A tale of two kitties ... with a happy ending

On Tuesday, April 11, I was notified that there was a fire in one of the apartment units in my complex. The building is fortunately located right across the street from the firehouse on Route 27 and Langstaff Avenue. By the time I ran out of my office and up to the apartment that was on fire, the fire trucks were already pulling into the driveway of the complex.

The tenant was not home, but being the manager of the building, I knew she had two cats that meant the world to her and myself. I have to thank the firemen from across the street and any firemen from any other stations for the fantastic job they did in getting the fire under control and putting up with my hysterics regarding my tenant's two cats, Beeper and KeeKee.

I didn't get names, but one fireman was particularly diligent in searching for Beeper and KeeKee. He came out with Beeper, who was terribly afraid and having great trouble breathing. He brought Beeper to me, and two very nice firemen who were not on duty but there to try and help took me over to a vehicle and started giving Beeper oxygen. Beeper obviously needed to get to a veterinarian, and they were kind enough to run her up to Raritan Animal Hospital for me while I waited for them to bring KeeKee from the fire. Again, this one fireman came out with KeeKee, who weighs 30 pounds and was really in distress but was rushed by a friend to Raritan Animal Hospital, where they were waiting for KeeKee's arrival.

Unfortunately, my tenant lost everything. But thanks to the firemen, she still has Beeper and KeeKee, which she was and is grateful for.

I want to personally thank the firemen, police and especially the firemen from across the street who cared enough to put up with my hysterics to save Beeper and KeeKee and doing their job in putting out the fire.

As to Raritan Animal Hospital, I told them my tenant had nothing, she lost everything in the fire, and that since I have my own 501(c) nonprofit organization for helping animals, called Helping Hands for Helpless Paws, that Helping Hands would take care of the bill for Beeper and KeeKee. Helping Hands for Helpless Paws is a small local organization of two - Joe Leight and myself - and we are also longtime volunteers at the Edison Animal Shelter and contribute much to the shelter.

Keeping in mind that Helping Hands is a small organization, I never imaged that the vet bill would total $1,245.50.

My tenant is left with nothing and no resources to help to pay this bill, and Helping Hands cannot cover this entire bill either.

I don't like to ask, but I am going to have to in order to get this vet bill paid. Anyone willing to help out Helping Hands for Helpless Paws and my tenant by making a small monetary donation to Helping Hands for Helpless Paws at 1996 Route 27, Suite 6, Edison, NJ 08817, will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you all who are taking time to read this letter and again a big thank you to the Edison Township Fire Department.

Barbara Sabatie

Helping Hands for

Helpless Paws Inc.

Edison