SMALL HEARTBEAT, BIG RESCUE Kitten Keeps Trapped Climber Alive in Mountain Blizzard Trapped in an icy mountain ravine, soaked and nearly frozen, 28-year-old Vladislav Duda contemplated what he feared would be the last night of his life. Escape from the ravine, more than 430 yards deep, was out of the question. Suffering from fatigue as hypothermia set in, Duda believed only one thing separated him from death: the furry warmth of his months-old kitten, Peach, huddled against his chest beneath his coat. Duda, a Ukrainian journalist, had undertaken a perilous journey in late 2024 across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Four days earlier, he had run out of food for his cat and himself, and they were surviving on icy water from melted snow. Rescue workers from a regional mountain team had tried to reach Duda by helicopter, but hazardous blizzard conditions forced them to turn back. Instead, more than a dozen ground workers battled through deep snow in 14-degree temperatures into the ravine. When they finally reached Duda, they opened his coat and found the tiny orange tabby kitten curled against Duda’s chest. “The cat was warm, and was warming him,” Dan Benga, director of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, told The Associated Press. “He saved his life.” Asked if he was okay, Benga says that Duda told his rescuers, “I’m happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me.” Although climbing out of the ravine took more than five hours, Duda held Peach close to his chest the entire way. Forced to turn the kitten over to rescue workers when he was placed in an ambulance, Duda begged them, “Please take care of the cat.”
Here’s a big one: Always be mindful of ice melt and snow on the ground, and be sure to wipe off our paws once we’re back inside. That stuff is irritating to us; if it’s not removed, we’ll probably try to lick it off, which will irritate our mouths. Additionally, be sure to provide us with a dry, cozy place to rest after our winter wonderland adventures. Moving forward, I look forward to providing our readers with more advice in my new role at the hospital. Please let our human staff know if you have any questions about caring for your dogs that I can answer in a future newsletter. Until next time, I’ll be busy barketing!
–Sam, Chief Barketing Officer
Dog Birthday Cake
INGREDIENTS
When Duda was rescued, he was one of roughly 160 Ukrainian men saved while crossing the mountains to avoid the draft. Sixteen others died trying.
• 1 cup pumpkin purée • 1/2 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free) • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cup flour • 2 tsp baking soda Frosting • 2 cups unsweetened Greek yogurt • 1 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
The rescue was “like a dream, after all I have been through,” Duda said. “Peach kept my heart warm, and he kept my faith alive.” Duda was treated for hypothermia at a nearby hospital. Peach was taken to a veterinary clinic nearby and, at last report, survived the ordeal in good health.
• 4 large eggs • 2 tbsp honey
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease two 6-inch cake rounds and put parchment paper in them, cutting so it fits cleanly in the pan. 3. Mix pumpkin purée, peanut butter, applesauce, and vegetable oil in a large bowl until incorporated. Then, mix in eggs and honey. 4. In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking soda. 5. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and whisk until combined. 6. Divide batter between pans and bake for 18–20 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and cool completely. 7. For frosting, blend yogurt and peanut butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. 8. Once cakes are cool, coat with frosting and layer.
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