"Kitty-Kitty" - A gut-Wrencher

Executive Summary

This was a gut-wrencher rescue, or more appropriate - a gut-hurting rescue as my gut was hurting from clenching it so hard during the rescue (and clenching other things as well). Kitty-Kitty, a young calico, was stuck 60 ft up a skinny, wobbly sweet gum near Tuscumbia MS. The rescue did not start well as it took me over an hour to set a line at 45 feet. First, had a stuck throw bag, then the first rope I set ended up too far out from the trunk, requiring another long round of big-shotting with a throw bag. However, when I finally started climbing, Kitty-Kitty was in a crouch at 55 ft, and it looked like some easy stem climbing to get within hand-grab range. Unfortunately, during the climb Kitty-Kitty went up another five feet. When I got to my tie in, I put my climbing hook in the crouch at 55 ft and crept up it, keeping my movements small to keep the gut-clenching wobbles to a minimum. When I reached the hook, Kitty-Kitty was still out of reach. I did not want to risk a grab pole fail at that height, so I set a stem climbing cinch and crept up further into range. Kitty-kitty was turning somersaults on her tiny union trying to figure out a way to get to me, but just could not do it. Kitty-kitty's back legs finally came within grab range and I unceremoniously yanked her down to my lap. She handled the rough treatment with no complaint, and was soon in the bag and back on the ground. JD and his little girl were relieved that Kitty-kitty was safe. Mr. Bruce, many thanks for your generous donation to Lovable Feline Rescue of North Alabama!

When I got back to the trunk, I had a voice mail about 'Little One' - a kitty that Max Grisham had rescued about month ago in Priceville was back in a tree. I stopped by on the way home, but after setting a rope, he bolted to the top of the 60 ft cedar. It was getting dark, so the rescue was called off. Max and I went back the next afternoon, and Max pulled off a dramatic pole rescue at the top of the tree. Little One needs to stay on the ground!