Thane, India: A 60-year-old man lay over his beloved cat companion, shielding her from the building which was falling down around him. He was killed. His cat was saved.
The 2-year-old female cat suffered an injury to her spine and back leg as a result of the disaster which befell both her and her caretaker but is otherwise safe and well.
As the rescue team approached, the cat remained in the man’s arms until she was rescued. The man has been identified as Madhav Barve.
https://youtu.be/ezu5zdRMak8
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — King James Version (KJV)
It appears that Mr Barve’s wife and son were not in the building when it collapsed and therefore were not killed or injured. They may be able to look after the cat who was finding it difficult to walk but she has been x-rayed and, we understand, treated appropriately. There will be a tough time ahead for this cat, I suspect. She has lost her excellent human guardian. Without him she may struggle to survive.
Without wishing to sound critical, looking at the video, the people could have been a little less keen to show off the cat to the video camera and a little more eager to get her to a clinic for treatment but nonetheless she did receive treatment and appears to be in fairly decent health. I don’t see her feeling pain from her injuries judging by her behaviour.
Over the years, we have discussed many subjects about what we would be willing to do safeguard our cats. Here is one:
https://pictures-of-cats.org/You-have-lost-everything-except-your-cat-or-dog.html
Thanks for reminding me Dee.
No doubt in my mind that I would lay down my life to save any cat, not just my own. Any cat lover who feels differently needs to just rename themselves “my cats only, maybe caretaker” and get out of my realm.
Prayers and condolence for Madhav Barve and his family. I would have done the same thing. I hope his son and wife continue to look after the cat. She obviously meant a lot to him.
My condolences to Madhav Barve’s family. I hope they continue to care for his cat. He clearly loved her very much and it would be a fitting way to honour his memory.
I’d love a follow up story to find out what happened.
I would and will do the same if this type of situation would arise!
Me too. Well said Irish.