by Nathan Frederick
Good News Network
Two cat tales today, one of fire, one of water.
A mechanical issue started a fire in a Utah apartment building recently that sent the entire five-story structure ablaze in a matter of minutes.
Residents in the Salt Lake City suburb—and their pets—were evacuated from the building in the immediate aftermath—but Toast the cat was nowhere to be found.
The black and gray cat named Toast Malone had scurried behind a washing machine amid the mounting flames and his owners had to flee the apartment without him.
The blaze reportedly raged-on for 60 hours before firefighters fully extinguished it.
The cat’s nine lives, so it was thought, had run out, too.
The Salt Lake County Animal Services put out a social media post to help search for Toast. More time passed, and before long, hope became “harder to hold on to.”
But then, more than 72 hours after the fire began, rescuers found something in a closet.
The structure was one of the few spaces that survived the blaze. Smoke would have engulfed it. More than a hundred thousand gallons of water were sprayed around it.
And yet, Toast was alive inside.
“Toast the cat was safely reunited with a very grateful owner, and aside from being wet, cold and a little scared, was otherwise healthy,” wrote the United Fire Authority department on Facebook.
Toast’s story was certainly the most dramatic rescue from the apartment fire, but emergency personnel played a major role in making sure many other pets of the approximately 200 residents remained safe and secure throughout the ordeal.
“Toast’s story is also an opportunity to recognize the incredible work of our Animal Services Officers,” Salt Lake County Animal Services wrote on Instagram.
“For the past four days, they have worked side by side with firefighters, helping rescue animals, reunite families, provide temporary care for displaced pets, and stand ready whenever it was safe to enter.”
The Instagram post, which also features a video of Toast’s reunion, has received more than 30,000 likes, with many commenters calling it a modern miracle.
Only Toast knows how he survived as the fire raged around him, but his rescue is a powerful reminder to never give up.
“I never lost hope that my baby was still alive,” Toast’s owner Madison Stott wrote on Instagram. “Thank you so much for bringing him back to us!”
From there we move to a second cat survival story, allegedly of the world’s oldest living cat.
An Englishman says he lives with the world’s oldest cat—a tortoiseshell born in 1995, making her 31 years-old.
The cat, named Millie was first owned by Leslie Greenhough’s late wife, who took her in as a 3-month-old kitten.
Leslie told SWNS news agency that Millie’s long lifespan is a result of giving her only natural mineral water for the past decade—alongside “lots of treats” and “cuddles on the sofa.”
The family from Greater Manchester celebrated her birthday earlier this year, treating her to a bowl full of chicken.
“I am very proud she has made it to 31,” said the 71-year-old owner. “She is a real trooper.”
But to certify Millie as the world’s oldest cat, The Guinness Book of World Records needs more proof.
Leslie says his ‘life ambition’ is to get her in the book, but sadly he can’t prove her age.
“Unfortunately, the only person who can do that is my late wife.” And the only item of proof he has is an image taken in 1995 of Millie eating out of a food bowl his wife took.
Here’s how spring water became Millie’s drink of choice.
“Near to our house, work was being done to the water pipes, and because I am old and classified as a vulnerable person—so they began dropping off Buxton bottled water at my doorstep, which I also gave to Millie.
“When I turned my taps back on afterwards, dirty water came out, so I chose to stick with the Buxton, which I have stuck with ever since.
“She only drinks Buxton water—and has a daily diet of salmon, prawns, chicken and tuna.”
“Millie is around 146—in human years. I think that says it all really. Imagine being 146 years-old—I can’t.”
“She’s developed a cautious attitude; she’s very shy. I think that’s helped her live longer.”
Millie’s personality has also mellowed with her age, becoming more “relaxed” and “chilled out” around the house.
“My wife would be amazed with how well she is doing.”
She’s needed extra care lately, however, due to the heatwave engulfing the UK. Millie now has two fans blowing on her, at all times, and ice cubes in her water bowl to keep her cool.
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