Dianella resident Esther Kacev with her life saving pet feline Buddy who enjoys a friendly tickle.
Camera IconDianella resident Esther Kacev with her life saving pet feline Buddy who enjoys a friendly tickle. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Cat-astrophe averted by Buddy

Staff ReporterEastern Reporter

Buddy, a rescued stray and the feline friend of breast cancer survivor Esther Kacev, attracted widespread attention earlier this year based on the pair’s heartfelt story , which includes two cancer diagnoses.

Mrs Kacev said since the Eastern Reporter broke her story, she and her furry friend had been inundated with shows of support and she could not believe her little story had made national headlines.

‘Life is back to normal, but not before there were several television appearances, national publications and now the book,’ Mrs Kacev said.

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‘Surprisingly, quite a few people have recognised me and while Buddy doesn’t know he is famous, I keep telling him he is.’

Mrs Kacev, a mother of three, rescued her precious cat Buddy many years ago.

She had received three appointments to attend a mammogram but cancelled at the last minute believing she was fit and healthy.

The self-confessed fitness fanatic said it was not until she noticed Buddy continuously around her and smelling her that she remembered she had read somewhere animals could sense illness.

‘I never in a million years thought it would happen to me; in fact, I had turned down previous appointments because I felt so well and it wasn’t in the family,’ Mrs Kacev said.

‘It was then that I thought maybe I should go for a mammogram and that’s how it was detected.

‘My kids always say that I rescued that cat and now the cat has saved me.’

Unconditional Love: Pet Rescue’s Great Animal Stories features nearly 100 stories about rescue animals and their tales of heroics, survival and companionship.