Cat rescued from death

By Gregg Wendorf
Advance News Journal

Sometimes, you just need a feel-good story to brighten your day. Post-pandemic, too many of us are still struggling with bouts of depression, as studies show.

In fact, according to a January 2024 U.S. Census Bureau survey, the percentage of people in the U.S. experiencing anxiety or depression remains double that of pre-pandemic (Covid) levels.

Double? According to a story published by Psychiatrist.com, research published in Pediatrics Journal indicates a significant rise in antidepressant prescriptions, particularly among adolescents and young adults, with a 63 percent increase after the pandemic’s onset.

More than double? I think I’ll stop there and move on to a feel-good story sent to The Advance this Tuesday via e-mail from our old buddy Ray Pedraza at TxDOT: “Good morning! I’m sharing an animal rescue for consideration. We’re grateful to our crew for saving the animal.”

Go, crew. “This past Friday, a sign crew from our TxDOT Brownsville Maintenance Section rescued a cat from a center barrier along I-69E, near the Boca Chica exit.”

Animal lovers are grateful. “Oscar Pantoja De la Garza, a new employee, spotted the animal clinging to a sign base, in between fast-moving expressway traffic.” In the picture accompanying this story, the cat does look pathetic, clinging to life.

“Fortunately, Oscar was able to remove the fearful feline from the center barrier and then reached out to a local animal rescue group to foster it.”

What would the world be like if not for people with a big heart?

“Oscar loves animals and shares that caring for a pet that can help children grow up more secure, active, and can provide valuable companionship for older adults.”

Indeed, in a world that is stained with so much darkness all around us, animals are one of the few things that can brighten anyone’s day.

Which is why The Advance runs weekly press releases, including photos, sent to us by the Palm Valley Animal Shelter and Cinderella Pets Rescue, both based in Hidalgo County.

On one hand, it’s a heartbreaker that there are so many homeless animals in this county and neighboring counties, while on the other hand, it’s heartwarming to know that there are still so many people in our communities willing and able to adopt a pet looking for a home, love, security.

Kudos to Oscar and the good folks at TxDOT.