Joy for one hurricane survivor
Posted: Friday, September 9 at 08:20 am CT by Mike Brunker
NATCHEZ, Miss. -- It’s just one small miracle amid Hurricane Katrina’s awful devastation and heartbreak, but one certain to lift the spirits of many.
Bill Harris, who survived being trapped for three days in a condominium flooded by Hurricane Katrina, is alive and looking forward to being reunited with what almost certainly is his cat, Miss Kitty.
Bill Harris speaks to our team Monday. Soon after this photo was taken he was rushed to a hospital. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
I spoke with Harris by phone several hours ago as he lay in a Hattiesburg, Miss., hospital, where he is being treated for internal bleeding apparently related to his chronic kidney condition.
“I was shook,” Harris says, describing an earlier phone call when Red Cross workers told him that the cat he credits with saving his life during his hurricane ordeal had been found alive earlier in the day. “I just didn’t have any idea anyone would do that for me. … I’m kind of crying right now.”
And after hearing a description of the cat trapped by an animal control officer and an animal rescue volunteer in his ruined condominium in Slidell, La., Harris has no doubt that it’s Miss Kitty.
“She’s the only one in the whole neighborhood,” he says of the brown and gray cat.
Harris got another piece of fabulous news during the same phone call. His mother, Jane, is alive and well in a Slidell nursing home. Andrew and I visited the nursing home where she lives Thursday afternoon, when she told us that that the residents ended up staying put during the hurricane and had no problems.
“But that was some storm,” she told us, shaking her head.
And her son has some story to tell about how he survived Katrina’s powerful storm surge and ended up becoming an Internet celebrity.
Amid all the death and destruction wrought by Katrina, Harris’ story struck a chord with us and with readers of Katrinablog, generating a flood of e-mail offering prayers, suggestions on strategies for locating the cat and postings that matched her description.
And, yes, there were some wondering why we are making so much fuss about one man and his cat.
That’s not an easy question to answer. The best explanation I can come up with is that the dramatic story of their ordeal and the poignancy of Harris’ search for the cat he credits with saving his life by leading him to the chair that he stood on for three days in his flooded condominium somehow made him and Miss Kitty a symbol of hope amid all the despair left in Katrina’s wake.
Harris, who worked as a security guard for many years before suffering kidney failure as the result of heat stroke earlier this year, has been asking himself some of the same questions since his rescue. A devout Baptist, he can only figure that God has spared him so that he can fulfill his dream of becoming a minister.
“Maybe I’ll call it the ‘Wild Bill and Miss Kitty’ ministry,” he says, referring to his handle as a CB operator.
Harris hasn’t yet had a chance to read your postings on Katrinablog, but Red Cross volunteers are planning to drop off printouts, as well as photos of the cat we believe to be Miss Kitty, on Friday.
They will have to wait until Harris undergoes exploratory surgery to determine the source of the internal bleeding that led to his hospitalization.
A reunion between Harris and his "miracle cat" is still at least a few days away, he figures.
Reunion and relief
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Little Happy Stories ...there are so many millions of individual stories coming out of the brutal saga of Hurricane Katrina. Far too many of them are tragic, so bleakly, heart-rendingly sad that sometimes you just have to take a little while to turn away, find some other s...
Posted on Sep 9, 2005 11:10:32 AM at: RuminateThis
Reunion. I've decided to make this the go-to place for warm and fuzzy animal stories...Here's the latest on Bill Harris and Miss Kitty:
Posted on Sep 9, 2005 3:56:18 PM at: Brilliant at Breakfast
Bill-
You would make a great minister! You have already touched so many lives with your amazing story. Please keep getting strong. I am so glad to hear that your mother is well and that Miss Kitty has been found! I have been following your story for days and praying for you. Thank you for lifting people's spirits (and mine) in the midst of this terrible tragedy.
-Sarah, a fellow cat lover
Sarah, Grand Rapids Michigan (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:30:58 AM)
This story needs to be published in paperback.It shows that there is hope amid death and destruction.Harris is my new hero.
John Easter, Franklin, New hampshire (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:31:25 AM)
I hope you can post a picture of the Reunion!! At the very least I will look forward to hearing about it on the blog. I am so happy for both Bill and Miss Kitty. Thank you for the blog, I look forward to it every morning. The stories and the comments have been so interesting and at times heart breaking.
Donna, Charlotte NC (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:34:41 AM)
Finally, some good news. I sure hope that Bill and Miss Kitty get back together and that both are well. Thanks to your story I have sent a donation to the wonderful people at Noahs Wish and hope others will also.
Judi (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:36:12 AM)
I really hope that it is Miss Kitty. I have 3 cats and they are like my children. I know how it is not to have them around and how great it feels when you see them again. I give my thoughts and prayers to Bill for a speedy recovery and even speedier reunion with his beloved Miss Kitty. It's more than a miracle for them to be reunited. Good Luck to you Bill and Miss Kitty and of course your mother.
Laura P. (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:39:08 AM)
This is such a great ending.. when I first read the story about Bill and Miss Kitty I went home and hugged my cat close.. that they have found each other again is a wonderful side note to this very horrible disaster.. thanks for making my day...
Patty Agines, Bradenton, Florida (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:47:52 AM)
Thank you so much for making sure Mr. Harris got the news that Ms. Kitty is safe! And deepest heartfelt thanks to the workers from Noah's Wish - Donna and Horace - for their extraordinary efforts to save this very special cat. All of us following this story know that our pets aren't "just animals". They need us and we need them. That's why this effort is warranted. God bless you all!!!!
Robin, Birmingham, AL (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:49:18 AM)
Hooray, I hope the kitty is Miss Kitty. I have been watching the blog, crying and praying that Bill and Miss Kitty can be reunited. What a wonderful day that will be. :)
Bonnie, Earnest, gingercat, Miss Sofiia and psycho BOB, Richmond, VA (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:49:55 AM)
awesome story, thank you guys for your focus on the animals. can you please let people know that lsu vet school is conducting rescues of animals in the area that have been left behind? according to their website, residents who left pets in their homes may call toll-free (888) 773-6489 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm or e-mail katrinalostpet@ldaf.louisiana.gov to leave information about the number of animals that need rescuing, their species, and their confined location. please help get this information to evacuees who have left their pets! more information on their website, www.vetmed.lsu.edu, and their most urgent need is MONEY DONATIONS, which can be sent to The most urgent need is for monetary donations! To help, call toll-free (888) 773-6489 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm,
FAX (225) 237-5665, or e-mail katrina@ldaf.louisiana.gov!
kathy harrington (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:50:26 AM)
Thank God that Bill and Miss Kitty both survived. It is wonderful the way God moves us with his will and not ours.
Angela Cuddy, Festus, Missouri (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:52:30 AM)
Thank you thank you thank you for this story.
People who do not have pets cannot understand the bond between humans and pets, especially those people who do not have children. For most of these poor (in terms of wealth) people, pets are a comfort and an escape from the harsh realities of life.
For me, having pets gives me a reason to go home at night. I know someone is home waiting for me. It's the best feeling in the world.
My prayers are with Harris and Miss Kitty. They've survived this, they can survive anything.
Robin D.
Robin Delaney, Las Vegas NV (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:52:55 AM)
What a heart warming article this is. I pray that Harris and Kitty are reunited. To many people their pets are their children. Thank you for posting this story.
Marilyn Kucera, Clarkston, WA (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:53:09 AM)
this is a wonderful story! It just goes to show how wonderful, kind, caring, and united this wonderful country is. Thank you so much for what you all did to help this man.
Kellie Schones Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:54:19 AM)
THANKS BE TO GOD!
MY TEARS ARE ONE OF JOY THIS MORNING, NOT DESPAIR.
A BELOVED FRIEND WILL AGAIN BE REUNITED WITH HER MASTER. AND... HIS MOM WILL BE TOO!
AMEN!
EDWARD & DEBI LABONTE (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:54:24 AM)
Wow! What a great story. I know some people don't understand how we could have such feelings for our animal friends, but I know that "Miss Kitty" will help Bill get better soon. Of course, equally great news is that Bill's Mom is safe.
Dianne, Rochester, NY (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:54:39 AM)
I'll pray for Bill and Miss Kitty and hope they are reunited very soon - that will be good for both of them. Thank you for all you have done to reunite them.
Barbara Kessinger, Naperville, IL (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:55:03 AM)
Truly he would be a wonderful minister. His obvious faith, combined with his recent experiences, would and should give hope to any faltering belief in the blessings of God.
Suzanna, Lexington, GA (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:55:44 AM)
I am so happy that you all worked so hard to find Miss Kitty. It just goes to show that Americans still stick together.Hope Mr. Harris gets well soon.
Fran Platt (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:56:59 AM)
Hooray!!!!
sara, bluemont va (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:57:13 AM)
COULDN'T WAIT TO READ THE OUT COME OF YOUR SEARCH FOR MISS KITTY. I AM VERY HAPPY SHE WAS FOUND AND HOPE MR. HARRIS'S ILLNESS IS NOT LIFE THREATENING. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
LINDA FECTEAU (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:58:21 AM)
This is just wonderful news; our prayers have been answerered.
Jane (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:58:21 AM)
You've done such a service to this man, his mother and his cat. You and the folks at Noah's Wish are to be commended. Is it a lot of attention for one man and one cat - yes, but if we stand back and say we can't help everyone, so we'll help no one, then our society is in so much trouble. Keep up the good work, one person at a time, if necessary.
nicki (Sent Sep 9, 2005 8:58:22 AM)
THANK YOU for finding Miss Kitty!! Your story has provided hope in the midst of such tragedy. The animals in our lives are more than companions, they are our family. This is evident in Mr. Harris. My heart goes out to all of the animals left behind and the families that were forced to leave them. I pray they are safe and will be reunited with their loved ones. THANK YOU to all of the agencies working so hard to rescue the animals, you are true HEROES. I only hope our country realizes the need for pet-friendly shelters in the wake of such disasters. Mr. Harris, GET WELL SOON!!
Jen, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:02:18 AM)
I have been following your story of survival, followed by heartache, and now triumph, Bill and Miss Kitty. I am an animal lover in general and have struggled to hold back tears when I see all the abandoned pets (not abandoned by choice). My husband and I have a yellow Labrador Retreiver and we both agree that it would be impossible for us to leave Belle behind. I'm glad to hear that Miss Kitty is alive and well and pray that your reunion happens swiftly. You are also in our prayers for a speedy recovery from your ailments. God Bless You, Bill and Miss Kitty, as well as all the Katrina SURVIVORS!!
Linda L., Wisconsin (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:02:34 AM)
I am so very happy to hear the good news about Bill and "Miss Kitty." My heart broke for him as I read his story about having to leave his cat behind to save his own life. I have two cats myself and leaving them would be absolutely horrible. I know when push came to shove I would have to choose to save my life but it would be devastating. My thoughts and prayers go out to both Bill and "Miss Kitty."
Vickie Ray (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:04:04 AM)
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