The amazing story of Bill Harris of Slidell, La.
Posted: Monday, September 5 at 09:10 pm CT by Mike Brunker
EVANS CREEK, La. -- We’ve heard some amazing stories from hurricane survivors during our wanderings, but the tale told by Bill Harris of Slidell, La., is the most gripping yet.
AUDIO: Listen to Harris describe getting hit by a 30-foot storm surge, and how Miss Kitty helped save his life. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
Harris, 63, who suffers from a chronic kidney disorder, said he went to sleep Sunday night in the condominium he shares with his cat, Miss Kitty, which was approximately a mile from Lake Pontchartrain alongside a canal. When he awoke, the gray and brown cat was on top of the China cabinet meowing piteously.
Harris found out why when he sat up to get out of bed.
“There was no floor there,” he says of the bizarre sight that greeted him as his bed floated in six feet of water toward a newly broken bay window in his bedroom.
Harris fell off the bed and remembers praying each of the four times he went under, fighting to avoid being pulled out the window by the roiling current. The fourth time, though, he saw Miss Kitty hurl herself across the room to a table that was still above water and struggled to follow her. He wasn’t able to climb onto the table, but he found a chair that had miraculously stayed upright nearby and managed to stand on it, soon to be joined by Miss Kitty.
Harris says he tried to get out, but found his front door blocked by a 30-foot fishing boat that had been deposited on his porch. So with no other way out, he spent the better part of three days standing on the chair and clutching Miss Kitty to his chest.
A boater eventually heard Harris’ shouts and a second boat soon arrived to pull him to safety out the window. Despite his pleas, though, the rescuers were not willing to re-enter the condo to grab Miss Kitty.
Harris remains disconsolate over the loss of the cat he calls his “guardian angel,” though he is still holding out hope of a reunion. And he is very worried about his mother, Jane B. Harris, who he believes was moved out of the Trinity Nursing Home before the flood for parts unknown.
A lifelong citizen’s band radio buff known by the handle “Wild Bill,” Harris also is grieving the loss of his old faithful radio and is hoping all the friends he made over the airwaves can pitch in with a spare to help him through this very tough time.
Recharging in Gulf Shores, Ala.
TRACKBACKS
Bill:
May the Good Lord wrap His benevolent arms around you, your dear Mother, and your best friend, Miss Kitty. I wish that I could be there for you...we all wish that we could make it better for everyone lost, saddened, and distraught. THE GOOD LORD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU AND FOR US ALL.
May His Light shine soon and bright in your life and the lives of others down your way...peace to you, my fellow man.
Steve Cosgrove, Auburn, AL (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:55:15 PM)
Bill, Your story breaks my heart!! I am so glad you are ok, I also hope that soon you'll be reunited with your mother and I pray someone will find your kitty. If someone knows where he lives exactly, go to Bestfriends.org and send an email to the rescue people. They say they will rescue pets if they know the exact address. God bless you!!
Angela Chaffin, Statesville, NC (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:55:26 PM)
I am very sorry about your kitty. I hope you can be reunited with your baby kitty. Can someone like the SPCA go in and rescue kitty ?
Donna (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:02:10 PM)
I thank God that you are safe and I hope you are reunited with your mother and your kitty, all of you in perfect health, very soon. God is amazing!
Hallie Corson, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:04:37 PM)
Bill, I will pray for your mom and Miss Kitty. I have a dog, Thunder Bolt, and I know I would be sick if I did not have him with me. I will also keep you in my prayers. You are a brave person.
Tina Busch-Nema, Wildwood, MO (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:05:12 PM)
Dear Bill, I pray You, your Mom and Miss Kitty are
reunited. Keep the faith. God works in ways we will
never understand. May God watch over all of you in LA., MS., and AL. Stay strong.
Sandy Kluck Ocala, Fl (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:07:02 PM)
i love all of the love that's coming your way...Angela had a great idea...with so many people and God on your side,i just know all will be well....hang tough...i know it's been a tough last week for you...much love and support,Catrinka.
catrinka marvis hermosa beach.ca (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:07:09 PM)
Bill, may God bless you and yours. I pray and believe that all whom have been lost will be found. Have faith for the good Lord above will take care of his own.
Dani Hebert, Jennings LA (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:07:19 PM)
Bill, God is watching over you and Miss Kitty, whatever lies in the days and weeks ahead, pray and stay strong. You are a survivor! God Bless you all. Our thoughts & prayers are with each of you.
Betsy Guyton, Macon Georgia (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:07:40 PM)
Bill,Your story, like so many others this last week breaks my heart.I pray that you find your Mother and your guardian angel cat Miss Kitty, both in good health.May the Lord continue to watch over you and everyone else going through these terrible times.
RayAn Dosher (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:07:58 PM)
Dear Bill I wish u the best in finding your cat. I know how dear pets are. I believe she acted as your gurdian angel and you will meet up again i wish you the best of luck
Colleen Phillipsburg Nj (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:07:59 PM)
My thoughts and prayers are with you Bill, and with your mother...as for Miss Kitty, you know how tough cats can be! I hope she's ok and I think she will be.
Beth, Thornton, CO (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:09:36 PM)
What an amazing story, Bill. I hope your mother and cat are ok. Just in case you find that your guardian angel kitty can't be found, hopefully you can be comforted by the fact that she served her purpose on earth and she was able to thank you for her wonderful home by helping to save you.
Carmen McParland, Kalamazoo, MI (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:09:51 PM)
Bill - I pray you are reunited with Ms Kitty, but please try to remember that if her little soul is lost to you in this life, perhaps that is the most important reason for which she might have been created. After 17 years of love, she performed her greatest service; with God's help, she saved your life. D.Wolf
D. Wolf (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:12:43 PM)
Dear Bill, Just happeened to pick your story. I'm so happy that you are safe. God certainly does answer prayer. I'm trusting that your cat will come out safely also and that your Mother is also safe. God does not leave one detail overlooked. God bless you and your. Barb form Perryville, Mo.
Barb Brewer (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:13:45 PM)
Bill, my thoughts are with you. Your cat's purpose on this earth was to get you to that chair and stay with you as long as it took to make sure you stay on this earth to fulfill your purpose. May you find that purpose. God Bless.
Roni, Des Moines, IA (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:14:16 PM)
You are awesome, Mr. Bill! And your cat is awesome! I pray she is feasting on fat fish right now, as her survival instinct kicks in, just like it did when she saved your life! Hang in there! Don't give up and remember that God is in control.
Annette Sharp, Fouke, AR (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:19:21 PM)
Bill,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mother and Miss kitty. I pray you will be reunited with your mother and Miss Kitty. I have two cats that are my best friends. May God Bless you all.
M. Eickhoff (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:19:24 PM)
God Bless you bill and keep you in his guiding arms. Keep in touch with your faith that will bring you through this tragic time. God will bless your mom and miss kitty. I will pray for you Mr Bill that God keeps you safe and hope that one day you will be rejoined with your mom and your little guardian angel.
David Swoyer, Whitehall, Pa (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:19:25 PM)
bill i lost my dog fritz in the blizzard of 78 i feel for you my brother,where all gods children in the lighthouse of the lord and i pray for you every minute of the day along with the rest of the victims big paul bekas weymouth,ma
big paul bekas (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:21:46 PM)
Dear Bill, That is an amazing story and hope your dear mother and miss kitty are ok. I will say a pray for you and yours. I'm still trying to make contact with my family in new orleans. Say a prayer that they are ok too.
Mary Ann Kaneohe, Hawaii (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:21:56 PM)
Dear Bill,I sympathize with you and the many people that were in the hurricane. I realize how blessed you are to be alive. I hope with all my heart that you find your mother and your cat. I thank God you are alive and well to tell this story. May God bestore a mighty blessing upon you and everyone that is in this hurricane crisis.I really feel your pain to think you have lost someone or something, even to lose. One thing is, by hearing your story and others and seeing the devastation of the hurricane has surely let me know how blessed I am. May God bless you and give you the desires of your heart.
Jackie Clark, Fort Valley, Ga. (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:23:05 PM)
I am glad you are ok. I hope you find your cat. I am a cat lover myself. I hope you find you mother, I feel sure she is safe. If we can help you in anyway, send me an email. God Bless you, and keep you. Our prayers are with you and all the victims of Katrina.
Charlotte Webb, Belmont, MS (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:23:55 PM)
You and your mother and Miss Kitty are in our thoughts. The animal rescue groups are working hard so I hope you'll be in touch with them to look for your outstanding kitty.
Best to you!
Nancy Kelly, Tucson, AZ (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:24:01 PM)
Bill, your story is incredible. Such strength to survive was a gift. As a former owner of a Miss Kitty I think there is something to the 9 lives of cats and even tho you may not see her again she will be there for the right person to bring joy and comfort as only a kitty can. Take care of yourself.
Fran Carlson (Sent Sep 5, 2005 10:25:27 PM)
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