Cats can be Heroes too!

a.k.a. Winnie the Wondercat

Cat saves family from poisonous fumes
Feline jumped on bed, meowed wildly until owner woke and called 911




Updated: 12:21 p.m. ET April 9, 2007

NEW CASTLE, Ind. - A cat helped spare a family from death by carbon monoxide poisoning by jumping on the bed and meowing wildly as fumes filled the home, the owners said.

Eric and Cathy Keesling said their 14-year-old cat, Winnie, played a crucial role in saving their lives March 24 after a gasoline-powered water pump in their basement caused the odorless but deadly gas to build up.

About 1 a.m., the domestic shorthair began nudging Cathy’s ear and meowing loudly.

“It was a crazy meow, almost like she was screaming,” said Cathy, who hesitated to get up until Winnie’s caterwauling and jumping persisted.

When she finally climbed from bed, she realized she was nauseous and dizzy and couldn’t awaken her husband. Because he had undergone minor neck surgery the previous day, she decided to call 911 but was so disoriented she had trouble dialing.

Paramedics found the couple’s 14-year-old son, Michael, unconscious on the floor near his bedroom. The Keeslings were taken from the home in oxygen masks, treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and soon recovered.

Cathy Keesling said Winnie acted similarly last summer when tornadoes tore through the area, 45 miles east of Indianapolis.

“I really believe cats can sense these kind of things,” she said.

Text of emails - timeline - and more

Email I just received from the president of my university:
TO: The UConn Community

FROM: Philip E. Austin

DATE: April 16, 2007

RE: Virginia Tech Tragedy


I know I speak for the entire University of Connecticut community in
expressing our shock and grief at the unspeakable tragedy at Virginia
Tech. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were the victims of
this violent, senseless act, their families and their friends.

The Undergraduate Student Government has asked that UConn observe a
moment of silence to tomorrow afternoon, April 17, at 2:00 p.m., the
same hour at which a public gathering is planned at Virginia Tech. I
endorse this recommendation and urge our faculty, students and staff to
participate.

VTech emailshere.

Text of E-Mails Sent by Virginia Tech
Monday April 16, 2007 11:31 PM
By The Associated Press

Timeline and text of e-mails sent out Monday by Virginia Tech to students and staff after the first 911 call at 7:15 a.m. reporting a shooting in West Ambler Johnston dormitory:

- e-mail sent at 9:26 a.m.:

Subject: Shooting on campus.

``A shooting incident occurred at West Amber Johnston earlier this morning. Police are on the scene and are investigating.

``The university community is urged to be cautious and are asked to contact Virginia Tech Police if you observe anything suspicious or with information on the case. Contact Virginia Tech Police at 231-6411

``Stay attuned to the www.vt.edu. We will post as soon as we have more information.''

- 9:15 a.m.: Approximate time of second shooting at Norris Hall.

- e-mail sent at 9:50 a.m.:

Subject: PLease stay put

``A gunman is loose on campus. Stay in buildings until further notice. Stay away from all windows''

- third e-mail sent at 10:17 a.m.:

Subject: All Classes Canceled; Stay where you are

``Virginia Tech has canceled all classes. Those on campus are asked to remain where there are, lock their doors and stay away from windows. Persons off campus are asked not to come to campus.''

- fourth e-mail sent at 10:53 a.m.:

Subject: Second Shooting Reported; Police have one gunman in custody

``In addition to an earlier shooting today in West Ambler Johnston, there has been a multiple shooting with multiple victims in Norris Hall.

``Police and EMS are on the scene.

``Police have one shooter in custody and as part of routine police procedure, they continue to search for a second shooter.

``All people in university buildings are required to stay inside until further notice.

``All entrances to campus are closed.''

^---

Source: Virginia Tech

partial text from news source:

Gunman, 32 Others Killed in Va. Shooting
Monday April 16, 2007 11:31 PM
By SUE LINDSEY
Associated Press Writer

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - A gunman opened fire in a Virginia Tech dorm and then, two hours later, shot up a classroom building across campus Monday, killing 32 people in the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history. The gunman committed suicide, bringing the death toll to 33.

Students bitterly complained that there were no public-address announcements on campus after the first burst of gunfire. Many said the first word they received from the university was an e-mail more than two hours into the rampage - around the time the gunman struck again.

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger said authorities believed that the shooting at the dorm was a domestic dispute and mistakenly thought the gunman had fled the campus.
( Read more... )

Latest news posted: has quotes from press coverage - interviews onsite with university president, emphasis added is mine.

Massacre in Virginia University - Breaking News

At least 33 people have been confirmed dead in an horrific massacre in a Virgina University. "This is so much worse than Columbine. We don't even know what to think of it."
by Editor-in-Chief on 2007-04-16
( Read more... )

"This is an emergency. This is an emergency. Take shelter indoors immediately. Stay away from windows and remain inside," loudspeakers blared across the 2,600-acre campus, which had been closed off.

A student journalist's video of the chaos at Virginia Tech, a state university, was replayed repeatedly on U.S. television networks.

It showed people scurrying around the campus and more than two dozen shots ringing out.
( Read more... )

And finally:
State of Emergency Declared in Virginia
Last Edited: Monday, 16 Apr 2007, 6:18 PM EDT
Created: Monday, 16 Apr 2007, 6:18 PM EDT

Richmond, VA -- Governor Tim Kaine has declared a state of emergency in Virginia in the wake of the shooting rampage at Virginia Tech.

The declaration allows the governor to immediately deploy state personnel, equipment and other resources to help out in the aftermath of a tragedy.
( Read more... )