Herbie isn’t your average tabby… he’s a hero and a lifesaver!
When Janine DeMartini, a New York resident, fostered Herbie from Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue, she had no idea that this cat would end up heroically rescuing her daughter in return.
When this busy single mother was about to fall asleep after a long day of work, school, and children, Herbie started meowing loudly and headed for the door.
He was usually a mellow cat so she knew something was amiss.
Janine got up and opened the door, and the agitated kitty went straight to her daughter Isabella’s room.
“Herbie kept pawing at the door and when I opened it, he ran inside and jumped into her crib. Isabella had turned over while sleeping and had pulled a toy blanket over her face,” she recalled.
Somehow her two year old daughter was being smothered by a blanket! Fortunately, Herbie’s watchful eye managed to save Isabella’s life.
Even though Janine was just fostering Herbie, she now knew that this kitty would be become a permanent family member due the loyalty that he had shown.
“He was always purring and rubbing on me — very affectionate. I always said, ‘You’re just a little love bug’ …. but I never intended on keeping him,” Janine added.
Now Herbie has a place in the DeMartini home.
Janine, a social worker who has written papers on the benefits of animal-assisted therapy for those suffering from depression and anxiety, knows firsthand how our feline friends protect and care for us.
Related story: Masha the Homeless Cat Saves the life of a Baby
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