The flooding situation in Waltham continues. Just when we thought that the Ottawa River was beginning to crest and the water levels began to drop they suddenly began to rise again. Residents were shocked and dismayed, their hopes dashed.
Everyone was planning to return to their homes and start the clean up and repairs that the flood waters have made necessary.
In the midst of this chaos and turmoil, a local resident noticed a cat that was stranded on a small island that was once part of Chemin du Traversier. The poor fellow could not escape from his tiny strip of pavement as he was surrounded by very deep water.
He had no supply of food and flood waters were continuing to rise each day. The Waltham Fire Department was alerted to the situation and they investigated on Wednesday as they did their security check of the flooded residences. The cat could not be seen and it was decided to leave out some food as the animal was most likely hiding under a travel trailer which was on the little strip of pavement. When the firefighters returned the food was gone and the cat was hiding again.
The fire department contacted the Pontiac’s SPCA. They provided a cage and some cat food and assisted with placing it on the little island. The next day, our shy little cat was in the cage and on his way by boat to safety. The SPCA took charge of him and he is now in their care. The Waltham Fire Department have rescued a number of residents by boat over the past three weeks but this was the first time a cat was among the rescued.
I hope that everyone enjoyed Mother’s Day as much as I did. Mike, Mikaela and Ben were here from Embrun, Ont. Sadly, Jodi and Alex could not make it as Alex had baseball this weekend. On Saturday, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at L’Ancienne Banque. Our Sunday mass was very meaningful. Rhonda Perry paid tribute to all mothers and read a beautiful poem, Bella Gale and Jaycie Harkins presented each mother with a carnation. Afterwards, we enjoyed a tasty brunch at the Waltham Station. Rhonda and I had a leisurely day and we were treated to a steak barbecue for dinner.
Special birthday and love wishes are extended to dear Aunt Mary Spence who is celebrating a birthday today and our dear Mark. We hope that you both have a wonderful birthday.
Birthday wishes and love are extended to my brother-in-law Jim Quenneville of Cornwall, Ont. who is celebrating a birthday on May 16. We hope that you had a good one Jim.
This coming weekend is the first long weekend of the summer. The campers are gearing up. Many people who were spared from the flood will be planting their gardens, working in their flowerbeds and lawns. I hope that everyone has a safe and a happy long weekend. Hopefully the weather will be nice.
