heard something else…a cry? I felt drawn to a particular direction. I saw a big tree, some of which had fallen down. Under one of the large limbs, I thought I saw a FACE. Was it the morning light playing a trick on my eyes? I got closer. The thing wasn’t moving. I thought that maybe it was a fox. I took a few steps closer then realized…it was CHESTER!!!!!!!!
I ran over to him. His lead was caught up in some debris. He wasn’t moving. My heart sank. I thought he was gone. I broke apart the branches to free up his chain. He moved ever so slightly. I reached under the tree to pick him up. He was very limp, but HE WAS ALIVE!
I ran Chester back to my car and drove as fast as I dared to the Animal Emergency Clinic. The Vet took him into the exam room while I called his family in Maine and gave them the good news. They were elated.
Chester’s condition was “iffy” and though they couldn’t get a pulse on his limbs, his heart sounded surprisingly good. The Vet had spoken with Chester’s family and found out that Chester was not 19. Turns out he is 21!
After nearly a week in intensive care, Chester’s condition improved enough so that he could finally be reunited with his family. Chester was out of the woods, in more ways than one.
Readers, OMG, did this story give you the goosebumps like it did me? That Chester is a very, very lucky boy. Thanks for the incredible work you do, Robin and Sam. The world is a better place with you in it!
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Very heart-warming story.. thanks for sharing this!
I had a cat that was lost for 3months,every day I went looking for her,until all I did was keep calling her from the front door. Then one evening I said to my husband that I had to go to find her, he said wait for him but i couldn’t ,I said I had to go now,so off I went with cage, stopped at an overgrown sight and called her,then I heard a Mia ,and it was my lovely kylie.i was so happy ,I knew I had to go at that moment,sadly kylie is not with us any more but lived to almost 20. I have 7 cats and love them all the eldest 2 are 20 .
So lucky. Shows how important it is to never give up:D
I’m glad to hear that Chester was safe and reunited with his family! This story is a great reminder of how it is important to pay attention and help out how we can instead of just ignoring what is going on around us. You never know when it might be you who is in a position to save a life!
Thank you for letting me share this story with you. I was so thrilled when Chester eventually made the trip to his summer home in Maine. Chester was very weak from his ordeal, but he did get back on his feet, although he never wanted to go back outside again. About six months later, around Christmas, Chester passed away in the loving arms of his family. I still cry thinking about it, but I am very happy he died with his family instead of out in those woods, trapped under a tree.
Yes, it did give me goosebumps, I have had my share of lost kitties, and I am so glad that Chester got to live his final times with his loving family. R.I./P. Chester. Carene Williams.
I remember Chester’s story – that was amazing!
Wow! We definitely have goose bumps. What a wonderful story.
What a happy ending! I love all cats but have a special place in my heart for seniors. I’m so glad Chester got to spend his remaining few months with his family.
We need more happy endings like this! Wonderful, wonderful story!!!
There are still caring people out there. Am so happy Chester is with his family in Maine. And 21 years of age, goodness he looks wonderful. He holds it well. Live long Chester xoxoxo . Maine is a great place to live
I do LOVE a happy ending.
Thanks so much for sharing!!
What a blessing to find Chester! No wonder cats have nine lives.
What an amazing story – one with a happy ending too,.
What an amazing story of love, determination and instinct!
This touches my heart.
xo Glogirly
Oh this story made us so happy. We hope that we will find Arty soon. She has been gone a month and our hearts are breaking and we were about to give up hope and then we read this story. Miracles are possible.
What an amazing story! Reminds me of the time the infamous Brewskie Butt slipped out the front door when I lived in the country. For three of the worst days of my life (and his, I am sure), he roamed outdoors in sleet and rain. I saw his glowing eyes in the night but he was too scared to come to me. Finally he came into a shed lured by stinky noms and yowled at 4 am, at which time I was able to catch him and bring him back inside. What these kitties put us through!
AMAZING story!!! I love it…and I want to read more of them. But, when I go to sign up for the newsletter and enter my email, it keeps thinking my clicks are mean to go to that Qtips ad over there. <:( Can you subscribe me to the feedburner manually? Thank you!! And thank you for this story!
I think all of us who follow Covered in Cat Hair were amazed by Chester’s rescue. He recovered to spend the rest of his days with his loving owners, and passed away some months later with them by his side. One of the Kitten Associate rescue kittens was named in his honour.
Yes it did! One of my biggest fears in life is losing my cats outdoors. Personally, I don’t know why people travel with their cats and if they have to, no car door should EVER be opened unless the cat is securely closed in a carrier! It was a relief to read that this geezer kitty was found. I imagine he wouldn’t have survived much longer!! So glad for the happy ending.
OMG, goose bumps and TEARS!! Lots of tears!
SOOOO glad Chester is ok!!!