Marine United With Missing Cat after Four Years [Article and Video at source]

ABC 7 Eyewitness News ^ | February 1, 2016

[beaversmom]

Monday, February 01, 2016 11:21AM

BISMARK, ND --

It's a truth that cats don't always come back, but what if they come back, but the owner is gone?

The Connell family have lived happily in North Dakota since 2013, but a member of their family is missing: Hemi, their cat.

Robert Connell saved Hemi in 2009, when he found the cat on his engine block in North Carolina.

But when the Marine and his family moved to a military base, Hemi was believed lost. So naturally, the cat went looking.

"I was a little nervous about him not coming back, but I wasn't initially worried about it until, you know, about a half-hour, 45 minutes later, and he wasn't back," says Jennifer Connell. "I couldn't find him."

Four years and hundreds of miles away, a miracle.

A shelter in North Carolina found Hemi, who was identified because of a microchip.

Originally, a friend was going to fly him out, but after the recent blizzard derailed those plans, Robert got tired of waiting.

"Hemi went looking for me," Robert says. "I wanted to return the favor and go get him."

Four days and 3,400 miles separated Hemi from home, but it was no problem for this cool cat.

"He knows that I needed him, and that's why he was still around and that's probably why he went looking for me when they moved on base," Robert says. "He thought I was left behind."

Hemi has helped Robert deal with his PTSD, and he's much more than just a cat.

"This is a perfect time that Hemi comes back in our lives and I feel like our family is becoming whole again."

The Connells are moving into a new home next month. This time, the yard will be fenced in.

Related Topics:

pets

buzzworthy good news cats lost pet marines u.s. & world North Dakota

(Copyright ©2016 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.)

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[beaversmom]

[windsorknot]

Ahhhhhh!

[Twotone]

Happy kitty ping...

[rey]

Soft kitty, Warm kitty, Little ball of fur:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIp77PUvLTE

[Lazamataz]

I love the story, but WTF happened to weight regulations and requirements in the Marines???

[beaversmom]

I noticed that, too. I was wondering if he was no longer in.

[Slings and Arrows]

[MEG33]

.Happy reunion!

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

My bet is that he is no longer active duty.

[Titan Magroyne]

Oh that’s great, especially around the 1:25 mark on the video where Mr. Cool Cat is at ease, lounging in the car. Mellow furball, a Scratch Mah Belly kind of kitteh. Reminds me of my dear black boy Merlin, RIP.

[Bigg Red]

Hemi has helped Robert deal with his PTSD....

^^^
Robert is no longer on active duty.

[fella]

"WTF happened to weight regulations and requirements in the Marines???"

They got tossed when women in combat regulations came in.

[GBA]

"Hemi went looking for me," Robert says. "I wanted to return the favor and go get him."

Atta boy, Robert. Your heart is in good shape.

May Robert's inner wars be settled and his recovery be full and miraculous,
with our Holy Father's Peace restored to its rightful place within him,
and he within God's Plan.