The day started out as a simple adventure for a Louisiana family, but it quickly turned into an amazing rescue story that completely warmed my heart. I just had to share it with you, because I know it’ll bring a smile to your face too.
John and Heather Ford took a trip to Austin with their three-year-old daughter, Olivia. They’d rented a canoe to paddle along the Colorado River, enjoying one final adventure before heading back home to Louisiana.
It was supposed to be a laid-back family outing, but they had no idea they were about to cross paths with a tiny life in desperate need of saving.
As they drifted under the Mopac Bridge, Heather noticed something that didn’t seem right. Before she could even register it, a black-and-white cat plunged from the bridge straight into the river below!
The family froze, watching in shock as the cat splashed into the water, struggling to stay afloat. Her fur was soaked, and her little paws paddled frantically against the current.
For a moment, it felt like the world had stopped spinning, and all they could do was focus on that helpless creature. Heather later shared her feelings in an interview:
“My heart dropped when I saw her jump.”
Without a second thought, the Fords quickly paddled toward the cat, scooping her up onto one of their boards. That’s when John took over, gently transferring the shivering feline onto their canoe.
Once safely on shore, the Fords took her to the vet for a thorough checkup before bringing her to the Austin Animal Center. Despite everything she had just gone through, she was okay, aside from some scratched and bloody paws.
But it turned out that she’d burned them racing across the hot asphalt before she fell. It was soon revealed that she was around two years old, and it was clear she’d been frightened and disoriented on that bridge.
The story quickly captured hearts online and everyone nicknamed her ‘Mermaid Kitty’. Updates on her recovery flooded in showing her lounging happily at the shelter, described as ‘fabulous’ by her caregivers.
Volunteers were so inspired by her tale that they considered naming her Nimue, after the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend.
It just seemed perfect for a cat who had launched herself into the water like a heroine from a fairytale.
Meanwhile, a man named Andy, another witness who saw the kitty right before the dramatic fall, came forward to share his experience.
When Andy saw her on the bridge, he turned around and retraced his route, hoping to find her, but by the time he returned, the Fords had already rescued her. When he found out the cat was safe, he called it “absolutely the best news.”
Andy vividly described the scene, sharing:
“I slammed on my brakes, thankfully the traffic behind me stopped. She got her feet under her and sprinted to the side of the bridge, and jumped. She absolutely launched!!! If it was a movie, it would be too unbelievable.”
The Fords hoped to adopt Mermaid Kitty if her owner didn’t come forward. Olivia had already fallen in love with her new furry friend.
However, fate had other plans. With the Fords living seven hours away, they couldn’t reserve the cat due to the shelter’s first-come, first-served policy. By the time they could return, someone else had adopted Mermaid Kitty.
Though disappointed, the family took comfort in knowing she was safe and loved. As one commenter sweetly put it:
“I’m sorry somebody else beat you to it. But she would never have found her forever home without you, and thanks to you, she can live a happy life and bring years of happiness to someone else. Thank you for rescuing her!”
It’s incredible how the kindness of strangers can truly make a difference in the life of a furry friend in need. The Fords’ quick actions, paired with the support of others who helped along the way, show just how powerful compassion can be.
It’s these small, selfless acts that give me hope for humanity and remind me that we all have the ability to make a difference when we choose to care.
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