<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div>"<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When something extraordinary occurs in your life, ask yourself: Will you choose the part of the hero or will you simply be a faceless extra lost in the apathetic crowd?"</span></div><div><br></div><div>Courtesy of <i>Catster</i> at:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/freeway-cat-rescue-videos-interview-phoenix-arizona-richard-christianson">http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/freeway-cat-rescue-videos-interview-phoenix-arizona-richard-christianson</a></div><div><div><br></div><div>--------------------------------------</div><div><br></div><div><h2 class="dmg-title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.2em; letter-spacing: -0.02em; font-size: 2em; font-family: camingodos-web, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">We Chat With the Man Who Rescued an Injured Cat on an Arizona Freeway</h2><p class="dmg-teaser" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 30em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 1.2em; font-family: rooney-web, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(137, 11, 91);">Richard Christianson didn't wait for authorities to help before taking on the rescue himself.</p></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last week, fate offered Richard Christianson of Phoenix the opportunity to save a life, and unlike thousands of passersby, he risked his life and jumped into action by rescuing a cat who was injured and trapped on a freeway median. As Richard exited Interstate 17, he passed a chain link fence mounted atop cement barriers.</span><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Is that a cat?" he thought.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To his shock, he found an orange and white <a href="http://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/American_Curl" target="_blank" sl-processed="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: none 0ms ease; -webkit-transition: none 0ms ease;">American Curl</a> cat clutching the cyclone fence.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“I thought someone hit him so hard he flew into the fence cuz he had blood all over,” Christianson said.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As you can see in the video below, the American Curl’s mouth and legs were bloody and a paw reached through the wire, a frantic, but fruitless attempt to escape. His jaw was injured by his attempt to chew through the fence.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As cars passed, Richard called 911, which instructed him to call the Arizona Humane Society. The humane society told him to contact the Department of Public Safety. That department said it had already received several calls over the last two or three hours about a cat. A representative said the department would send out a unit. But when? Every minute that went by, Richard grew hotter. He knew that the cat must be sweltering. By the time DPS finally made to the scene, the cat could be dead.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“He was crying for me. He was reaching for me,” Christianson said.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He knew someone had to do something.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Christianson, who works as a stagehand for conventions, concerts, and plays, tried to jump the fence but couldn’t without impaling himself on the spikes at the top. He ran to his car. Like Gen. Douglas MacArthur said about his retreat from the Philippines, "I shall return."</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He circled around, once again heading northbound on the expressway. He pulled 20 feet past the cat.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nobody’s doing their job,” he said.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Angry that all official channels hadn't yet responded to the cat, Christianson recorded the rescue with his smartphone.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Never did I think anyone would consider me a hero,” he said. “I thought he’d been hit because he had blood all over him. He was crying for me. He was pressed up so hard against the wire, he was reaching up through the fence.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When Richard saw his bloody jaw and paws, he cried, “Oh my God!” He approached the cat slowly, speaking calmly. When Richard stood next to the cat, the kitty continued crying but released his death-grip on the fence and faced his rescuer.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“When he pulled his paw away from the fence, it was like he was saying, 'Okay, just take me,'" <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Christianson said.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Christianson made the not-so-hard decision to sacrifice a beloved T-shirt, signed by M.C. Magic.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“I wrapped my shirt around him," he said. "He just went limp and started purring.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While the stray -- who Christianson named Freeway -- was out of harm's way, he wasn’t out of danger. Richard still feared he might die before they could get help. He took Freeway to the Arizona Humane Society, and the shelter came through. Its staff members rushed the two-year-old kitty into surgery.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Humane Society spokeswoman Bretta Nelson said Freeway had severe trauma: broken teeth, necrotic mouth tissue, and burns to the pads of his feet. While it was touch and go, Freeway has been stabilized. He is on pain medication and antibiotics. He’s on soft food, but now “he’s eating like a little piggy, according to his foster mom.” After a meal he likes to cuddle.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“It’s not about me,” Christianson reminds the public. “It’s about Freeway.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Christianson</span> remains saddened that the cat clung to the fence for more than six hours before someone helped him.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“I was so pissed off at DPS," he said. "That’s why I shared the video.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Christianson</span> believes “everything happens for a reason. I could have taken a different exit, but I didn’t. This is a blessing in disguise [for Freeway]. He was hurt, but his life is going to be way different now. He’s going to be okay.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And yes, Christianson plans on adopting Freeway. He already has three dogs and four cats.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Christianson</span> wants people to get involved.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“People should be aware of their surroundings," he said. "When you see an animal who needs help, don’t assume someone else is going to help. You help.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Christianson has</span> been surprised by all of the attention he’s received. A week ago, he had 300 Facebook friends; since Freeway’s rescue he has more than 1,500.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More than $1,800 in donations have been given on Freeway’s behalf on this <a href="http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/freeway-cat/336379" target="_blank" sl-processed="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">YouCaring campaign</a>.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“God bless you all,” he says to the people who donated to Freeways care. ”Please keep in mind that the Arizona Welfare League and Arizona Humane Society open their doors for animals such as Freeway, and they are run and operated [by way of] the public's donations.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now that Freeway is in safe hands, Christianson said he worries about other animals who need help. He’s considering starting the Freeway Foundation to help stray animals with medical needs.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Freeway is just one of 31,000 animals taken in annually by the Arizona Humane Society. Nelson says people can make donations to help with Freeway’s mounting medical bills at <a href="http://www.azhumane.org/" target="_blank" sl-processed="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: none 0ms ease; -webkit-transition: none 0ms ease;">the group's website</a>. Keep up with Freeway on the cat's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreewayMiracle?fref=ts" target="_blank" sl-processed="1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: none 0ms ease; -webkit-transition: none 0ms ease;">Facebook page</a>.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When something extraordinary occurs in your life, ask yourself: Will you choose the part of the hero or will you simply be a faceless extra lost in the apathetic crowd?</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">--------------------</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Photos</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_01.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_01.jpg</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_02.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_02.jpg</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_03.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_03.jpg</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_04.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_042515_04.jpg</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">--------------------</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Video</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><img src="cid:EEDA6605-30F6-462F-9A7F-47C90D2122B1" alt="image1.jpeg" id="EEDA6605-30F6-462F-9A7F-47C90D2122B1"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: none;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://youtu.be/AMAMAMSBwU8">http://youtu.be/AMAMAMSBwU8</a></span></p></div><div>--------------------------------------<br><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares"</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>