Clumsy Kittens: How Miki Fails at Climbing Bushes


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Miki on a low tree department

Hello, I’m Dr. Maja! Learn my introduction to study extra about me and Miki, the kitten who made me a cat particular person.

So, I’ve by no means had a cat earlier than Miki, and whereas being a vet working within the clinic for 9 years, I’ve managed to collect some opinions and kind prejudices about cats. I imply, they are often grumpy, bizarre and unpredictable, typically even imply to us vets and our nurses whereas we’re making an attempt to do “unthinkable issues” to them, like clipping their claws, and I can’t even depend the variety of instances I’ve been scratched and bitten. So you possibly can think about how I assumed I knew every little thing there’s to find out about cats. The great and the unhealthy. How flawed was I, I’m simply starting to understand.

However, I additionally pictured in my thoughts, how agile and sleek cats have to be. Climbing timber, leaping over fences, doing twists in mid air, catching bugs and prey, and way more. The quantity of instances we had an “escapee” contained in the clinic and session rooms, the acrobatics these cats would do, simply to cover within the tiniest of nooks and crannies, to keep away from having their blood taken or receiving injections.

Are All Cats Naturally Good Climbers?

Rescuing a little bit kitten, I anticipated he was going to be the prime instance of a reliable and agile little cat, making timber his residence, with the intention to get away from my curious however pleasant canines. After which actuality hit. This little kitten appeared to fail each time as he tried to climb a tree. And you recognize that feeling of embarrassment, when somebody does one thing awkward, and also you’ve seen it, and you’re feeling unhealthy for them, and also you additionally really feel unhealthy that you simply’ve really witnessed it. Effectively, that’s how Miki’s makes an attempt at climbing make me really feel. I simply fake I didn’t see one more try of him going up the smallest tree, not even 5 toes excessive, and clumsily holding onto it for pricey life. After which much more awkwardly half falling, half scrambling down, as there’s no nicer technique to put it.

Miki jumping up on a tree with Lava in the background
Miki trying to leap on a tree

You’d assume he’d get higher with time. Effectively, let’s simply say it’s been nearly a yr since this little fella got here into my life, and he’s getting a little bit bit higher, I ought to actually give him some credit score. However the confidence and feeling of satisfaction bursting from his tall posture as he will get as excessive as 10 toes now (sure, we acquired to 10 toes, whoo hoo) is simply priceless. If somebody had been watching us, they’d say we have to be loopy. Effectively, me particularly. Cheering Miki on as he climbs up, trying so filled with himself, after which pretending to not see how clumsily he finally ends up again down. However no less than I didn’t have to name within the Hearth and Rescue (but).

The place is Miki?

So think about my shock after I visited some mates within the metropolis for an evening. I left Miki residence alone, with sufficient dry meals for every week, three full water bowls, a GPS tracker on his collar (set to indoor movement detection), and a pet digicam. However don’t assume for a minute that I’m an anxious cat proprietor, no method. I similar to to verify every little thing is below management. He was locked indoors, because it was in a single day, and he normally sleeps indoors anyway, so his routine hasn’t modified a lot.

Miki on a tree branch used as a gate, wearing his GPS tracker.
Miki on a tree department used as a gate, sporting his GPS tracker.

Now image this. I’m out, eating with my mates, a false sense of calmness and pleasure on the surface, whereas worrying about him on the within, and infrequently peeking on the digicam. However there isn’t a signal of Miki in any respect. Not an hour later, and even after a number of hours. No movement in any respect. The concern formally kicks in. However there’s no method out of the home. There’s no meowing. His GPS tracker says he’s inside. A thriller.

Now, my home just isn’t but totally renovated, so I don’t have stairs in between the bottom ground and first ground, only a metallic ladder. So I return residence, open the door, and listen to Miki meowing to greet me. However the place is he? The little adventurer by some means managed to climb the ladder and went upstairs. However clearly, as climbing just isn’t his superpower (however he doesn’t comprehend it so let’s not spoil his second), he didn’t know the way to get down. He’s by no means completed this earlier than, and it hadn’t occurred to me he would attempt it. Because it seems, he isn’t so unhealthy at climbing, however he actually must work on coming down.

Miki on a wooden ladder in my house
Miki on one of many ladders at my home

Anyway, I realized via understanding him, that cats can and can shock us daily. Their conduct can’t be simply predicted, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable and heartwarming having them round. He’s introduced pleasure to my residence, and have become part of the canine pack nearly immediately. However he does have to work on his climbing abilities. Excited to see what the long run holds for us.

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