The curious nature of cats creates a need to discover the unknown. While it may seem felines are lazy and aloof creatures, deep inside in them rests a want for adventure, and one cat is showing us how its done.
Meet Gary, a courageous cat who craves the thrill of discovery. According to his Instagram bio, he’s “a domestic longhaired meowtain lion living in the CA Rockies” and he loves hiking the trails with his parents and dog brothers. Plus, Dad James captures the best photos ever so viewers can share Gary’s exciting adventures.
But getting Gary to “meowtain lion” status was a measured process. He was an eager cat, but his parents wanted to make sure he worked his way up to adventures in the safest way possible.
Learning Explorer Skills
James related he met Gary a couple years ago when he and Gary’s mom met. At the time, Gary was only a couple years old, but even then, the kitty boy craved exploration. “We started taking him out when he was about four after he’d escaped our apartment a few times—we decided if he wanted to explore outside he needed to be on a leash,” said James.
A smart move because if a cat gets spooked outside while not leashed, those jelly-beaned paws can carry them away in a hurry. And that’s when devastating things can happen. Gary’s parents took things slow and safe to keep adventure time a happy thing.
“My biggest advice for people who want to try something similar would be to go slowly and be patient,” recommends James.
“When Gary was starting out adventuring we would just sit together on our front step. We worked our way up incrementally from there.”
“As well, especially when starting out it was very useful to have a carrier or backpack with us. Gary could go inside if he ever got stressed or spooked when we were outside.”
A Move to the Mountains
Not long after Gary started his forays outside, the family moved to the mountains. Here, expeditions aplenty waited for the adventure crew. But Gary needed a little more preparation for the long hikes ahead of him.
Wandering the neighborhood and area parks, they practiced.
“We worked our way up to bigger adventures slowly, making sure to let him adjust to the new experiences before trying more.” It seems James’ tips are surefire winners, because now his 5-year-old kitty is a seasoned adventurer.
Follow Gary the Cat on Instagram and never miss one of his amazing expeditions.
H/T: www.mymodernmet.com
Feature Image: @greatgramsofgary/Instagram