Jack Thornton
A cat, a tree, a tragedy
Published on Wed, Feb 10, 2010 by Jack ThorntonRead More Thornton
Big doors often hinge upon small screws. This story is about how sometimes no one is responsible while, at the same time, everyone is responsible.
A woman we'll call Mrs. Jones called our hospital to seek help regarding her cat that had been near the top of an 80-foot fir tree for about three days.
She desperately requested assistance to rescue her pet because the local fire department refused to respond and a professional tree worker required $100 for his services, which she said she could not afford.
Could I please come out to help her?
Uncaring or cautious?
Mrs. Jones' anxiety was obviously contagious. My receptionist criticized the fire department for their callous lack of sensitivity and concern. I defended their position on the grounds that fire departments cannot entangle themselves in relatively mundane affairs since it might interfere in the event of a really serious emergency.
Still irritated, she then implored me to help this poor lady and her cat, but again I countered that securing a frightened cat high up in a tree required more finesse than I was prepared to offer. Dealing with an excited feline at ground zero can be tricky enough.
Somewhat miffed by my heroic impotence, my receptionist gave Mrs. Jones the telephone number of a local pet rescue organization. I expected to hear no more of the incident.
A helping hand
In the meantime, a volunteer from the organization went to Mrs. Jones' property to offer his assistance. He assured her that he had performed similar rescues previously and that he was a qualified climber.
For whatever reason, he was not equipped with safety gear.
Near the top of the tree, this kind man called down that he felt a little dizzy and that he was going to rest momentarily. Subsequently, he lost his grip and fell apparently unconscious to the ground below.
Horrified spectators, including Mrs. Jones and the man's wife, attempted to revive him, but he died shortly after the fall. He was married with three children and recently had invested the family's savings in a budding new construction business.
He had no life insurance.
What became of the cat?
Upon hearing of the tragedy, I was for quite some time inflamed by the urge to affix somebody, myself included, with the responsibility for this seemingly unnecessary tragedy. It seemed so preventable at so many junctures.
It never was determined exactly what happened. Speculation of a bee-sting anaphylactic reaction was bantered about, but to my knowledge never confirmed. The newspaper account recorded the general details of his death and the man was accorded the heroic plaudits that he justifiably deserved.
The kitty climbed down the tree all by itself within one hour after the accident.
Jack Thornton is a semiretired veterinarian. Reach him at columnists@sequimgazette.com.
A woman we'll call Mrs. Jones called our hospital to seek help regarding her cat that had been near the top of an 80-foot fir tree for about three days.
She desperately requested assistance to rescue her pet because the local fire department refused to respond and a professional tree worker required $100 for his services, which she said she could not afford.
Could I please come out to help her?
Uncaring or cautious?
Mrs. Jones' anxiety was obviously contagious. My receptionist criticized the fire department for their callous lack of sensitivity and concern. I defended their position on the grounds that fire departments cannot entangle themselves in relatively mundane affairs since it might interfere in the event of a really serious emergency.
Still irritated, she then implored me to help this poor lady and her cat, but again I countered that securing a frightened cat high up in a tree required more finesse than I was prepared to offer. Dealing with an excited feline at ground zero can be tricky enough.
Somewhat miffed by my heroic impotence, my receptionist gave Mrs. Jones the telephone number of a local pet rescue organization. I expected to hear no more of the incident.
A helping hand
In the meantime, a volunteer from the organization went to Mrs. Jones' property to offer his assistance. He assured her that he had performed similar rescues previously and that he was a qualified climber.
For whatever reason, he was not equipped with safety gear.
Near the top of the tree, this kind man called down that he felt a little dizzy and that he was going to rest momentarily. Subsequently, he lost his grip and fell apparently unconscious to the ground below.
Horrified spectators, including Mrs. Jones and the man's wife, attempted to revive him, but he died shortly after the fall. He was married with three children and recently had invested the family's savings in a budding new construction business.
He had no life insurance.
What became of the cat?
Upon hearing of the tragedy, I was for quite some time inflamed by the urge to affix somebody, myself included, with the responsibility for this seemingly unnecessary tragedy. It seemed so preventable at so many junctures.
It never was determined exactly what happened. Speculation of a bee-sting anaphylactic reaction was bantered about, but to my knowledge never confirmed. The newspaper account recorded the general details of his death and the man was accorded the heroic plaudits that he justifiably deserved.
The kitty climbed down the tree all by itself within one hour after the accident.
Jack Thornton is a semiretired veterinarian. Reach him at columnists@sequimgazette.com.
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