Life-saving moggy is named National Cat of the Year after he saved his owner by keeping her awake after detecting a fatal blood clot – but sadly died just weeks before he could accept the award
- Feline Theo was named National Cat of the Year after saving his owner’s life
- The pet detected a potentially fatal blood clot in his owner Charlotte
- Pawed his owner to stop her from going to sleep which probably saved her life
- Unfortunately Theo died just weeks before he could accept the award
A cat who helped his owner survive a potentially fatal blood clot has been named National Cat of the Year 2018.
Eight-year-old Theo from Redditch, Worcestershire, had been seriously ill with cat flu as a tiny kitten, only surviving thanks to round-the-clock care from owner Charlotte Dixon.
Years later, he repaid her when he detected a blood clot working its way through Charlotte’s body in the middle of the night.
By constantly pawing her and behaving erratically, Theo prevented Charlotte falling asleep – action which probably saved her life.
Theo has been named National Cat of the Year after he saved his owner Charlotte Dixon (pictured) from a potentially fatal blood clot
Theo detected a blood clot working its way through Charlotte’s body in the middle of the night and constantly pawed at her preventing her from Charlotte falling asleep – action which probably saved her life
Sadly Theo died just weeks before he could be presented with the award but Charlotte (pictured collecting his award) said that made his win more poignant
Sadly Theo died just a week before the Awards which, according to Charlotte, has made his win all the more poignant.
Charlotte said: ‘All cats are amazing but I owe my life to Theo. We always had a close bond and I feel this award is a truly wonderful way to celebrate his life.
-
‘This is what happens when you don’t hire women!’ Users…
Your own piece of girl power: Movie heroines’ iconic outfits… -
Keep dry and carry on! Glamorous Galway racegoers refuse to…
Share this article
‘When he was ill as a kitten, I wouldn’t give up on him as I knew he had a real spark and a will to live.
‘I fed him round the clock with liquidised food through a pipette, kept him warm and talked to him a lot. I think that’s what’s always made us so close.
Theo ‘repaid’ Charlotte after she nursed him back to health after he was seriously ill with cat flu as a kitten
Charlotte said she had always had a ‘close bond’ with Theo and she owes his life to him
Theo was selected as National Cat of the Year by a panel of celebrity judges made up of actor Peter Egan, broadcaster Andrew Collins, actress Carley Stenson, and actor Paul Copley
‘When I woke up in the night feeling unwell, I put it down to a virus. I was confused and shaky but thought I should just get some sleep. Theo wouldn’t let me and was behaving very strangely and out of character.
‘He kept batting me with his paw, meowing and jumping on me – keeping me awake. Eventually I decided to call my mum and she called an ambulance.
‘The paramedic recognised the signs of a blood clot straight away and said it was a good thing I hadn’t fallen asleep as I probably wouldn’t have woken up.’
Charlotte was rushed to hospital where she spent a week in the High Dependency Unit before making a full recovery.
RUNNERS-UP
Salem: Winner of Furr-ever Friends category, who helps 15-year-old Jared Bignold cope with living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Arthur: Winner of Most Caring Cat, who has helped owner Emily Hatton live independently after three a half years receiving specialist treatment for severe mental health issues.
Toby: Winner of Hero Cat, who is able to detect when owner Annette Sterland-Burton is about to suffer a seizure as a result of a neurological condition.
Lucky: Winner of Outstanding Rescue Cat, who has given owner Travis Tremayne the willpower and positivity to battle an aggressive form of cancer
‘I’m devastated that he’s gone but I’m so proud of him for winning. It shows I’m not the only one who thinks he was a really special cat.’
Theo was selected as National Cat of the Year by a panel of celebrity judges made up of actor Peter Egan, musician Rick Wakeman, animal behaviour expert Sarah Fisher, actor Anthony Head, broadcaster Andrew Collins, actress Carley Stenson, actor Danny Mac, actor Paul Copley and presenter and actress Jessica-Jane Stafford.
He was chosen as overall winner after first winning a public vote in the Purina Better Together category, celebrating the special bond that can transform the lives of cats and their owners.
Andrew Collins said: ‘There’s no greater, nor more selfless a bond than between Charlotte and Theo. That Theo was nursed to health by Charlotte and then he repaid her in kind is the epitome of the cat-human relationship.’
Andrew presented an emotional Charlotte with Theo’s trophy at an awards ceremony at London’s Savoy on Thursday 2 August.
Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, organised by the UK’s largest cat charity and sponsored by PURINA®, is an annual celebration of the real-life stories of heroism, loyalty and companionship in the feline world.
‘The bond between Theo and Charlotte has really captured our hearts and being able to honour him with this award is a fitting tribute,’ explained Cats Protection’s awards organiser Kate Bunting.
‘I hope the experience of today will be of some comfort to Charlotte at this difficult time.’
Claire Robinson-Davies, Head of Corporate Communications at Purina, said: ‘We hope the stories of this year’s winners will inspire more people to welcome pets into their lives.
This is the seventh time PURINA® has sponsored the event and we are delighted to continue our partnership and support the wonderful work Cats Protection does.’
Source: Read Full Article