PENAMPANG: "Even after getting into the boat, my four cats were still traumatised (after being caught in the flood that struck my home) and had also scratched me. But after I hugged them tight they seemed to have calmed down," said Dr Phoebe Ann Zepher Andrew Lucas.
The 30-year-old dentist received a lot of attention after sharing a photo of her hugging four cats that were rescued in a flood incident at her home in Kampung Kolopis here, last June 30.
The picture of Dr Phoebe Ann hugging her beloved cats named Miau, Tatwo, Lico and Latte that were terrified after being caught in the flood moved the hearts of netizens who also sympathised with the situation.
Reflecting on the incident, Dr Phoebe Ann said that she decided to wade through the flood with her father, Zepher Andrew for the sake of the four cats that she considers as family.
The eldest of four siblings said, at first, the flood water in her housing area was ankle-high and she decided to move her car to higher grounds. But when she returned home, the water was already knee-high.
"On the way home, I was surprised because the water was knee-deep.
"After sending mom Ivy Benjamin to a neighbour's house located on higher ground, dad and I went straight back home to look for the cats," she said, yesterday.
Upon arriving home, she found the cats stranded at a high place at the house, clearly distressed.
"I am grateful that not only my family, but all my four cats are also safe," said Dr Phoebe, who works at a private clinic.