WESTFORD, MASS. — Tiki, a 20-year-old blind black-and-white cat, likes to roam about outdoors. But this time he caused a scare after he was seen on ice floating in Nabnasset Lake and then fell in. He has an alert passerby and nearby construction workers to thank for his rescue.
“I was hysterical. I knew the ice was thin,” recalled witness Dawn Felicani. After calling local authorities, she witnessed Tiki plunge beneath the ice, his head barely visible above the freezing water. Felicani quickly dialed animal control again, desperate for help.
When the rescue team arrived, they found two men already braving the treacherous conditions to save the cat. Construction workers Kris Puza and Nate Seymour, who were working nearby, noticed Tiki's perilous situation. With no time to waste, Puza hopped aboard a rowboat and used his shovel to paddle across the icy surface, all the way to Tiki, who was now submerged.
Thanks to their quick actions, Tiki was pulled out of the water just before it was too late. “If the guys hadn’t grabbed him immediately, he for sure would have gone down,” said animal control officer Kirsten Hirschler. Tiki was shivering, lethargic, and showing signs of severe shock by the time he was brought ashore.
After getting Tiki safely inside, rescuers wrapped him in blankets. His condition, as reported by the Westford Animal Control, was grave. “When we took his temperature, it didn’t even register on the thermometer,” they said. Tiki was immediately transported to veterinary care, where he received emergency treatment for hypothermia.
Despite the frightening ordeal, Tiki’s remarkable spirit shone through. His owner, Jon Arden, who had been frantically searching for him, noted, “He’s pretty annoyed he can’t go back outside.” Tiki, blind for about a year now, had accidentally wandered too far from home, likely chased by predators and found himself trapped on the dangerous ice far from his usual surroundings.
The rescue was nothing short of miraculous. Animal control and community members expressed their relief at Tiki’s survival. “This story is nothing short of a miracle from start to finish,” said animal control staff. “There is no doubt we would not have made it in time to save this old man!”
Reflecting on the incident, Felicani expressed her disbelief at the outcome. “I still can’t believe it,” she said, grateful for the decisive actions of local heroes who stepped up to assist when Tiki needed it most.
The community response has been overwhelming, highlighting the strong ties of residents who don’t hesitate to jump to action for one of their own, even if it’s just for a little cat like Tiki. “It really is a little Christmas miracle,” said Seymour, his rescuer.
Moving forward, the Ardens are committed to keeping Tiki indoors and ensuring he stays safe. “We’re definitely going to keep him in as much as possible now,” Arden said. They hope this event serves as a reminder for everyone to keep their eyes open for animals at risk.
It’s clear from this ordeal just how interconnected the community is and how the right actions can lead to happy endings. Tiki may be blind and old, but he certainly has proven his resilience and has the support of those around him! And perhaps we'll all take away one lasting lesson from Tiki’s icy plunge: everyone needs a hero sometimes; let’s be those heroes.
