If you’re a long-time reader of this web site then you know that Spumoni my cat saved my life on December 6, 2004. This blog entry is a tribute to his quick thinking and unconditional love.

It was 19 years ago today that I was out showing property on a cold December morning in North Lake Tahoe. A block of ice about the size of 3 bricks fell off the roof of the house at 976 Sand Iron Ct. as I was trying to open the front door. My clients Rod and Debbie rushed me to the emergency room where Dr. Higgins repaired the traumatic head wound that I suffered.

The doctor told me to make sure that I had someone stay with me that night in the event that I stop breathing. Evidently, it’s not unusual for victims of head injuries involving this type of serious concussion to stop breathing while sleeping.

Unfortunately, my wife at the time was attending UC Davis and she had been hit by a car while riding her bicycle just 2 weeks earlier. So, she was partially incapacitated on crutches and geographically unable to be with me that night.

I had been living at Lake Tahoe for less than 2 years and didn’t have any close friends at that time. With no 2 legged creatures available to take care of me I was dependent upon Spumoni. It was normal for him to stay on the bed while I was sleeping each night.

I can never thank Spumoni enough to recognize that I had stopped breathing in the middle of the night. I woke up gasping for air with him jumping up and down on my chest and slapping me in the face with his right front paw.

I’m certain that if not for Spumoni’s actions that night I would have died in my sleep. It is for this decisive action along with being the best companion in all my life that I am leaving my entire estate in his memory to provide scholarships for feline veterinary students at UC Davis.

Rest in peace Spumoni.  I am forever grateful that my cat saved my life on that fateful night.

My Cat Saved My Life – Spumoni and Tiger on the Waterbed