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Curious cat leads to wild winter adventure

"Curiosity got the cat?" On the morning of Dec. 26, we discovered our 9-month-old cat, Murphy, was missing. Not hide nor hair anywhere.

This led our search to the outdoors where he could have slipped out late on Christmas night, when our dog, Charlie was being let out. We called to him on that snowy day after Christmas and he answered with frightened meows.

After trying to find where the meows were coming from, We discovered him in our approximately 60-foot densely branched Cedar tree about 5 or 6 feet from the top. (Oh, it has power lines running through it too.)

An exhaustive effort to find help proved futile. It was getting late and the snow was not going to let up any time soon. We were distraught: When would he come down? And what would he do when he did?

Adding to our concern was the frequently visiting coyote on our block.

Our neighbors were supportive and a few hung around to the end. One neighbor friend, Craig Carlson, came over and he stood there surveying the tree when suddenly he took his jacket off and shot up that tree with a handled bag in tow.

Everyone stood there in shock as Craig made his way up. When Craig reached Murphy, he was not giving up the safety of his branch so easily: he clung with all his might! Now Craig had to hold on with one hand and free the cat with the other.

As we stood there necks craned up, the tree began to quiver and a cloud of snow was dusting our faces when suddenly Craig appeared on the ground (both feet firmly planted) with the bag containing our wayward cat.

This was an amazing and dangerous act of kindness. Everyone there had tears in their eyes and breathed in relief. Thanks to all of you for your support.

Thank you, Craig, for such a selfless act of kindness, it was crazy but in the very best way!

As for Murphy he remains curiouser and curiouser.

And we remain ever so grateful.

Connie Gorsky

Arlington Heights