STALKER (PA) -- John Wayne to the rescue. The narrative is a familiar one for fans of Westerns, who were left in awe by the late actor's actions.

But this time, it wasn't the actor, but Jon Wayne, owner of JW Forestry in Fremont Center, whose heroics made a difference for someone who needed help. He reunited a local woman, Sylvia Hummel, who owns Sometimes A Great Notion antique shop in Callicoon, with one of her beloved cats, Sammy.

On Monday, Wayne climbed approximately 70 feet up a tree to rescue Sammy, who had been missing for nearly two weeks.

Hummel says her Sammy likes to go outdoors and sometimes stays out all night. But he always comes home.

However, she knew when he didn't return by the second night, something was wrong.

For 12 days Hummel scoured the surrounding terrain which included back roads, the river, hills, etc. After about a week of finding no leads, she began to fear for the worst.

“He's the most darling thing I've ever had except for children,” said Hummel. “I was completely heartbroken.”

On Saturday, Hummel noticed there was one location she didn't check, a driveway off of Minkler Mountain Road. She drove up it and met with Sue and Ron Owens at their home asking if they'd seen a cat.

Sue noted that she thought she had recently heard a cat when gardening, but figured it was a bird.

Hummel said her eyes widened and together they looked on the property for Sammy. After calling for him, they discovered Sammy was stuck in a tree, about 40 feet up.

Hummel camped out at the Owens' property most of Sunday and called someone to attempt to climb the tree and get Sammy. The first person to arrive to help was Jordan Maxwell who came right away with his chainsaw.

As he made his way up the tree, Sammy got spooked and continued to climb higher. While Maxwell was unable to get Sammy, it was a valiant and appreciated effort as his clearing of smaller limbs would make Wayne's journey a bit easier.

Hummel reached out to Wayne, who supplies her with wood, and he got in touch with her on Monday morning.

With his tree climbing boots and some rope, Wayne made his way up the tree with a duffle bag attached. As he made his way up, Sammy walked out further on a small limb, adding to the suspense of an already unnerving experience.

Wayne remained calm and skillfully gained Sammy's trust. According to Hummel, at one point, Wayne had both hands off the tree so he could grab Sammy and put him in the duffle bag.

Finally ... the ordeal was over.

Sammy, a black cat that isn't even two years old, is described as friendly, cute, very outgoing and fearless, sometimes stalking deer on Hummel's property.

Despite that fearlessness, Sammy is a bit traumatized by the experience and has been limiting his activity at home. However, he is happy to be reunited with his best friend, often lying in her lap. The two have grown close during the pandemic.

Hummel said the support she has received from everyone during the trying two weeks was “incredible.”

Hummel added that she is eternally grateful to Wayne for his retrieval of Sammy.

“I've been telling people I would not have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes,” she said.

Like the famed actor, when it comes to saving cats, this wasn't the skilled forester's first rodeo.

“He was so modest,” said Hummel. “He's rescued many cats.”