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
Why not help Bill and Miss Kitty?? I once had someone snarl at me that instead of helping stray animals, I ought to be spending my time and money on people. I asked him, "What are you doing to help others?" He had no response, since he was helping no one. Miss Kitty's little life has at least as much value as any such complainer, so thank you for continuing to do critter blogs. :-)
L. Anderson (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:06:08 AM)
THIS IS A TRULY WONDERFUL STORY AND I'M GLAD SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN INTEREST AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, ACTION IN BILL AND MISS KITTY'S STORY. TO ANSWER PEOPLE WHO WONDER WHY YOU WOULD MAKE SUCH A BIG DEAL OUT OF THEIR STORY, I SAY IT IS BECAUSE THEY CAN TEACH US SO MUCH-HOW FAITH, HOPE, AND PERSERVERENCE ARE ESSENTIAL IN LIFE, HOW AMAZINGLY IMPORTANT PETS (OR ANY ANIMALS) CAN BE IN OUR LIVES, AND HOW VERY DANGEROUS HEAT STROKE CAN BE AS SEEN IN BILL'S HEALTH ISSUES, ONES THAT I THINK MOST PEOPLE NEVER WOULD HAVE RELATED TO HEAT STROKE. GOD BLESS BILL, MISS KITTY, AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED THEM. YOU ARE ALL INSPIRATIONS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
lauri frank, pensacola, florida (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:06:18 AM)
When i read this story, i am moved to tears. that people would go and find this mans beloved cat Miss Kitty. It shows me that people out there really do care, animals our members of our families. I will pray for this man that he gets better soon and can be reunited with his much loved cat who in fact i believe saved his life. blessing to those of you who rescued Miss Kitty, and blessing to Mr Harris who will soon see his kitty.
Shelli P. Greensboro, NC (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:07:27 AM)
Thank God! I'm supposed to be working and all I've done is read about Miss Kitty and Bill this morning. They symbolize all the pet owners and pets who should be reunited when all they have left now is each other. I pray that Bill and Miss Kitty meet again soon and more heart warming stories like this help ease the pain of the loss in so much devastation.
Rita Michalski, Lock Haven, PA (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:07:45 AM)
Thank you for keeping us updated on this story of miracles. Blessings to Bill, Miss Kitty and Mrs Jane Harris. And thank you to all those working so hard to save animals on the Gulf Goast.
Shelagh, Montville, Maine (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:08:01 AM)
i have been following this story for a few days and could not be any happier reading this!!!! my heart goes out to bill, miss kitty and all of the survivors...you're all in my thoughts and prayers!
cristina, baltimore, md (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:08:20 AM)
I have cats too, one of which is seventeen years old. It's surprising how the seventeen year old cat interacts with us with a great understanding of life. She is named lady. When we are sick she jumps into bed and curls up next to whomever is ill. When we go to bed she is the only one that sleeps with us. Weather it's a cat or dog living in the house it can easily become a member of your family like a young child. I understand the need to reunite Miss Kitty with Bill. And I'm happy to here both have been been located. GOOD LUCK getting them back together. On the Law HIPA in the wake of Katrina I wish the law could be bent some to resolve this and other events that may happen.
Steve L. Chattanooga, TN (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:08:44 AM)
What an absolutely wonderful thing! I am so happy that Miss Kitty was found and a reunion is in the works! Please let us know how Mr. Harris' operation turns out and how the operation goes. Three cheers for everyone involved in this story!
Kate Lund, Carpentersville, Illinois (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:09:28 AM)
Thank you for rescuing Miss Kitty and her beloved friend Mr. Harris. This was such a heart wrenching story.
There is a special place in heaven for people like you and others who are reaching out to Katrina victims. I live a thousand miles from the gulf coast yet feel a brotherhood with the victims simply because I am a fellow american with a heart.
Keep up the good work guys!! and God Bless...
Lisa Doyle, Westover, Maryland (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:10:06 AM)
THANK YOU GOD! PRAYER WORKS
You guys are heroes and I will never forget this story as long as I live. Thank you for saving BOTH their lives. It's a rare thing to be able to give someone a gift of this magnitude. God bless. Laura in SC
Laura Bagwell, Spartanburg, SC (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:11:54 AM)
This story brought a tear to my eye.
Rick Olson , Mpls Mn (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:12:21 AM)
I was working in Convent, LA until a week before Katrina hit Louisiana. I have followed Bill and Miss Kitty's story. My prayers for Bill and Miss Kitty in this horrible time have been answered. To the journalists and the citizens helping Bill, you walk the path of brotherly love. I want to say "Thank You" to everyone who helped.
Cindy Moore, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:13:17 AM)
Congratualtions to Mr. Harris and Miss Kitty. I wish you many years of happiness together.
E. Cannon (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:14:59 AM)
I am so happy he found his cat. I have a dog who is not a dog to me. She is my companion, best friend and child rolled in to one. She always stands ready to protect me and loves me without condition. I could never leave her and I can understand why so many people would choose to stay with their pet rather than leave them behind. I have a daughter and two grandchildren but for some that pet is all they have for love, warmth and comfort, so if I wouldn't leave mine behind I wouldn't expect them to do it either.
Sandy Inks, Tallahasssee, Florida (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:17:38 AM)
Bill & Miss Kitty's story along with the efforts of the rescue workers to locate the cat give me a feeling of hope for all of us, for mankind. After volunteering in Austin for a couple of days I know there are good people in this world. Bless you all!
Micki Liebman (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:18:42 AM)
What a delightful "serial-story" to know that Bill and Miss Kitty both made it through and soon to be together. There are reasons things like this work out and are published as it heightens our awareness and responsibilities to those people and pets that each one of us hold dear. To combine this with a sense of survival and hope for those still looking for that certain someone - be it human or animal! You have lifted a lot of spirits, given emphasis to the importance to rescue all living things and a job well done.
Jack Raburn, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:22:52 AM)
YEAH!!!!!!!!! I am so glad you found Bill! I hope his surgery goes well and he can be reunited with Miss Kitty soon.
Margie Bryant, Little Rock, AR (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:22:54 AM)
God does answer prayers! I will continue to pray for "Wild Bill" and "Miss Kitty" and yes Mom too! I was really getting depressed to tears with all the death, destruction, and now the angry accusations and angry words being tossed about. Pets are God's furry, feathered, scaled angels that are sent to watch over us and love us even when no one else will. That is why they are so important to us who have them in our lives, my wife and I have cats and dogs, I couldnt imagine life with out them. God's blessings on all who helped in this whether it was on the ground in LA or saying a prayer at your keyboard. Oh, yeah; any one who uses HIPA as a reason to cover their hinders and not give information when it can save a life... (might get sued yah know) you are all HIPAcrites!
Rich Kerr, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:23:39 AM)
God bless Bill Harris, Miss Kitty and all of those involved in their story! Amidst a tragedy such as this, it is the little triumphs that give us hope. I pray that Mr. Harris will recover, and that Miss Kitty will be by his side again very soon!
Emily, Madison, AL (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:24:08 AM)
This impending happy ending warms my heart ... the stories of other pets forced to stay behind and perish makes me so very sad... best of everything from now on to Bill Harris and his precious Miss Kitty
Debbie Schweinberg, Knoxville, TN (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:24:27 AM)
I am so glad that something good has come out of this story. It makes my heart a little lighter to read something positive out of all the misery that has gone on down there. God Bless Bill Harris and Miss Kitty.
Ann, Michigan (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:25:32 AM)
I'm so glad with this almost happy ending. I hope Miss Kitty is his, but I think most of us know in our hearts it is. I think this story wamred us all and brought us a little light in this time of shadow. With all the problems going, Bill and Miss Kitty do show hope. Hope in a better tomorrow and hope that we can be around the ones we love after this is over.
Starr Reedy, Tampa, Florida (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:26:09 AM)
That is so awesome. I went home and checked the blog last night to look for an update. I can relax now knowing a reunion is coming. I'm not sure why we all care so much, but I feel like maybe things will be okay, not only for Mr. Harris but for others, too. Thanks to the volunteers who got Miss Kitty and gave others hope, too.
Cynthia Molina, Round Rock, Texas (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:26:12 AM)
A story about someone who can find some sense of peace and joy amidst this unthinkable tragedy is welcome and necessary, even if you don't believe that this man's cat saved his life. I for one, prefer to believe that Miss Kitty did lead Mr. Harris to a place of safety until he was rescued.
Kathie Dewar Harrow, Ontario Canada (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:26:55 AM)
Oh thank GOD! Just knowing that his Miss Kitty is alive and well should help in his emotional and physical recovery (in spite of the kidney issue which hopefully will get taken care of). Thank you for keeping us "bloggers" up to date, and again, give Mr. Bill a BIG HUG for my family and I, thank you!
Mrs. Harlow
Mrs. Harlow, San Diego, California (Sent Sep 9, 2005 9:27:39 AM)
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