A remarkable tale of bravery as a pet rat helps save her owner from disaster.
UNITED KINGDOM — “Ratty,” a courageous little rat, has become an unlikely hero after saving cancer sufferer Caroline Davis, 61, from a fiery fate by moving her lit cigarette and waking her up just in time.
When Caroline dozed off with a cigarette burning unattended, Ratty sprang into action as the cigarette ignited her dressing gown. Remarkably, Caroline believes Ratty must have picked up her cigarette and moved it, as it was discovered several feet away from where she had left it. In addition to this quick thinking, Ratty also woke Caroline by scratching at her, alerting her to the growing flames.
Caroline, a mother of two from Peterborough, expressed her gratitude, saying, “If it hadn’t been for Ratty, we could have lost our home, or maybe even our lives. She saved us. I like to think that’s her way of paying me back for rescuing her in the first place.”
Ratty came into Caroline’s life when the family’s cat, Paddy, caught her and brought her home 18 months ago. At first, Caroline was unsure if Ratty would survive the night, but she was pleasantly surprised by the little rodent’s resilience. “I only fed and watered her to give her a comfortable end, but to my surprise, she just kept getting stronger and stronger. She repaid me in spades,” Caroline added.
Human-Loving Animals While stories of animals saving humans often seem like the stuff of Disney movies, real-life examples abound that challenge our perceptions of animal behavior. Here are three remarkable instances of animals displaying heroic instincts:
Whale Defends Scientist from Shark In a stunning encounter, scientist Nan Hauser found herself in a precarious situation when a humpback whale began nudging her toward safety while a large tiger shark lurked nearby. Initially confused, Nan soon realized the whale was protecting her from the predator, guiding her back to her boat. With a lifetime dedicated to whale conservation, Nan believes that these majestic creatures have a selfless desire to help others, showcasing the profound connection between species.
Lions Rescue Girl from Kidnappers In June 2005, a 12-year-old girl in Ethiopia was kidnapped by seven men who intended to force her into marriage. After a harrowing week, three lions intervened, chasing the men away and guarding the girl until authorities arrived. Animal experts speculate that the lions may have been drawn to her cries, mistaking them for those of a lion cub, demonstrating that even wild animals can instinctively protect those in danger.
Sea Lion Saves Suicide Jumper In 2006, 19-year-old Kevin Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge in a desperate act. While he survived the fall, he found himself unable to swim to safety. A sea lion came to his rescue, buoying him up until help arrived. This extraordinary event highlights the capacity of animals to act in ways that may save human lives, reminding us of the remarkable bonds that can exist between species.
In a world where stories of compassion and bravery often come from unexpected places, Ratty’s heroic act stands as a testament to the unique relationships we share with animals.
