"Huck" Helps Himself

Executive Summary

I received a text message from Jennifer on a Friday evening, her kitty "Huck" was stuck high up a pine tree in Arab AL and no one had been able to help her. I arranged to be there the next morning. I also contacted Max Grisham, a friend and new cat-stuck-tree rescuer from Athens AL about the kitty and he said that he would meet there to help out. On arrival the next morning, Jennifer led me to a pine tree in the back yard where "Huck" was hanging out. He was crying loudly for help, and while we stood there, Huck worked his way down to about 40 feet. Max arrived, and we worked together to install a rope at about Huck's original position. During the rope install, Huck came down a little further to about 35 ft, then went out on a limb and looked like he wanted to jump to a neighboring tree, but fortunately did not. I geared up and started climbing. As I ascended, Huck decided that I was not climbing fast enough and started coming down the tree to me. I hastily donned the Kat Bag just as Huck reached me, who essentially fell off the tree into my lap. Back on the ground, Huck was released from the Kat Bag by Jennifer, and then he rubbed/purred/investigated as Max and I packed up. I was happy that everything ended well! (until I discovered that I had locked my key in the truck, requiring a sheepish call to my wife, who met Max and I halfway with the spare key). Max, thanks for helping out on the rescue, taking photos, and saving me from my key-locked-in-truck mistake!

Jennifer and Creighton, many thanks for your extremely generous donation to Lovable Feline Rescue of North Alabama.