Cat Home for Christmas

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) - A Decatur woman got an early Christmas
present this week when her cat was rescued after being up in a tree
for 11 days.
Bobby Mitchell and Jimmy Ivey of Mitchell Dean Tree Service used
a portable lift and pole-climbing gear to get close to Gizzy the
calico cat this weekend.
The frightened cat backed away from her would-be rescuers until
she ran out of room and fell from the tree's lowest limb.
Leona Byford is Gizzy's owner and says the cat wasn't injured
from the 35-foot fall but is much thinner after not eating for 11
days.
The stubborn 1-year-old stayed in the tree despite daily calls
from Byford and food left at the base of the tree.
Decatur Animal Services, Decatur Fire and Rescue, and Decatur
Utilities all offered assistance, but they couldn't get their lift
trucks or ladder trucks close enough to the tree to help.
Byford says this is the second time the cat has spent a week in
a tree and she plans to have Gizzy de-clawed or fixed after
Christmas.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)