Noble Cat Winnie, the "Awakening" Hero

On Saturday, March 15, Golden Year 5 (2008), initiates from Indiana and Ohio went to New Castle, Indiana to present the Shining World Hero Award to Winnie, a 15-year-old cat. Family and friends were invited to share in the honor being made on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai. When we arrived and greeted Winnie, she responded with a piping, "Hi!" We later learned that Winnie really could speak.

On March 24, 2007, Winnie saved the lives of her family, Eric and Cathy Keesling and their son Michael, from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Keeslings had installed a gas-powered pump to remove water from their basement. One evening, the pump malfunctioned and began to emit carbon monoxide throughout the house. Sometime after midnight, Winnie, detected a problem and went to the bedroom. She climbed onto the bed and began nudging Cathy's ear while meowing very loudly. Cathy was the only one to awaken; her husband and son did not. Nauseous and dizzy, she managed to dial 9-1-1. The paramedics soon arrived, and thanks to Winnie's persistent alert, all three family members were rescued and revived.

Upon presenting the Shining World Hero Award to Winnie, her demeanor indicated that she knew she was the 'star' and she loved it. The Keeslings also expressed their appreciation to Supreme Master Ching Hai for the gifts and care.

During the initiates' visit, the family's love and appreciation for Winnie was very clear. Eric said Winnie won his heart from the day 15 years earlier that his wife found her as a tiny, frail newborn. When asked if there was any thing else unique about Winnie, Eric and Cathy replied that Winnie talks. We had already been greeted by Winnie and were once again witness to her unique speech when we said farewell to the family, and Winnie also meowed, "Bye!"