PHOTO PROVIDED
Local resident Joy Russell and Remi on the day she was discovered.
LOCK HAVEN — Recently graduated from school and shifting throughout the nation for a brand new job, Julia Etkin and her mom weren’t ready for the shock of a lifetime throughout a brief break on their journey.
Etkin and her mom, Christie Rodgers, had been driving from Denver, Colo., to New Haven, Conn., — round a 28 hour drive straight by — to begin her new job as a Postgraduate-Predoctoral Associate Fellow at Yale School of Medicine.
Etkin’s beloved cat, Remi, had been nicely behaved for the journey. Remi had sat on the dashboard of the shifting truck and had been comparatively calm the entire time.
When Etkin and her mother determined they wanted to stretch their legs in the direction of the tail finish of their journey, Remi darting out of the truck had been the very last thing on their minds.
“It’s always really stressful to move, let alone move with animals. But she was doing such a good job. She napped on the dashboard, and she would curl up on a little blanket right under my feet. I opened my door… She kind of looked out… I did not think she was going to run out. All of a sudden she darts out of the moving truck and disappears into the forest,” stated Etkin.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Remington is pictured on the sprint of her proprietor, Julia Etkin’s, automobile they traveled from Colorado to Denver. While in Lamar Township, Remi jumped from the automobile and was later discovered by native residents.
Remi was misplaced in Lamar Township, proper off of Interstate 80 round South Heckman’s Gap Road.
The pair spent an additional 24 hours — including much more time to this already lengthy journey — on the lookout for her and walking across the space Remi had disappeared to, however had been unsuccessful find the cat amongst all the comb.
She went door to door at close by homes, speaking to everybody she may and giving out photos of Remi and her contact info.
“We had an awesome experience, it was unbelievable. I’ve never met such wonderful people, it’s amazing how many people helped my daughter. It was so amazing,” stated Rodgers, who was overwhelmed with the assist for her daughter.
“Almost instantly, people were so receptive and so helpful. Everyone was so nice and every single person said they’d put it out on their social media and try to spread the word. This was so important largely because I wasn’t planning to stay in Pennsylvania at all,” stated Etkin.
Etkin and her mother stayed in a single day within the truck and known as for Remi. Eventually, they needed to abandon the seek for Remi and get again on the highway. Etkin had an residence to maneuver into and a brand new job to begin.
“It was really heartbreaking the next morning. I was expecting her to have returned when the sun set and when it got cold. When she didn’t, I was so heartbroken,” stated Etkin.
Though she needed to go away, Etkin tried the whole lot she may to get Remi again. She walked by the neighborhood and knocked on doorways, known as native shelters and veterinary clinics — something she may consider which may assist her search.
Remi’s final recognized location and details about her had been posted to the Pet Recovery of Centre County Facebook web page, receiving 315 shares and quite a few feedback of well-wishes and hope of discovering her.
While leaving the state and beginning her new life, Etkin saved involved with just a few people from the Lock Haven space who had been tirelessly trying to find her misplaced companion.
One of those locals was Joy Russell. Russell has assisted with pet restoration in Clinton County for years, and is often the person folks attain out to when a pet is misplaced. She additionally owns Bark Around Town Pet Sitting in Clinton County.
“She really made it her mission to find Remi. We talked every day until Remi was found. I was trying really hard to not give up hope. She especially was so dedicated. I’ve never seen someone dedicate their time that much to helping someone else,” stated Etkin.
Another individual who actually helped with the preliminary search and getting the phrase out was Donna Smith.
Smith lived within the neighborhood, and did the whole lot she may to assist unfold the phrase about Remi being misplaced.
Etkin returned to Lock Haven a few days later to seek for Remi together with her mother and Russell, bringing together with her worn clothes, her favourite toys, treats and even a scrunchie to attempt to lure the cat out of hiding. The search was unsuccessful, and Etkin needed to go home empty handed as soon as once more.
“(Joy) was so knowledgeable and so helpful. This was on a weekend, too. She dedicated her time to searching for (Remi)… taking that time and helping to look for her was incredible,” stated Etkin.
It was round eight days later that Etkin acquired the information that she’d been hoping for.
Russell had labored tirelessly to seek out Remi within the days she was lacking, placing up cameras and hoping to seek out her.
“My cameras never did capture her. Thankfully in the end, Remi did all the work by going to a home,” stated Russell.
“We helped them look the day (Remi) ran. It was hard to see her, she looked just like the leaves. I was so worried… I knew stories that didn’t end so well. I am glad it had a happy ending,” stated Smith.
Remi had gone to the home of Tom and Marla Grugan, who set out a lure to catch the misplaced pet.
“(She) called me pretty early in the morning and said, ‘I think I have your Remi’ and my heart totally dropped. I just knew in my heart that she would come home. It was amazing. I called Joy immediately and let her know because she had been out there that morning calling for her,” stated Etkin.
Russell picked Remi up from the Grugan’s and took her home for the evening, with plans to take her to the vet.
“It’s always about the animal for me,” stated Russell about her dedication. “If I am contacted to help (I always go above and beyond.) Animals mean so much to me. (They) are so forgiving and loyal beyond any human.”
Russell took Remi to the vet, noting, “It was truly a happy ending when I took Remi to the vet (and) the only thing she got out of the ordeal was one tick.”
Despite being alone within the woods for round eight days, assumingly with little access to meals or water, Remi was in good well being.
Russell not solely ensured the cat was wholesome and comfortable, but additionally made certain that it was protected for her to return home.
Etkin, who’s immunocompromised from remedy of a power autoimmune situation, was blown away by the kindness of the locals. Not solely had so many banded collectively to seek out her misplaced cat, however as soon as Remi was discovered, Russell took the time to make sure Etkin’s security as nicely.
“I couldn’t believe how much dedication and time Joy especially put into this in caring for Remi like she was her own cat,” stated Etkin.
The unique Facebook put up was ultimately up to date with the next message, “Against all odds, Remington has been found safe. With SO much thanks to Joy Russell who coordinated this rescue, put in endless hours of work, and held the owner’s hand through seven heartbreaking days. Thanks also to Tom and Marla Grugan who actually trapped her at their home and to the other neighbors who were all so willing to help!”
“I felt so lucky that if this had to happen it happened in that area. Everyone really banned together and looked for her. I felt so guilty that she wasn’t in a carrier when I opened the door and that I let her out and didn’t get her. I was emotionally torn up and so heartbroken. It couldn’t have taken place in a more caring and angelic area,” stated Etkin.
The entire time Remi was with Russell, Etkin acquired image after image of Remi to reassure her that the cat was alright.
Remi is now protected at home with Etkin in New Haven, and has no plans to return to the forest.
“Remi is so thankful and gracious to be home. She is not much of a snuggler — she’s kind of wild and likes to play a lot. But that night she snuggled right up against my arm and was so sweet. I could tell she was so thankful for not giving up on her and bringing her home. It was a really angelic experience to have all of these people helping. They didn’t know me, I wasn’t from there, I was just passing through,” stated Etkin.
According to Russell, there’s a lesson to be realized right here, “When traveling with a pet, always have them secured in a vehicle.”
