While battling the devastating fires that engulfed Paradise, California last November, Ryan Coleman made an unexpected new friend when he saved a cat from the raging inferno. The Paradise fire, dubbed the deadliest in the state’s history and the sixth most deadly in the United States, claimed the lives of 86 people and left another three individuals missing, as well as destroying nearly 14,000 houses. With all of the wreckage and death all around him, a light of hope in the form of a worried grey cat broke through the desolation for the firefighter.
The fire started on November 8th and raged through Butte County, California for 17 days until firefighters were able to fully contain it, with the majority of the damage occurring in the first six hours. A big fluffy cat came up to greet Coleman as he was exploring around in the recently charred wasteland, rummaging amid the debris and devastation. Thousands of pets, cattle, and animals were abandoned, lost, or worse as a result of the raging fires. As a result, when this gray fluff-ball tromped out to Coleman, it was a sight to behold.
The firefighter quickly took out his phone and snapped an adorable photo of the cat, who appeared to be delighted to greet him. Coleman was most likely the first person this terrible cat had seen since the terrifying fire started, and it’s incredible to see him unmarked by the heat of the blaze like so many other unfortunate pets.
It wasn’t enough for the cat to rub on his leg or be close to him. The cat rushed right up to Ryan and then up his leg, indicating that he trusted Ryan would keep him safe. Ryan was now his human, at least for the time being, and he was not going anywhere without him.
Coleman attempted to cuddle the frantic feline to his chest while snapping another short selfie with him, but the frenetic feline wasn’t pleased there either. The cat desired to be carried aloft by the firefighter’s strong shoulders, where he could be near him while knowing he was safe, and Ryan gladly obliged! On November 18th, Ryan took a fast video and shared it, along with the photos, to his Facebook page with the caption:
“Kitty to the rescue.” As I walked about, she just chilled on my neck and shoulders!”
It’s no surprise that this cat was adopting Ryan on the spot, given how the fires continued to build and rage! Along with photos of his new BFF, the brave firefighter shared images of what it was like to be in the midst of what can only be described as a horrific disaster.
Coleman, an engine Captain, must have been exhausted after battling the wildfires for several days, so having the love and comfort of the cat on his shoulders was a welcome relief. She didn’t just settle down once perched there, either.
The excited feline does everything she can to thank her savior in the video below. She keeps pressing her head against his face and rubbing back and forth across his stubbly beard as she rides on his shoulders, unafraid to show him affection.
It’s amazing to watch our heroes like this firefighter receive the love and thanks they deserve, even and especially from non-humans who would have been lost without them, in the midst of the most damaging wildfire in our country’s history, as well as one of the deadliest. If you or someone you know has lost track of a pet as a result of the Paradise Camp Fire, check here to see if they are being held at the shelter while employees and volunteers look for their owners.
Take a peek:
