Fynn
We had some severe weather roll through our area recently, and that was the day that Fynn chose to get stuck in a tree in his next door neighbor's backyard. He hung on tightly as the wind and rain thrashed him about, and it broke Kristy's heart to watch him suffering up there and to be unable to help him. Kristy did her best to coax him down, but he was 45 feet high in a Sweetgum tree, and Fynn was just too scared to try. She called various people and services for help but failed until Animal Control referred her to me, and by that time, Fynn had spent two nights in the tree.
Fynn is a sweet and friendly boy, but I was worried about my rope installation scaring him out to the end of his limb where I would not likely be able to reach him. To prevent that, I chose to install my rope below him and work my way up to him gently and quietly. That was the plan, but I struggled clumsily and noisily like an amateur climber to reach him, and Fynn was concerned enough to walk out his limb. Fortunately, he went only half way out and was still at a point where he could easily return. Once I settled down, he came back to me and introduced himself. I was still in a very awkward spot, but I was able to earn his trust and friendship before making a little more commotion to get myself in a better position to rescue him. I had to work at it, but I was able to get myself high enough where he could step on my lap, and that is exactly what he did. I already had the cat bag prepared over my lap, so all I had to do was pull the sides of the bag up around him and secure him inside. Fynn was very quiet and patient inside the bag even though it took me a long time to get him back down to the ground.
I could sense Kristy's love and concern for Fynn from the first moment she contacted me, and it was even more evident when I handed Fynn safely back to her to take home. It is at that moment when all the fear, stress, and worry of the past few days are finally relieved. This is serious stuff here, and sometimes even I need to be reminded how important and meaningful it is. It feels wonderful to be able to do this, and I desperately hope there will be others to take my place when I am no longer able.