Cat Ruthie Rosemary Left Behind As Forest Fire Burns — What Happens Next Is A Miracle

A Calico tabby named Ruthie Rosemary is a little miracle, but after the stunt she pulled last week, she likely has spent every last one of her nine lives.

In Northern California early last week, a lightning-sparked wildfire raged through Trinity County — and has since burned more than 33,000 acres — sending Debi and Jeff Brusatori fleeing their home, The Los Angeles Times reported.

They loaded their car with some belongings and their tabby, Ruthie.

Unfortunately, before they could drive off, the cat somehow jumped out of the car and ran off and the Brusatoris were forced to leave without her. The flames were coming closer and they simply had no choice.

As the days went on, Debi and Jeff were certain their beloved pet likely perished in the wildfire. And after five days, they returned home.

What they found was utter destruction — their home was gone. And if they had any hope remaining that little Ruthie had somehow escaped unscathed, those hopes were likely dashed in that moment.

But then — a familiar sound. A “meow.”

They followed it to truck, which had been badly burned in the fire. And hiding underneath, calling to her familiar family, was Ruthie. Her whiskers and eyebrows were singed, but she was otherwise unharmed.

Officials with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest told CBS Sacramento that Ruthie’s survival seems impossible. The flames burned so hot that the truck the cat hid under had partially melted.

In a Facebook post about Ruthie’s remarkable survival, the agency exclaimed “It was Ruthie Rosemary! She was found under the truck, though where she hid during the fire is anyone’s guess,” according to SF Gate.

As of Tuesday, the fire that engulfed the Brusatoris’ home had been 52 percent contained; 33,473 acres have burned, according to the Times-Standard. In the Shasta-Trinity forest, 21,288 acres have burned, and the fire there is 35 percent contained.

[Photo Courtesy U.S. Forest Service Facebook]