If you had asked Tara the cat what she had planned for the day she saved her four-year-old human friend from a vicious dog attack, she probably would have said, “Oh, sunbathing, languidly clawing at the humans when they walk past me, and complaining about the service at this restaurant — I mean, can you believe it? I can see the bottom of my food dish.”
She probably had no plans for tackling the neighbor’s dog, chasing him from the driveway, returning to check on the condition of her family’s son, and then launching into the Internet spotlight. But life — or at least a viral hit — is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.
Once an ordinary tabby cat who decided to adopt the Triantafilo family after following them home one day, Tara is now an Internet sensation and media darling. Last week, a video of her from surveillance footage showed Tara opening a can of whoop-ass after the neighbor’s dog attacked Jeremy Triantafilo, who has mild autism. The video — which some readers may find shocking — spread through the Web like wildfire. Now everyone is familiar with the heroics of Tara, who might just be the world’s greatest supercat.
Like every Internet celebrikitty, Tara now has her own Facebook page and Twitter account. She’s been living with the Triantafilos for five years — ever since she followed them home from the park and they decided to take her in. She immediately bonded with their son, Jeremy, and is said to have curled up in his crib with him.
Earlier this week, Tara was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Bakersfield Blazer game — well, as much as a cat can “throw” a ball. Attendees to the game received a half-priced ticket in exchange for any unused pet toys or unopened pet food to be donated to a local animal shelter or charity.
In an interview with the news, little Jeremy sits with Tara lounging beside him. She doesn’t flinch when Jeremy makes a wild gesture of excitement and exclaims, “She’s a hero!”
Tara is one badass kitty. It’s difficult to watch her and Jeremy together without feeling your heart grow. In a way, she’s a hero to all of us, showing us what love and loyalty can look like.
Has a cat ever saved your life? Let us know in the comments.
Read stories of rescue and love on Catster:
- The Story of Buzz and How He Got His Fuzz Back
- Chase No Face Is Just Like Any Other Kitty — Except With No Face
- Breaking News, You Guys: A Study Says That Cats Can Love!
About Liz Acosta: Catster’s former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site’s daily “Awws,” only now she also wrangles Catster’s social media. That’s why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and — her personal favorite — Instagram. See ya there!
