cat really does have nine lives
fireman goes beyond duty
gives mouth to mouth resuscitation to a cat
Going Beyond The Call Of Duty~~Fireman Saves A Cat's Life
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
September 11, 2008 2:56am CST
I just heard this on the news and wanted to share this with you as I thought this to be one of those awww moments
In New Bedford, Mass. a firefighter named Al Machado was just one of the firefighters on call to an apartment building were there was a fire. Machado rescued the cat from the burning apartment and started giving it mouth to mouth resuscitation. There were other pets in the building not so lucky and two cats died, and to quote the article
(Quote)
[i]"... two dogs there were saved with the help of oxygen from paramedics and animal rescue personnel. Pets on the other two floors -- including a ferret and even some frogs on the first floor -- were all saved...
Asked what it tasted like to give mouth-to-mouth to a cat, Machado laughed, grimaced and said: "Like fur."....
[/i]
Here's the whole article including a video of Machado giving his mouth to mouth resuscitation to the kitty.....awwwwwwwww
http://www.latimes.com/features/la-on-resuscitate11-2008sep11,0,6505394.story
[b]{Warning this is NOT a referral link but a link to the article}
[/b]
It's nice to know that firemen will go beyond the call of expected duty...Would you ever give mouth to mouth resuscitation to a pet if it needed it?
13 people like this
25 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Well she did try...did she try the total CPR thing? Thank goodness I never had to do that for any of my kitties...but would try to if needed
2 people like this
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
11 Sep 08
what a great story! i think i would at least try to give mouth to mouth, i dont know if id do it right, but i would try. shoot ive had a dog that refused to chew a bone and just attempted to swallow it whole, of course it got stuck and he started choking on it pretty bad. gave him a minute or so to try and cough it up but he couldnt...so i reached in..about half-way down his throat (or it at least felt that far lol) and pulled that bone right out. he coughed and wheezed for a bit, then decided his kibble for a better choice lol!
ive stopped bleeding before..though no "rescue" ive ever done has been so dire as to need mouth to mouth! hopefully i wont either!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Oh my goodness....you were lucky to get that chew bone out of your dog's mouth and yes I guess he's cautious now in thinking of swallowing a bone ever again.
I once helped a neighborhood kid's dog that had gotten hit by a car. It looked horrible..it was a small white poodle and the poor thing was covered in blood...the kid and I went to his apartment with the dog. My main job was to calm the kid down who was in obvious hysterics...I wanted HIM to calm down since a pet is sensitive and can pick up on the feelings and mood of their owner. I took the dog into their bathroom (just me) to examine it...What a great dog..no fear, no trauma...it turned out all the bleeding was from a cut on the muzzle and I cleaned it off...but I advised that they take the dog to a vet..."just in case"--everything turned out all right...that dog was sure lucky and the kid told me they did go to a vet and it turned out nothing serious was wrong...that is no internal injuries or broken bones.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
11 Sep 08
What a great thing to know that there are animal lovers on the fire department too. I've known several fireman over the years, personally, and know they would not have done what Al did.
I've never been in the situation to give mouth to mouth to an animal but would like to think if it did arise I would do all I could to save an animal.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
12 Sep 08
No, I don't remember that but I am 'anti-news' because there is sooo much negative and so little good. I was in tears though reading your account of the story - shows even cats have a motherly instinct to protect their young.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
In case you want to read up on Scarlet and her babies that she rescued it's here...I happen to have that book..
http://www.moggies.co.uk/html/scarlett.html
{Warning: This is NOT a referral link but a link pertinent to the discussion}
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Oh thanks for the link - great story and so nice to read a news story that is positive. I read a couple of the other stories there too 'Feline Heros' I love it :)
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
15 Sep 08
you bet i would.those are my babies.
this happened not to far from me.
i cheered when i saw that on the news.it's too bad the other two cats didn't make it though.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Yes it is a shame the other two kitties didn't make it...but glad he was able to save the one at least
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
15 Sep 08
I saw you're other comment...that's right this happened not too far from you and let me know if you hear an update....
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
27 Sep 08
they had a small update-the fireman who saved the animals just got an award from PETA for above and beyond duty.
as far as i know,the cat is doing fine.
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
12 Sep 08
This is an amazing story indeed. I've never in all my life heard of a fireman giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a cat to save it from a fire. I love cats and dogs, and to me, such loving animals deserve as much priority in saving as humans. What this fireman did for that cat shows the empathy he has for animals and the professionalism he goes about carrying out his duty, and deserves a medal. If mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is what it takes to save a pet from dying, then I will certainly do it.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
He certainly does deserve a medal, I'm betting the cat's owner is grateful beyond words that he saved the cat.
2 people like this
@sherlock27 (913)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I would have no problem trying to save my pet. Love for another being human or animal doesn't make any difference to me. Bless this man, God will have a special place for him someday.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I just love hearing stories like this...there's so much negativity in the world so it's nice to hear someone is willing to save a life of an animal this way
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Yes because you to do not about anything else except that poor animals life when you are giving it mouth-to-mouth. When I first got Goldie, she was only three weeks old, and she still needed a bottle, my brother and I never really thought of anything else, only that she was well taken care of and that she lived. Goldie is 11 years old now. Again, you only think of the welfare of that animal when you are saving that animal. What also comes to mind is that it is someone else's baby. It is someone else pet. You want that person to have their baby back. I know that I will lose my cats one day because they are up in years, but I am hoping that it is not anytime soon, I love them too much.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Sorry again, I meant, you do not think about anything else... my typing has just been really bad lately.
1 person likes this
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
11 Sep 08
That was an awesome story Pye, and uplifting to boot. Thanks for sharing it.
When my cat Cheyenne had her litter of kittens long ago, before I had her fixed, there were three that were not able to breathe on their own. I placed them on a warming pad, set to low and started giving each of them little gentle puffs of air after gently cleaning their airways. Managed to save two, but the third never came around 
. Was weird at first to have an animals nose in my mouth, but having saved the lives of two precious kitties made up for it. Would do it again without second thoughts, if one of my kitties had the need for some air.
. Was weird at first to have an animals nose in my mouth, but having saved the lives of two precious kitties made up for it. Would do it again without second thoughts, if one of my kitties had the need for some air. 1 person likes this
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
12 Sep 08
That's cool. For some reason I have always liked the name Cheyenne, was gonna name my dog that if I ever got a female Siberian Husky again, but with the hot and humid weather we get here in Kentucky, don't think a husky would fit this climate very well. So my calico kitty got the name. I've attached a photo of her. Sorry about the quality the pic was taken with my old piece of junk digital camera, but this pic of her always makes me smile when I look at it. We were getting ready to go to the vet for her monthly check up, and usually she runs as far as she can when the carrier comes out of storage, but on this day she was rather eager to go. Strange little bugger she is..lol!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
OMG--I used to have a kitty named Cheyenne too. Sorry to hear the one kitty didn't make it, but at least two did survive.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
If ever I had a dog, I would love a husky also...my totem animal is the wolf and huskies are "wolf" like. Awww..Cheyenne's a cutie. Yes, cats usually seem to rid and hide whenever they see the traveling case...LOL
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
13 Sep 08
She didn't have worms or anything which was good. But she still have the heavy breathing and heart murmur, but the next course of action was surgery and I believe that would hurt her more than help her, therefore she is continuing to live her life of ease here at home. She plays and doesn't seem to be too hindered by her defects so we are going to let it be for now. Plus we are moving to Northern California-out of the smog, we hope this will help her breathe easier. Thanks for asking.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Yes I would do that for my babies too...How is your "baby" anyway?
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Oh you better believe I would!! In a heart beat!! I was about to do that for my cat Bobo when he was hit by a car. He was alive but fadding pretty fast and I was prepared to give him mouth to mouth to sustain him long enough to get him to the vet but we made it there just in the nick of time for then they put an oxygen mask on him along with vital fluids and medicine to help him regain himself which he did in 2 days. Whew! So yes I would in a split second for they have feelings too!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
How's Bobo doing now? Yes I remember your discussion about him...glad you got him to the vet in the nick of time
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Sep 08
He's doing great!! He does walk a little funny now but that's because of the brain damage that he's sustained but all in all, he's doing great and oh so loving!! Whew!! He's such a lover boy!! lol
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Sep 08
That really was great of him and I too would give mouth to mouth to a pet if it needed it
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
15 Sep 08
i'll let you know if i hear anything pye-like i said,that wasn't too far from me.
but as far as i know,the cat survived,just still being treated for smoke inhalation.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Yes he really is a wonderful person to take the time to save that kitty. Be nice to hear of a follow up story how the kitty is doing
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Yes it's sad when animals are lost to us...I'm hoping I'll meet my former kitties up in Rainbow Bridge
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
23 Sep 08
Definately an 'awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww' moment, pye. Glad the guy was able to save the cat's life through mouth-mouth. Never had to do it but I would in a heartbeat if it would save an animal's life.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Sep 08
I would do that for my two furbabies if I needed to also....uh, Pye might not like it though...LOL
@mjhicks (317)
• United States
12 Sep 08
You're right, AWWWWWW what a guy. But that's what firemen are all about saving lives weather it be human on furry. I would give mouth to snout rescue to an animal if I had to. Thankfully I haven't come across that situation. I rescued a neighbor's dog once when he had been hit by a car. He was a big black shepard mix with a large head. He had a big scrape the full length of his snout and was laying unconcious in the street. His breathing was so shallow I wasn't sure if he would make it but I carried him into my neighbor's kitchen and put ice on his wound, checked for any broken bones and gently massaged his chest to encourage breathing. Soon he came to and she took him to the vet. He had a fractured snout but was otherwise OK. The vet said the ice saved his life by reducing the swelling and making it easier for him to breath.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Oh that was wonderful of you helping your neighbor's dog and smart thinking to put ice on his wound. I bet your neighbor was very grateful for the help you did for her dog
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
12 Sep 08
i dont know how to do it. but i would try to do anything to keep my pet alive.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I wouldn't know exactly how to do that either, but would give it a shot too to save one of my cats if they needed it.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
12 Sep 08
I think it's awesome. The man has a heart. He's someone I would love to know. If he's single, I'll marry him. LOL
I would give mouth to mouth on an animal before a human. I wouldn't even hesitate. Animals are clean. You can't catch anything from their mouth. You never know what nastyies a human can have.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I think any person who is willing to go all out and save the life of an animal like he did I would like to know as well
@k1virus1978 (543)
• Singapore
12 Sep 08
This is touching, a fireman must be a cat lover. I myslef is also a cat lover, God bless the firemens.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I can tell from your avatar that you're a cat lover...is that your cat?
@ghost11 (118)
• India
12 Sep 08
Firefighters first priority is to save lives it does not matter which kind and in this case there were no humans injured. After which he saved the cats life. How he did this does not matter as long as the cats life was saved.That cat must have been dear to someone and to that person it must have been like saving a person.I would give mouth to mouth resuscitation to MY pets maybe not to anyone elses.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
Yes it was his firefighting instinct to save a life even though it was a kitty...what a great person though, no?
