Tara, the California cat who became a YouTube sensation after WRECKING a dog who attacked a small boy last week, has become a bona fide celebrity.
The feline hero "tossed out" a ceremonial pitch at the start of her hometown Bakersfield Blaze minor league baseball game on Tuesday night. Sort of.
She was even on SportsCenter. That's when you know you've made it.
Father Roger Triantafilo uploaded a video of a dog dragging his 4-year-old son, Jeremy, from his bicycle when Hero Cat ran to the rescue, saving the day.
Broadsiding the dog and chasing it away, Tara may have saved Jeremy's life; the video has since amassed more than 21 million views on YouTube.
Jeremy, who suffered a bite to his leg before Tara lunged to his aid, actually threw out the first pitch of the game before handing the ball to his beloved cat.
As the Sam Lynn Ballpark crowd cheered, parents Roger and Erica Triantafilo supported the cat's attempt to "throw" the ball to home plate by using her paw.
The Blaze then used fishing wire to give the baseball the appearance of flying through the air, delighting the crowd (of three times the average attendance).
"I was blown away. That cat is a hero," said Tab Rowles, who attended with his daughter, Tatum. "I almost thought that there was some mechanical cat."
"Being a mother, every time I watch (the video) it stops my heart for a moment," Erica Triantafilo said. "Things could have been much worse without (Tara)."
"We are just so thankful."
