Cats in Trees

We've all heard the jokes, cat stuck in tree, fire department comes to rescue. True. Well, not the fire department part that would have been handled by #2 son. I couldn't find Jack. Finally I could hear him faintly and went looking but couldn't find him. Then it got dark and I stood outside calling. THEN I heard him, a pathetic, something is really wrong howl. So we all went looking. There he was, about 20 feet up in a skinny, not very healthy tree. Of course it wasn't the huge maple in the front but a skinny 50 foot tree most easily accessed from the neighbors yard, where their dog poops all over the place. But that is another tale.

So #2 son got a ladder, propped it up against the tree to get to the branches and climbed, cat carrier on his back. It is dark. We've got three flashlights shining on him, Jack is meowing. I'm the only one thinking this is a bad idea, #2 son doesn't have health insurance right now and we will go broke if he falls out of that tree. Why did I never know that #2 son is afraid of heights? That would explain why he applied to the fire department but didn't go through the entire process.

Fortunately, he got within about 6 feet of jack, held open the cat crate and Jack few into it. He got it zipped and then stayed there for a few minutes contemplating his descent. We should have thought to put a rope around the crate so he could lower it down before climbing down himself - but that would have made sense. But of course he made it just fine, we put the ladder in our yard - it needs a good washing today along with some shoes ick.

Jack and #2 son came in, Jack ate until I thought he would burst, #2 son got the shakes, and apparently scrapped some skin off his shin and arm and didn't want to eat for quite some time. He finally calmed down, watched a movie and we'll see how he is doing this morning.

Of course the suggestion to leave Jack was immediately nixed, I have heard of people leaving cats in trees for days and they won't come down, one dumbass left his cat there so long it died. Next time though it is a tree service or the fire department. Will worry about embarassment later.