Tornado is learning about being an outdoor kitty. Not that she goes out at night; even with protective coloration, I don’t trust her to avoid coyotes and the like. But the past couple of days, she has discovered Trees. After the day she panicked and ran halfway up a maple before she realized she could, she’s been testing this new found skill. So far she’s very good at “up”, but not so skilled at “down”. She mews, and tries, but hasn’t thought to back down. You can see what she’s thinking. “Mom? These things on my toes got me up here, but now they’re curved the wrong way.”
Yesterday our boychick sounded the alarm as he was waiting for the bus. He went on his way to school quite worried about his kitten, but within about 5 minutes I’d gotten a 2-step stool. Thus raised, she could jump from branch to shoulder without problem, and thence to the ground. She probably could have done it in one leap, but she was cautious. Today, though, she went far higher, then jumped down…onto the roof. So she couldn’t get back into the tree, and she couldn’t get herself down. She kept going around the house, mewing and peering over edges. Finally I went up the step-ladder and called her, and bless her little furry heart, she came right up to the edge. There was a slight panic because I had to lift her from an odd angle before I could get a hand fully under her, but she didn’t really try to claw me, and once folded into my arms and against my chest (and under my cloak) she settled down. That was a good thing; I really did prefer at least one hand for getting down that ladder.
So there it is. I’ve rescued kittens and small children from trees and similar high places since my teens, and here I am, at it again. At least this time I didn’t climb the tree itself after the small adventurer. But y’know? When I’m a bit lighter, it might be fun to try that again too.
He he – I consider myself lucky that none of mine have tried this so far! One tactic I’ve heard for teaching them how to get down is to use a leash and harness to keep them from getting too far up, and let them climb part way up the trunk, then help them to back down it – usually once they’ve done it that way once it clicks and they won’t get stuck.
Good luck with your kitty! She sounds adorable!