Back in 2018, Fred Everitt of Belden, Mississippi, adopted a calico cat named Bandit from the local Humane Society. By saving her that day, he had no idea the cat would one day save his life.
On Sunday, July 24, in the wee hours of the night, Bandit was out prowling about the house as she tends to do. It’s a habit that most cat lovers are all-too-familiar with. Cats have a mysterious nightlife, as we documented with Cole and Marmalade’s twilight adventures.
In this case, Bandit’s love for the nightlife turned into a real lifesaver. That Monday, around 2:30 am, the 20-lb kitty began meowing from the kitchen, a guttural sound that Everitt thought probably meant she had seen another cat. But it was a couple of would-be home intruders.
Everitt started to go back to sleep, but then the cat did something extraordinary.
“You hear of guard dogs,” said Everitt, 68. “This is a guard cat,” he told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
Fred Everitt and his adopted cat from Tupelo-Lee Humane Society. Image credit: Thomas Wells/Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP
Cat Pulls Off the Covers
After Bandit’s meows didn’t get her dad’s attention, she decided desperate times called for desperate measures. According to the journal, the cat ran into the bedroom, pulled the comforter off Everitt’s bed, and clawed his arms! He knew the cat had an important reason to alert him at that point.
“She had never done that before,” Everitt said. “I went, ‘What in the world is wrong with you?'”
After Bandit’s shocking behavior, Everitt got up and investigated the house, discovering that two young men were attempting to break open the back door. One was using a crowbar, and the other man had a handgun.
When Everitt flipped on the light, the men must have realized they had been discovered and ran away. When Everitt returned from the bedroom with his pistol, they were gone.
Bandit Saves Dad from Bandits
If not for Bandit, the cat, the two thugs may have entered the door before Everitt knew what was happening. So, she, in all likelihood, saved his life.
“It did not turn into a confrontational situation, thank goodness,” Everitt said. “But I think it’s only because of the cat.”
Today, the retired surgeon is sure the cat saved him and is thankful for that day years ago at the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society. When the long-time humane society supporter saw her, he knew he wanted to adopt the kitten on the spot. By saving her life, he has been rewarded beyond compare.
“I want to let people know that you not only save a life when you adopt a pet or rescue one,” Everitt said. “The tides could be turned. You never know when you save an animal if they’re going to save you.”
News of Bandit’s heroic actions has made national news after appearing in the local newspaper.
Image via Facebook/Tupelo-Lee Humane Society
Featured image: Thomas Wells/Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP and image of a burglar by geralt via Pixabay
