Heroes of 2010

The Daily Beast’s Heroic 2010

Our fellow creatures have proven time and time again just how amazing they can be. You’d think by now we would have caught on, and give them the acknowledgement and respect they deserve! Still, whenever one shows us their mighty skills, especially when it’s in the form of brave and lifesaving efforts on our behalf, we must take a moment to reflect and applaud these wonderful animals.

The Daily Beast compiled a gallery of the ten top animal heroes of 2010, complete with any available video for each; you can view it here. The stories are awe-inspiring, and even if you’ve already seen or read about them (chances are, you did!), it warms the heart to see those wonderful events again. And to think there are so many more stories such as those included, miracles happening every day!

I received an email once, from a woman who’d adopted an adorable kitten I had fostered. Maggie is a beautiful tortie, with semi-long hair, puffs and tufts all over. She’s always had an endearing personality. But this Mom to Maggie was beside herself this time. Merely from the words in the email, you could feel the gratitude she felt for her now-grown, but still little kitty. She told of how she kept an electric pet drinking fountain in her office at home, and of the nightly ritual she had with her cats of spending time in the office and their lounging in there with her while she worked. She still keeps a tray of treats in there, refreshed daily, just for them.

Maggie

One night she was finishing up and ready to go to bed, but Maggie was persistent about something behind the water fountain. Her mom finally went over to see what was going on, more so to appease Maggie than anything else. There she found the cause of Maggie’s odd behavior; the cord had somehow split open – a spark or fire just waiting to happen. She unplugged the fountain and tossed it out. But she couldn’t get over the what-if’s; had Maggie not alerted her to that damaged cord, would they have had a fire? The mere thought of it is frightening, really unnerving. Thank god Maggie was there, and she noticed it.

As far as her mom is concerned, Maggie may very well have saved the lives of their household – Mom and Dad, and all her feline siblings as well. She received some extra treats, and tons of extra attention and loving for that night. And an appreciation that just simply goes beyond words. And yes, her mom considers Maggie a hero in their house!