Rebecca Daynes was going about her usual day at home when she glanced out the window and froze. Something about what she saw didn’t feel right.
Her beloved cat, Mabel, was walking across the garden with what looked like a cable or cord wrapped around her neck.
Rebecca squinted, trying to get a clearer look.
Then, her heart sank. That was not a cord. It was moving.
Credit: Rebecca Daynes/ facebook.com
Turns out that it was a snake!
In a terrifying moment that felt like something out of a nightmare, Rebecca saw the snake tightening itself around Mabel’s neck. Panic kicked in, but she didn’t waste a second.
Mabel wasn’t just any cat. She had already been through more than most animals her size.
She had a brain tumour that affected her mobility, making her slightly unsteady on her feet.
Despite her condition, Mabel remained curious and bold.
Keeping her indoors was a challenge, and every so often she managed to sneak outside for one of her little solo adventures.
But this time, her curiosity had led her straight into danger.
Credit: Rebecca Daynes/ facebook.com
Rebecca bolted from the house, racing to the garden.
She grabbed the first thing she could find that might help a pair of kitchen tongs and sprinted toward her cat, who was struggling against the tight coils of the snake.
It was a scene that no pet owner ever wants to witness.
Mabel, frightened but barely able to move, was stuck in the snake’s grip.
Rebecca, trembling with fear but fuelled by adrenaline, reached in with the tongs and began trying to separate the snake from her cat.
It was not easy. The snake had wrapped itself so tightly that every attempt to pull it free felt like it might make things worse.
Credit: Rebecca Daynes/ facebook.com
But Rebecca knew she didn’t have the luxury of waiting. With careful movements and a heart pounding in her chest, she slowly unwound the snake from Mabel’s neck.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the snake finally loosened its grip. Mabel was free.
The snake, injured but alive, slithered away into the nearby bushland, leaving behind a very shaken cat and an even more shaken owner.
Rebecca scooped Mabel up in her arms and checked her carefully for any signs of injury.
Miraculously, there were no visible bite marks. But that didn’t mean they were in the clear.
Credit: Rebecca Daynes/ facebook.com
Snake bites, especially from venomous species, can sometimes take hours to show symptoms.
And Rebecca had a terrible feeling about the snake that had just attacked her cat.
She snapped a photo of it before it disappeared and sent it to her son and a local snake identification group.
The answer she got back made her stomach turn. The snake was an eastern brown, one of the most venomous snakes in the world.
A bite from one of these snakes can be fatal, even for much larger animals. Mabel had just survived an encounter with something incredibly dangerous.
But even after everything, Mabel was acting like nothing had happened.
Credit: Rebecca Daynes/ facebook.com
She was calm, alert, and even seemed a little pleased with the unexpected attention.
Still, the family was on high alert. They watched Mabel closely for the next 24 hours, taking turns to stay up and check for signs of distress or poisoning.
They looked for any change in behaviour, breathing, or movement, prepared to rush her to the vet at the first sign something was wrong.
But the signs never came.
Mabel remained her usual self. Curious. Brave. Slightly wobbly. And as bold as ever.
By the following day, she was back to exploring her favourite corners of the house, even trying to sneak out again, completely unfazed by the life-threatening incident she had just survived.
Rebecca, half-laughing and half-exasperated, shared, “She clearly hasn’t learnt any lessons.”
Credit: Rebecca Daynes/ facebook.com
It is this fearless spirit that has helped Mabel get through everything life has thrown her way.
From her ongoing health struggles to a literal snake attack, she continues to bounce back every time.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Rebecca said, “Between this and her brain tumour, I’m starting to think she’s immortal.”
Despite knowing Mabel’s time may be limited due to her illness, Rebecca and her family are just grateful for every moment they have with her.
The snake incident was terrifying, but it also served as a reminder of just how tough and resilient their little cat really is.
Credit: Rebecca Daynes/ facebook.com
“She’s been through so much,” Rebecca added, “and we’re just happy to still have her around for a little while longer.”
Mabel may be small, but she has proven to be a true fighter.
And no matter what challenges come next, one thing is certain, this brave little cat is not going down without a fight.
