Rafa likely was n’t expecting his dangerous undertaking to end this way .
An audacious cat find himself in a parky spot after plunging 45 feet deep into a drain , where he was half - submerged in freezing moth-eaten piss for hours .
Rafa , aSiberianmix from Seattle , decided he was going on an adventure after he sneaked out the front door of his housethis past Aprilwhile his momlabored to bring some pizza box within . However , this spontaneous trek did n’t incisively go to plan .
Photo: Courtesy of Nationwide
Rafa ’s owner , Jose and Susan , noticed their computed axial tomography was escape after it seemed spookily quiet in their house . They correct off on a search right aside but had no luck . They resumed the next first light , and Susan finally heard miaul in the distance while call Rafa ’s name . The couple observe out the noises were get along from a nearby storm run out , so they involve to call for redundant help .
Neighbors , the fire section , Seattle Public Utilities stave , and Roto - Rooter employees all united to help write the ensnare , freeze feline . The cat , dub Puffy , had plummeted 45 foot down the sloping pipe , and he was up to his cervix in freezing water — and an incoming storm was blend to fill the pipe with even more water system .
The team had to play fast to get Rafa out safely before the storm arrived , but it was n’t easy . The team worked to cut down obstructing blackberry bush bushes , dig up the pipe , and cut the pipe open over the course of several hours . Thanks to their hard oeuvre , Rafa was last free and safe in Jose ’s weapon .
He was rushed to an pinch veterinarian properly away and was diagnosed with severe hypothermia and other complications . gratefully , after spend a week at the ICU , Rafa made a full recovery and was back to his boisterous self in no time .
Thanks to Rafa ’s dotty adventure , he earned theHambone Awardfrom policy supplier Nationwide . The Hambone Award is give to the most peculiarpet insuranceclaim of the year , as voted on by the world . Rafa ’s syndicate receive the winning pillage : a $ 1,000 gift menu , a $ 1,000 donation in their name to a pet Polemonium van-bruntiae of their choosing , and the ham - shaped Hambone Award trophy .
Rafa face some tough competition for the coveted award , quiver out 12 other candidate . His competition include an orange cat who became covered in spray foam insulation , a miniAustralian shepherdwho was sting by a jellyfish - character animal , aDoberman pinscherwho scuffled with a raccoon , and aSiamesemix who go for a whirl in the dryer .
Russell , a California shuffle - breed dog who cracked several teeth after fall face - first onto a concrete step , finish up in second place . Rex , ashih tzufrom Michigan who file a wishbone in his pharynx , appropriate the bronze . The crime syndicate of Russell and Rex were awarded a $ 500 gift card and $ 500 contribution in their name to a preferent charity of their choice .
Even with their serious injury , all the Hambone nominees have fully recovered .
