Posted on 08/30/2015 12:36:39 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Renton house cat seems to think he's a dog, and his exploits on local hiking trails is earning him celebrity status online.
Move over birds and hikers; there's a new cat in town, and he walks the backcountry trails like any hiking dog would -- like he was born to hike.
"We think he might be part dog," said Anna Wilson.
His name is Paddington. His parents, Bryan and Anna Wilson, got him at the Seattle Humane Society as a kitten last summer, where they instantly detected his courageous spirit and their connection.
"Kittens can be cute and cuddly and just stay there, but not him, he really wanted to explore the world," said Bryan Wilson.
This indoor cat seemed to yearn for the outdoors.
He went from the backyard to the local park to Cougar Mountain last summer and has been hiking regularly ever since.
"I thought it was like the coolest thing in the world, really," said Bryan.
He's done dozens of hikes, and averages about a mile of hiking. His longest hike was two and a half miles. When he gets hungry, he eats, said Bryan, who has a backpack for "Paddington's stuff."
And when this furry friend-to-the-trail gets tired, he rides his daddy's shoulders.
His proud parents have been documenting his adventures on Paddington's own Instagram and Facebook pages, which include videos of him swimming, boating and playing with dogs.
"He kind of has a local celebrity status," said Anna.
He's a bit of diva too, always ready to pose. His first pose was minutes into the Cougar Mountain Trail, when he raced up to the top of a seven-foot boulder and looked like King of the Mountain, holding court for about five minutes.
"He's so proud up high," said his mom.
Then he took off up the trail and struck a pose on a fallen mossy log for a nice long stretch. Later he climbed up onto a fallen tree and walked the trunk-plank onto the high end of the trunk, which was suspended 10 feet up above the trail. There he played a quick game of peek-a-boo with Bryan, who hid behind another nearby tree.
For Paddington, every day is "Caturday." Hikers can't believe his hiking prowess and can't keep away.
"Boy, sure is friendly. Wow, he's ready to go," laughs Ron, a fellow hiker that Paddington encountered on the Cougar Mountain.
Dan said he has a cat just like Paddington, but his Tuxedo cat is a "porch cat" and would be freaked out to ride in the car, let alone hike the back country.
Paddington knows what he wants and it's obvious that he gets it. The Wilsons think they picked him, but something tells us Paddy picked the Wilsons.
"He's the perfect cat for us, we're so lucky, that we picked him," said Anna.
Something tells me Paddington would go out fightin - to the end
If the cat identifies as a dog, then it is racist not to refer to it as a dog
One of my cats is a tuxedo cat, but the only dog-like thing she does is play fetch.
“His parents, Bryan and Anna Wilson.” You mean he was born a human and transitined into a cat?
Now that they are grown, I worry less, but they have to be in at night, otherwise the coyotes would get 'em.
Last night my cat told me he didn’t want to be called a cat anymore. He said that from now on he wanted to be known as a ‘’Feline-American’’.
“celebrity status”, “bit of diva”, “so proud”, “knows what he wants and it’s obvious that he gets it”
These descriptions sound so familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it….hmmmmm.
Your cat sounds like a real pussy.
I once saw a hawk flying over me with a squirrel in its grips. It had the critter facing forward. I’m guessing it was for the same of aerodynamics.
I had a big mean Siamese tom who escaped coyotes twice. I was more afraid of the resident bobcat.
‘sake’ not ‘same’
And my Jimmy, otherwise known as ‘Devil Spawn’.
-JT
Our cat is into Martial Arts. He studied Cat Fu at the Meow Lin Temple.
I had a similar experience with a feral I developed an attachment for. I trapped her and got her fixed. She was outside and wild longer than yours...but when she decided to transition inside...it was all over. I couldn’t have forced her outside if I had wanted to...but I didn’t want to. Very polite kitty. Never made a mess, tore anything up or caused any ruckus. She did become disgruntled if Wheel Of Fortune wasn’t on...must have like the colors. I was amazed how smart she was to make the switch. And had enormous respect that she was able to survive outside as long as she did.
I really think the kitty in the original story was just being it’s natural self. :)
I think that would be ‘specist’.
There’s no such thing as ‘race’.
-JT
Don't put too much thought into it, this is just a cat story..........
His parents, Bryan and Anna Wilson....
**
Okay, I stopped reading right there. His owners are not his parents.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.