When people welcome a brand new companion animal into their lives, especially one they have adopted or are fostering, it’s fairly common to assume that the relationship is one-sided: you are indeed saving them. After all, you are providing them with food, shelter, water, and (hopefully) some much-needed love and snuggles.
Every once in a while, however, these animals will become so in-sync with the family, especially if there are children in the home, and quickly take on the role of protector.
We’ve all seen cats spring into action to protect children and even using their fur to keep their little human siblings warm when it gets too cold. And just as Lassie the dog famously “communicated” with people to alert them of trouble brewing, some cats figure out ways to let their human guardians know when something has gone amiss.
Herbie, the black white and gray tabby cat in this story, for instance, was able to alert his foster guardian, Janine DeMartini, after noticing something off about the way her daughter, Isabella, was sleeping.
Herbie had been walking around his foster home when he clearly saw that Isabella’s blanket was tightly wound around her neck and covering her face. Somehow knowing that this could be a dangerous position for the two-year-old girl to be in, Herbie ran to Janine’s closed bedroom door and starting meowing his heart out.
Thankfully, the single mother who was just getting ready for bed had not yet fallen asleep and opened the door for Herbie.
The cat led the way to Isabella’s room and jumped into the little girl’s crib. At this point, Janine noticed the blanket and very quickly remedied the situation.
Had Herbie not been there to alert Janine of the situation, it’s very possible that Isabella would have been smothered in her sleep. It’s a miracle they had this watchful kitty there to save the day!
Janine admits that before the incident, she didn’t have any intentions of adopting Herbie permanently. However, after this fearless kitty demonstrated his loyalty to the family, the single mother knew she simply had to give the affectionate kitty a place to call home.
Janine is currently a social worker who has written papers about the wonderful benefits of animal-assisted therapy and now, we believe it’s safe to say, she’ll be advocating for keeping animals around the house in general, as well.
What an amazing kitty you are, Herbie!
