Ptolemy

Ptolemy, a 2-year old, black and white cat, was patrolling his front yard as usual when he was suddenly surprised by a large dog running down the street toward him.  This did not look good, and the only option he had now was to climb the nearest tree.  Fortunately, he escaped the dog, but now found himself stuck up in the tree.  He was distressed, because he did not know how to go back down.

Daniel, Ptolemy's owner, chased the dog away and saw Ptolemy crying up in the tree.  Daniel tried to coax him down, but Ptolemy just didn't know how to do it.  Daniel propped a ladder up against the tree, but that activity and noise just made Ptolemy nervously climb up a little higher.  The ladder was not quite long enough to reach him anyway.

Even though Ptolemy had been in the tree less than an hour, Daniel wanted him down as soon as possible and called me.  I was pleased to learn that he was located only several blocks from me, so it would be nice to have a very short drive this time.

Ptolemy was in a tall pine tree in the next-door neighbor's front yard close to the street.  He was perched about 25 feet high on one of the lowest branches and crying in distress.  He clearly was not a happy camper and wanted down out of this tree.

I installed my rope easily and that activity did not seem to disturb him.  I began to climb up to him slowly and watch his reaction to my approach.  He continued to complain, but did not seem alarmed by my presence.  Once I reached level with him, he got more nervous and his voice changed to a more urgent tone.  Worried that he might try to climb up higher to get away from me in this very tall tree, I quickly moved up a little higher to discourage him from going in that direction.  I continued to try to calm him down and make friends with him.

He sniffed my hand and let me touch him.  He was not afraid of me anymore, but he wasn't happy to see me either.  He just tolerated me while he continued to voice his complaints about his plight.

Since I could touch him freely and Daniel had already told me that Ptolemy's few experiences with a carrier were unpleasant to him, I prepared the cat bag on my arm.  I calmly talked to him some more while petting him, slowly grabbed his scruff and lifted him off his branch.  I pulled the bag over him and secured him inside.

I brought him down and handed him to Daniel who took him inside the house and released him there.  Daniel and Ptolemy are both doing just fine now.