This May Be the Most Heart-Wrenching Photo You Will See Today

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via
WNYC's Transmitter has posted this photo of a cat struggling to stay above the waters in Japan. It is apparently their most popular Tumblr post. If this doesn't make your heart ache at least a little, you have no soul. (Larger photo, with perspective, after the jump.)

Awwwww. Go home and hug your cats! (We hope this one made it.)

StrandedCat.jpg

Update: Via our commenters, it looks like this photo may have been taken before the tsunami -- although Tuesday was the 8th, not the 9th, which means the date may be suspect in the first place. At any rate, we hope for the best for this kitty, as well as every person (and animal) affected by the earthquake, tsunami, and aftermath.

Update 2: Sad Japanese Cat Is Reportedly Safe!

[WNYC via Nikki-Meow]



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26 comments
Liz Q
Liz Q

Pretty sure there is a video of this on youtube, the cat fell in

Sean
Sean

<3 <--- not wrenched.

dcsais
dcsais

Whatever the date could be or if the photo was taken before the earthquake, the picture only implies that even animals has their own way of surviving. Lets all just pray that all is well now in Japan. No one has predicted it and no one's to blame, it can happen to anywhere in the world so just be alert cause when catastrophes attack, "Your On Your Own'.

"We help Americans find jobs, prosperity and explore Asia. For details, visit http://www.pathtoasia.com/jobs"

TweetDeckTV
TweetDeckTV

Poor tiny baby! I want to fly to Japan and:A) Search for kids and people trapped.B) Help build shelters in non-fallout areas.C) Search for poor little kitties and pets left stranded.I hope Japan does right by it's citizens, unlike FEMA did for Katrina victims.

Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin

That's just taken at a canal in Koriyama City in Fukushima. Koriyama is a bit too far away to be affected by the tsunami.

neo67
neo67

This cat stands for all japanese: help us!

Lady_tifa4
Lady_tifa4

MV, your an ass....you can care about both as both are living creatures of god. I only see one f*cktard here and thats you.

Lehuot
Lehuot

9日(火) Means Tuesday the ninth. This photo was taken before the tsunami happened. Please remove this post, it's misleading and false.

justinslot
justinslot

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that say “9日(火)” down the bottom there? Which would date this as Tuesday the 9th, which would place it pre-earthquake, no matter what Tuesday it happened on.

PurpleStates
PurpleStates

If we go by the date of the picture/video, yes, this took place on the 9th (Tuesday). Either the chyron is incorrect, or the poster is.

mariodacat
mariodacat

That is another heart -wrenching photo. So very sad for the animals and humans in Japan. So very sad.

Frafjus
Frafjus

The cat reminds me that it's not just people who got swept away. Pets, strays, wildlife. The waves took anything and everything.

Millie
Millie

I think that in order to appreciate life we must have respect for it in all forms. Not to down play the human losses, but to see the innocence of even an animal challenged is heart breaking. I think that all lives are precious - regardless of size, intelligence, or species. However, I think it's a good example to represent Japan in the will to live. If even the smallest creature can manage to find a way to live, there is a way for others, too.

Lburris597
Lburris597

I feeling of helplessness. This breaks my heart.

Wallbird
Wallbird

Geez, since the photographer is that close why doesn't he rescue the kitty?

Queens Crapper
Queens Crapper

Never understood why some people assume that caring about the welfare of animals precludes caring about fellow human beings. You're supposed to care about both.

Jake
Jake

hang in there kitty! You got this!

Giles Rafol
Giles Rafol

Give new meaning to the old motivational poster. Seriously cat, hang in there (if you haven't been rescued yet)!

Juan ElDicko
Juan ElDicko

I dont hate it. I just prefer dogs. You can keep your soul nonsense to yourself.

Dellagate
Dellagate

Now I am going to be wondering if he/she made it, if anyone helped it - like whoever took the pics.

mv
mv

oh yeah, i mean I definitely care about the cat drowning rather than the thousands of people that are struggling to survive. heart is so wrenched because of this. F*cktard.

Jen Doll
Jen Doll

sorry you can't care about all of the above, mv, and instead have to write nasty things anonymously. but sure, you're probably a model citizen.

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