Smudge the Feline Hero

Smudge is a small Scottish feline. She is a mixture black-gray as though she has been sliding down fireplace chimneys.

This story of Smudge's accomplishment grabs my heart. Smudge customarily meows at the back door when she wants out. But on this

occasion when the door was opened for her Smudge did not run out into the yard but lingered in the doorway and meowed and kept looking up at her human companion.

Finally the slow witted human companion's light bulb fired and realized that Smudge wanted him to follow her.

Smudge ran promptly next door, pausing at intervals and looking back to be sure her human companion remained walking behind her.

As they reached the elderly neighbor's home, smoke was rolling out of the roof vents. Smudge's human companion found the elderly neighbor woman collapsed on the floor - overcome by smoke inhalation from the fire that began at her kitchen stove.

Smudge's human companion carried the unconscious woman outside and called for help on his cell phone.

Smudge licked the neighbor's face until she opened her eyes and coughed. The first face she saw was Smudge's who stood close by her

head and was looking down at her.

Smudge and the woman she saved had become close friends as Smudge hunted mice in the two adjacent backyards. Unknown to Smudge's human companion, Smudge was often invited into the neighbor's home for cat treats that she purchased especially for her.

But, Smudge's senses are so keen that she knew something was wrong next door while inside her own home.

Smudge, the hero feline!!!

Ron, submitted 5/13/06