This Hero Cat Literally Called 911 to Save Its Owner’s Life
Most people joke about teaching their pets cool tricks, but one Ohio man ended up depending on his cat in a way that sounds like something out of a sitcom. Gary Rosheisen lived alone and used a wheelchair, and he shared his apartment with an orange and tan striped cat named Tommy.
Gary had health issues that affected his balance and caused painful falls, so staying safe at home wasn’t always easy. He tried to prepare, though. He kept his phone on the floor where he could reach it, and he even tried to teach Tommy how to hit a speed dial button that would call 911. He figured it was worth a shot. He never really knew if the lessons stuck, but he kept the idea in the back of his mind.
The Fall That Changed Everything
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One night, Gary fell from his wheelchair and landed near his bed. Pain from osteoporosis and past ministrokes left him unable to pull himself up. He normally wore a medical alert necklace, but not that night. He also had a cord above his pillow that could signal paramedics, but he couldn’t reach it. He was stuck on the floor with no way to call for help.
That is where Tommy comes in. Police later said they received a 911 call from Gary’s apartment, but no one spoke. An officer called back, and still no one answered. At that point, they decided to head over to check things out. When Officer Patrick Daugherty opened the door, he found Gary on the ground and Tommy lying right next to the phone.
The receiver was off the hook, and the caller was silent, just like Gary had pictured all those times he imagined Tommy making the call. The officer tried to come up with another explanation, then admitted there wasn’t one that made sense. Gary heard what happened and knew exactly who deserved the thanks.
The Cat Who Paid Attention After All
Gary told reporters that Tommy never acted interested during the little training sessions, but the cat must have been paying attention more than he let on. The phone on the living room floor had 12 small buttons. The speed dial for 911 sat just above the speaker button, which made it easier for a paw to hit the right one. Tommy had been adopted a few years earlier to help Gary lower his blood pressure and keep him calm. He ended up doing that and more.
After the story spread, people online started talking about it again, pointing out how smart cats are. Some even joked about checking their own phones to make sure their cats didn’t accidentally order pizza. Others shared stories about pets turning on radios, opening cabinet doors, or meowing at the exact moment their owners needed attention. Still, calling 911 is in a category of its own.
A Best Friend With Perfect Timing
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Gary later said that without Tommy, he might not have made it. It wasn’t just lucky timing. It was a moment that showed the bond between a man and a pet who understood him in a way no one expected. Officer Daugherty said the whole thing sounded weird, but he couldn’t argue with what he saw. Tommy stayed calm by the phone like he knew exactly what he did.
Gary called Tommy his hero, and he meant it. The whole story feels like something people would debate, yet the officer saw it, the call logs backed it, and Gary is here because a cat pressed a button at the right moment. Sometimes a hero is fluffy, striped, and waiting by the phone.