"Shelby" Is Stuck Again

Details

It was Saturday morning, and I noticed some text messages on the Kat Fone about a kitty stuck in Brandon. I called back, and talked with Ester. A family kitty had been stuck in a tree since possibly Wednesday, could I help? I told her that I would pack the truck and leave immediately. Ester warned me the kitty was in some woods across a drainage ditch, so I brought some lawn mower loading ramps to help bridge the ditch.

It was mid afternoon and I noticed a voice mail on the Kat Phone. It from Pam, her kitty 'Shelby' was stuck again. I returned the call and arranged to be there later that afternoon. When I arrived, Pam told me that Shelby was stuck in the same general location, a wooded area next to a pasture behind the house. I drove the truck into the pasture and next to the woods, then followed Pam to Shelby's tree. It was about 50 yards in this time, and it was a smallish pine tree. Shelby was about 35 feet up and about 4 feet from the trunk. I hauled my gear to the tree and started setting a line. It took a few tries, but I was finally able to install a climbing rope at 40 feet. On the first rescue, Shelby ran when the rope was installed but this time he just watched the entire process in a tired manner, occasionally panting. When I reached Shelby's limb he gave me a small warning hiss, but did not move. I pulled out some kitty treats and he immediately showed interest. After a minute, he started walking back to the trunk, and then let me nab him with the Kat bag. Whew, that was a relief, I had been ready for all sorts of drama based on the first rescue and was happy that Shelby was cooperative this time. I returned to the ground and handed Shelby off to Pam. The post-rescue picture below (courtesy of Pam) shows Shelby safely inside his house. There is no video as I forgot the camera at the house.