Found cat in West Duluth

Paul Lundgren Apr 07, 2013 17 Comments

The poor dummy is high up in a tree on the Western Waterfront Trail just south of Indian Point Campground. I invoked the Fire Dept., but the location of the tree was determined to be too tricky for rescue, and, so I’m told, cats always come down on their own … eventually.

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17 Comments

quirtep

about 12 years ago 

I always thought that was an urban myth, or something from the quaint "good old days."  It's interesting to know that the fire dept at least attempted it.  I hope the cat made it down safely.  Up is always easier than down.

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

I think the myth part is that cats are totally unable to get down from a tree, but the truth part is that it is indeed much more difficult for them to get down than up, and they hate doing it and are hesitant to try.

As one of the firemen put it: "Have you ever seen a dead cat in a tree? No? That's because they always get down."

emmadogs

about 12 years ago 

Did you try food?  It always, always works for our dogs.  

If you rattle some delicious tidbits around in a measuring cup, while enticing in a hopeful fashion, "here kitty ... here kitty ... come on down" -- maybe in a high pitched, sing-songy voice--that might work.  In any event, be sure to post it so we can all chant along with you/and-or mock you.

In the meantime, I hope the poor cat found his/her way safely home.

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

I decided to go for a slushy run on the trail today and check up on the treed cat. Sure enough, she was still there.

I figured I'd maybe come back and try the enticement-with-food trick, but about a quarter mile up the trail I jogged past two guys walking along and decided to take a chance and ask if they knew of anyone in the neighborhood looking for the cat. As luck would have it, I was asking the owner himself, who has been looking for this cat for about five days. He actually walked right under the tree she was in about five minutes earlier and didn't notice her.

I brought him to the location and he called to her, but she didn't come down, so he's going to get a ladder and attempt to get up into the tree. I told him not to break his neck and he assured me he could manage that.

Anyway, it looks like after what was probably a four-night stay in a tree, this adventure is coming to a close.

quirtep

about 12 years ago 

Wow! Serendipity! I actually googled this morning about fire departments and cat rescues, and one of the first sites said that firemen tend to dismiss cats in trees by saying, "have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree." That prompted me to think that dead cats probably fall out of trees. Four days is a long time. I hope she's OK.

quirtep

about 12 years ago 

And, cats' claws are curved, fish-hook-style, which is part of why it's difficult for them to get down; they have to do it backward, usually.  I do hope she is OK, and that the owner doesn't maim himself in the process of rescuing her.

emmadogs

about 12 years ago 

Good luck, Cat Guy!  

p.s. Paul, you are a friend to all cats.

emmadogs

about 12 years ago 

By the way, what ever happened to your raccoon friend from last year?  Any sign of The Raccoon Family this year?

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

Do you mean the porcupine?

BadCat!

about 12 years ago 

Poor kitteh! I hope he makes it back home safe.

Typically, cats will descend from trees head-down going from branch to branch. Looks like there are plenty of branches for him to use, but he's just scared/stubborn.

Even if he does fall, cats are capable of falling from heights without hurting themselves (mostly).

FranceneStarr

about 12 years ago 

On behalf of cats and cat people everywhere--thanks Paul.

emmadogs

about 12 years ago 

Oops. Yes I meant the porcupine! There is a slight difference between the two animals.

Anyway, is the porcupine back?

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

Yeah, it turns out the porcupine kind of played a role in the discovery of the cat. I thought the cat was a porcupine at first. 

But mainly I have been keeping my eyes up for owls. I have yet to see one this winter, despite the owl irruption. A cat is a strange consolation prize.

Anyway, Porky is indeed back. I noticed a porcupine in a tree about a quarter mile from the West Duluth Porcupine Hotel and thought Porky had relocated, but in recent days I've seen a porcupine in the hotel. Generally I just pretend all the porcupines in the neighborhood are the same one, because it would take a keen eye to tell the difference.

emmadogs

about 12 years ago 

Maybe try Stony Point for owl sightings.  At least last month, Mr. Emmadogs the Birder saw several, although none as sweet as the previous post about the sleeping owl (can you call owls 'sweet'?  Maybe not from the mouse point of view).

In the meantime:  welcome back West Duluth Porcupine Hotel!

FranceneStarr

about 12 years ago 

Any news on the cat -- is it home?

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

I'm assuming so. I didn't stick around for the rescue mission. The owner had to leave to get a ladder and he assured me he had help and didn't need me.

Emily Haavik

about 12 years ago 

Paul, nobody believes your crazy stories anymore.

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