LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
House Cat Gets Stuck In Tree on Rare Outing
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka Fire Department and the animal control officer teamed up Tuesday morning to rescue a family cat trapped 35 feet up a tree on the Gavan Hill trail.
On Sunday, the Barker family reported their cat Luna – described as white, with blue eyes and six toes on his front paws – had been missing from their Monastery Street home for a few days, said Animal Control Officer Ken Buxton.
Luna is an indoor cat, but had somehow gotten out, Buxton said.
Animal Control Officer Ken Buxton holds Luna. (Photo provided)
Around 10:30 p.m. Monday night someone reported seeing a cat high in a tree on the Gavan Trail near the footbridge. Buxton got the message when he went on duty Tuesday morning, and he called the fire department for help.
“The cat was perched pretty precariously,” he said. “You never see a dead cat (from being) up a tree, but you do see ones with broken legs and tails.” He talked to the cat while waiting for firefighters with a ladder.
It was over pretty quickly, Buxton said. He climbed up the ladder, collected the cat with a six-foot snare and came down slowly. Once on the ground he found the cat was calmer than he expected after its ordeal in the treetop.
“It was a dream – it was one of these cats that will change your opinions on cats,” Buxton said.
Since the cat matched the description of one reported missing on Sunday, he called the Barkers. He took the cat to veterinarian Vicky Vosburg for a checkup and then went to his office to wait for the owner. Pat Barker, the grandfather of the owner, Philip Barker, met him there to claim Luna, said Pat’s wife Marti.
Buxton said the owners were pleased for the return of seven-month-old Luna, which the animal control officer said is understandable.
“Negative cat people – they need to see one of these cats once in a while,” he said.
Marti agreed. “Luna is very loving,” she said. “We’d like to thank everyone who helped find her.”
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.