It was early morning when a woman named Dawn noticed something unsettling by the icy shores of Nabnasset Lake in Westford, Massachusetts.
A small figure was struggling to stay afloat, drifting helplessly on a piece of ice. It was a cat, bobbing in the frigid water about 30-40 feet from shore, as Westford Animal Control later explained in a Facebook post:
“There was a cat floating on a piece of ice in the middle of Nabnasset Lake. The cat was reported to be approximately 30-40 feet from shore off of Fletcher Lane and was circling the small piece of ice below him.”
His tiny body trembled against the cold, which made it even harder to keep afloat.
The poor creature was clearly in a desperate situation. The ice was breaking apart, inch by inch, and every crack seemed like a ticking clock counting down.
Every second felt like it was pulling the helpless cat closer to a tragic end. The frigid water was rising steadily, leaving only the cat’s tiny head visible above the surface, as the animal control shared:
“While in route to the location, the reporting party stated that she could hear the ice cracking beneath him. The cat was now submerged in the water with only his head showing.”
Thankfully, the passerby immediately called the Westford Police, who rushed to the scene.
But before the officers could even arrive, two remarkable people, Chris And Nate, saw the cat’s plight and instantly jumped into action.
They worked together like a team, determined to save the life of this fragile soul. Kris guided Nate, who bravely navigated the icy waters in a rowboat, as the animal control explained:
“Nate hopped into a nearby rowboat and Kris pushed the boat out as far as he could helping Nate navigate from shore. Nate was able to utilize a shovel as he moved, breaking through the ice.”
With the ice cracking and the cat’s chances fading, Nate reached him just in time, pulling him out of the cold water.
By the time animal control arrived, the cat was in terrible shape. His body temperature had plummeted to dangerous levels, and he was unresponsive and lost in shock, as Westford Animal Control explained:
“Upon our arrival, this neutered male was shivering, lethargic, and in shock. We immediately transported the cat for veterinary care where his temperature was so low that it didn’t even register on the thermometer.”
Fortunately, the cat’s spirit shone through. Despite everything, he was still fighting.
As it turned out, the cat wasn’t a stray. He was actually named Tiki and had a family who’d been anxiously searching for him. They saw the rescue post online and recognized him immediately.
What made the discovery even more heartbreaking was the realization that Tiki wasn’t only old but also blind!
Everyone was shocked, wondering how he managed to survive such a terrifying ordeal. Animal control shared:
“A resident from Birch Rd reached out stating they thought this may be their cat Tiki who had gotten out last night or early this morning. They were able to positively identify him and then informed us that Tiki is not only 20 YEARS OLD but is also BLIND!!”
The police suspected that he had somehow gotten out of the house in the night, possibly chasing something or being frightened onto the ice.
Miraculously, Tiki is now home, recovering with his family, who are beyond relieved. This rescue was truly a team effort, fueled by the compassion and bravery of Dawn, Kris, Nate, the Westford Police, and Animal Control.
Together, they gave Tiki a second chance at life. It’s such a great reminder of how kindness and teamwork can make all the difference for those who need help the most.
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