A LOCAL cat is in the running to win an award at the National Cat Awards after saving the life of a toddler who was choking on food as she slept.
One night in November last year, Melksham parents Sophie Hellyer and Mike Sawyer were woken by their cat Pixie who was acting out of character.
Describing the frightening event Sophie said, “Pixie was darting up and down the hallway and I was worried that she would wake up April. So I tried to calm her down, but she kept running up and down my bed and darting back to April’s room.
“I got up and followed her and realised that she was going around in circles outside April’s room. So I opened the door and I found April keeled over and she couldn’t breathe.
“I screamed for Mike to help me and got April out of the cot. Mike came in and hit her on the back and after several attempts she brought up some cut up grapes that she had for lunch that day.”
Wanting to make sure that their daughter April, who was 15 months old at the time, was okay, the family stayed up with her for an hour before putting her back to bed. “We just sat there in shock. Pixie soon calmed down. We couldn’t believe what had happened,” said Sophie.
Pixie’s heroic behaviour that night was of no surprise to Sophie. “Pixie and April are best friends, their bond is amazing. If April is upset, Pixie will come running in and brush up against her and April will calm down.”
After hearing about the national competition organised by the charity Cats Protection through a hairdressing client, Sophie nominated Pixie for the Hero Award and soon found out that her cat had been shortlisted for the final.
Sophie and Mike will find out if Pixie has won when they attend the awards ceremony at the Savoy Hotel in London on Thursday 3rd August. Looking ahead to the night, Sophie said, “I’d like to say that Pixie has a good chance of winning.”
Win or lose, Pixie will always be treated like a queen by her owners. “She gets all the treats and extra cuddles. She is very special to us. I can’t wait to tell April all about it when she is older”
