Smart Cat Woke Up Her Owner When Their Home Caught Fire and Saved Her Life
A house fire in Chelyabinsk turned into a life-or-death moment, and one cat ended up doing the impossible. Lyosha first tried scratching his 79-year-old owner, Dina Nikolayevna, awake, then bit her neck and meowed until she finally stirred.
That split-second warning gave her enough time to call for help from her neighbors, who contacted the fire service. Firefighters arrived within minutes and put out the flames before the situation got even worse.
Now the cat is being praised for more than just good instincts, and the story has a surprisingly emotional ending.
Dina Nikolayevna hugs her cat Lyosha.
The firefighters believe Ms. Nikolayevna would certainly have died from carbon monoxide poisoning but was saved by her loving cat just in time.
While caressing the animal, Dina said, 'It's too early for me to die.' She celebrates her birthday in a couple of days, so there is a reason for a double celebration.
It is believed that the fire was triggered by a short circuit and that it almost entirely destroyed this woman’s 160-square-foot apartment.
That was a close call for everyone involved.
Lyosha had a lot of ash and dust in his fur but received a groomer's treatment.
Evelina Kornienko, a pet groomer who was called in to clean the cat covered in ash and dirt, started a campaign for a bravery award for the cat.
'This loyal 15-year-old cat saved the life of his owner, showing perseverance and courage,' she said. 'He could have huddled under the bed, and everything would have ended very sadly.'
Kornienko added: 'Many will agree with me that this cat deserves a medal for heroism. To say I am proud of this hero is an understatement. I am frenzied with admiration and stood up to applaud him. He saved himself, his granny, and all the neighbors who could have suffered from the fire. He was not scared.'
People around her are clearly treating Lyosha like a hero.
The cat was living with this pensioner's daughter but moved in with lonely Ms. Nikolayevna after she lost her husband.
Evgenia Ponomareva, her granddaughter, says the cat has many talents.
Ms. Nikolayevna's granddaughter, Evgenia Ponomareva (pictured), says the cat has many talents.
This is where the fire started.
Ms. Nikolayevna's hearing is impaired, and when her phone starts to ring, the smart cat jumps around the device until she picks it up.
'If the cat jumps in the corridor, it means someone is at the door and granny needs to look through the peephole.'
Lyosha sounds like he has been looking out for her for a long time.
Before you think this is the only heroic choice, see how a rescued cat picked the firefighter who saved it after the earthquake.
Share this article:
