A hitch in the Miss Kitty saga
Posted: Thursday, September 22 at 03:38 pm CT by Mike Brunker
Many readers of Katrinablog have posted in the last two weeks wondering what has become of Bill Harris and Miss Kitty, the “miracle cat” that he credits with helping to save his life. Unfortunately, the answer is that a long-term reunion between owner and pet appears to be at least several months off.
Harris was transferred on Wednesday from the hospital in Hattiesburg, Miss., where he had been recovering from the trauma of Hurricane Katrina, to the Trinity Neurologic Rehabilitation Center in his hometown of Slidell, La.
That meant one happy reunion for Harris –- with his elderly mother, Jane.
“When I told her my story, she just said, ‘That was some storm,’” Harris says of his mom’s reaction to his amazing tale. “She’s a former English teacher, but she’s not much for words.” (Click here to read Harris’ gripping account of how he survived the storm.)
But the move to Slidell threw a new obstacle in the way of Harris reuniting with Miss Kitty: The nursing home doesn’t accept pets.
“We have ventilator and critically ill patients, so, no, we don’t have animals living in the facility,” Trinity administrator Sheri Foret explains when I phone to ask about the policy.
Miss Kitty. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com file)
That means Miss Kitty must remain in temporary quarters at the animal rescue center run by Noah’s Wish only about a mile from the nursing home for the time being. And depending on how long Harris ends up staying at the nursing home while he recovers from kidney damage suffered during his three-day ordeal after Katrina struck, it may force the organization to seek a temporary foster care for the cat.
“I don’t know if I’ll be here two months, six months or a year,” Harris says. “I think this is the best place for me right now.”
He isn’t wild about the idea of another person or family caring for his cat until he can get back on his feet, but he realizes that Noah’s Wish can’t keep Miss Kitty indefinitely.
“I don’t want just anybody to have her,” he says. “I’d want to make sure that she was going to someone who would take good care of her.”
While he tries to work out a long-term solution with Noah’s Wish, Harris is hoping he can arrange a brief visit to the nursing home so he can share his story –- and the cat he loves -– with his new roommates.
“I’m hoping we could at least bring her over to the courtyard,” he says. “They’d all love her.”
For many, a double-whammy
TRACKBACKS
Thank you for the update on Mr. Harris and his family.
I will continue to pray that he and Miss Kitty can somehow be reunited sooner rather then later. That is great that he was able to see his mother. I am sure Noah's Wish will do their best to see that Miss Kitty receives the best care possible.
Jane San Francisco (Sent Sep 22, 2005 3:52:15 PM)
Contined thoughts and prayers go out to Bill Harris and Miss Kitty. I hope he is able to find just the right family to watch over Miss Kitty while he continues on his way to recovery. This has been the most heartwarming story to read. Thank you so much for the update.
Nancy Davis, Hilliard, OH (Sent Sep 22, 2005 3:57:27 PM)
I think a good, quiet one on one environment in a private home temporarily is the best thing for Miss Kitty. An animal shelter is a busy, noisy place. Mr. Bill is probably going to have to trust someone to do this for him. Maybe Noah's Wish can screen people to foster her until Mr. Bill can get situated again. Perhaps in the meantime, he can visit her since he is so close to her.
I have an elderly Siamese that was sent to me by air from my sister from Dallas to San Bernardino. She was moving to a place that didn't accept pets plue my sister goes to a remote town in the Southwest every year and didn't want to drive her back and forth. This cat was sent out by air at the age of 15.
I believe that God got them all through this far, he can put the finishing touches on this situation.
Beth, California (Sent Sep 22, 2005 3:59:56 PM)
I wish I was closer to Bill & Miss Kitty. I would take in Miss Kitty and also take her to visit Bill on a regular basis. I am a cat lover and firmly believe that she can help in his speedy recovery.
Susan Baxter, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:00:59 PM)
I have a cat whose name is Miss Kitty, too. If he loves his Miss Kitty half as much as I love mine, that poor guy is really suffering from the separation. For the life of me, I can't understand why medical facilities, like the home he is in, don't appreciate the powerful healing quality of pets and make some kind of arrangements for their owners to have access to them while they recuperate. Get creative and do something that will vastly improve the rate of recovery of this man, (and any other patients you have that are separated from their pets becasue of your cruel policy) Sheri Foret!
Arlene Boles (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:02:50 PM)
I just read today where legislation may be introduced to be sure pets are included in evacuation plans. I know of a number of nursing homes that have resident cats or dogs in this area; it wouldn't kill that nursing home to bend the rules a little bit, IMHO
Rita (yes, it really is!), Lock Haven, PA (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:03:01 PM)
There has to be a solution that allows Miss Kitty to be close to Mr Harris's care facility so they can at least see each other on a regular basis.
Jane Edina (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:06:11 PM)
I will pray for Miss Kitty to find a good foster home. If I was closer I'd adopt her for Bill until he's feeling better. I agree nursing homes should be more flexible regarding pets, they are the best medicine! I'd like to make a donation to Noah's Wish. I will look for their phone number or website.
Vicki, Long Beach, CA
Vicki Arreguin (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:11:34 PM)
Ohhhhhhhhh, let the poor man at least see Miss Kitty.
I have a 17 yr old Miss Kitty and I can't imagine
how he must feel. I cried when I read this and everyone in the office now knows of the story. Please please please ask the facility he is staying in to at least let them visit and give kisses.
dale, st. louis (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:16:54 PM)
If I lived closer I would foster Miss Kitty until she could be reunited. Rest peacefully knowing that at least she survived. Many were not so lucky. My prayers are with you.
Deborah Lohrmann, Baltimore MD (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:32:14 PM)
Thanks for the update on Miss Kitty. I have thought about her and her owner since I first read the story. I'm glad to hear they are both ok and hope they are reunited soon.
Linda, Canyon Lake Texas (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:32:55 PM)
Under most circumstances, a 17-year-old cat would be the LAST pet anyone would be willing to take care of...but I suspect that there will be people lining up to take care of Miss Kitty while Mr. Harris recuperates. I wish I could, but I'm in NJ and my DH
I understand the reasons why the facility he's in can't allow pets, but some nursing facilities DO have pets living in, and find it helps people recover. Is there any chance of getting him transferred to a facility that will allow him to be with Miss Kitty, given what they both have been through and her age?
Jill C. (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:35:13 PM)
I was heartbrokern to watch the rescuers say to the people they were rescuing that they would not be able to take their pets. I cried when they rowed a man away from his house and his dog was just left there on the roof to what? If it was me in that situation, I would not be able to leave my animals. They mean to much to me and faced with that decision, I would say no to the rescue. I would face the end with my animals. I could never abandon my animals to whatever fate the storm would have for them. They are part of my family. If I abandoned them it would pray on me for the rest of my life. To think that there were no provisions in place for the people, let alone the animals that are a part of most households astonishes me. I agree with Rita that it wouldn't kill the nursing home to bend the rules in light of the magnitude of the storm. That would be the right thing to do and I really doubt it would compromise the nursing home facility. In fact, having the animals present would help the healing.
Elice Koehne, Portland, OR (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:35:49 PM)
I wish I lived there. I love cats and rescue them and I would love her to pieces. She looks like my Sammer who passed away a few months ago. Those beautiful eyes. I feel bad. I wonder what she is thinking. I hope Bill can visit his Miss Kitty often. Seeing his baby will help in the healing process.
Darleen Piechura, Wauwatosa, WI (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:46:05 PM)
Hugs and kisses to Miss Kitty. Hang in there you will be with your person soon.xxxxooooo You can come to my house in Milwaukee Miss Kitty.
Darleen Piechura Milwaukee, WI (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:49:40 PM)
To Mr.Bill and Miss Kitty,
God bless you and keep you both. Your time together will come sooner than you think. God always takes care of us in our darkest hours. I have 2 cats, Maha and Elsa, who look much like Miss K. They are praying for you both! Take good care,
Elizabeth Larson (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:50:26 PM)
It might not kill the nursing home to bend the rules, but it just might kill a patient. Miss Kitty is a beautiful medium haired cat, and cats do shed. All it would take would be for one cat hair to get into the airway of a person with a weakened immune system (or the ventilator of a person with severe cat allergies) and that patient could die. Yes, there are nursing homes with wards that allow pets (which is a wonderful thing, IMO) but unfortunately this is not one of them. Miss Kitty and her owner are alive, and she is in good hands, and he is able to see his mother, which is a lot more than a lot of other people from New Orleans have. Thankfully, they both made it through the catastrophe and each is in a safe place now.
Glynis, Williamsport, MD (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:59:04 PM)
As much as I love Miss Kitty too, I am severely allergic to cats. Even one hour in a house with a cat is enough to send me to his hospital. So, I can understand why some nursing homes wouldn't allow pets because it could cause health problems for some of the residents.
Jen, Santa Monica, CA (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:59:40 PM)
I too know of many nursing homes that keep a couple of pets outside in the inner court yard. I am sure that it could be arranged. We (Mr. Bill and Miss Kitty new friends) could possibly barage the nursing home for pleas to make arrangements so that Mr. Bill and the other patients can enjoy this special kitty-cat. It wouldn't have to be expensive. If they have an inner court yard as a lot of nursing homes do it could be relatively simple. IE: a eating place I know has several cats outside that they feed. The took a plastic box turned it upside down and cut a hole in it so that they could get out of the weather. In bad weather they could put in a special room with a litter box. Please send this to the nursing home so that Miss Kitty can share her special love with everyone. Aren't their studies that animals to help elderly patients. They need to see those to. With Miss Kitty's help she may just save someone else. Wouldn't that be wonderful.
Karen (Sent Sep 22, 2005 5:02:19 PM)
Because Bill's kidney problems are due directly to the lack of response during hurricane Kaatrina, it would seem that he would have a legal claim against the city, state or FEMA or all three. A little financial help might put him in a position to have Miss Kitty and the care he deserves. Is there an attorney out there who could advise Bill?
Judy - Plano, TX (Sent Sep 22, 2005 5:12:07 PM)
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this update. Hopefully a courtyard visit with his Miss Kitty would do a world of good for him emotionally, as well as his new "roomies".
Anybody going to "foster" Miss Kitty for Bill while he recuperates best look after that Kitty as though it was their own child. I hope that whomever "fosters" her will not be living anywhere near the hurricane zone or tornado alley though, as she has been through enough. Give her LOTS of love and call Bill often, and let Miss Kitty at least hear his voice on the phone if unable to make visits, and of course pictures do wonders. I know this may sound absolutely silly, but when my husband and I went away for over two weeks awhile back, we called and had a friend hold the phone so that our kitty could hear, and he just stared at the phone, looked at our friend and said, "Meow", whatever that means but seemed he knew our voices. Again, may be silly but at least Bill and Miss Kitty can hear each other. Remember, this Miss Kitty is a hero not only for this man, how she woke him and then comforted him for three days as he stood on that chair with nothing but undrinkable water around him, not knowing how long he was going to be there, no sound and no comfort aside from Miss Kitty to be held by him. She survived, as did Bill, so please, whoever looks after Miss Kitty, as we have said treat her as though she your own family, thank you. Mike, thank you for the update here. God Bless you and everyone, be safe.
Valerie, San Diego, California (Sent Sep 22, 2005 5:15:31 PM)
I would be willing to accept Miss Kitty until he got better. I can make videos of her and send them to him so he can see how loved she is. I would insist on exchanging his shirts so she can keep his scent nearby.
michele, Tempe AZ (Sent Sep 22, 2005 5:26:55 PM)
most of the rescued pets were taken to the vet.college auditorium in baton rouge. from there they are being sent all over the country to the Human societies that will care for them till, hopefully, they can be reunited with their owners. please contribute to your local humane society if they are participating in the resucue./care program. i hope someone near bill will take care of miss kitty.
cheryl, glenwood iowa (Sent Sep 22, 2005 5:29:02 PM)
I agree with many of these posts. The nursing home must re-consider and make effort to create a place for pets. Especially in these extremely special circumstances. Whatever I can do to help, please let me know.
I have tears flowing, this is just heart-breaking.
Miss Kitty and Bill must be reunited.
Operation Kitty and Bill Reunited? :)
How about a special service that does only this, reunites pets and owners that were vicitims of Katrina.
Cecelia Fresh, Longmont, Colorado (Sent Sep 22, 2005 5:45:16 PM)
I am glad about Miss Kitty but haven't heard about what the outcome was for Snowball. He was the dog left outside the bus after is owner, a little boy, had vomited after learning he couldn't bring Snowball on the bus. I had read they found Snowball in a shelter but never heard if they had been reunited. Anybody read in updates on this story and, hopefully, good news?
Yvette, Long Beach CA (Sent Sep 22, 2005 5:55:43 PM)
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