So the other day, Joy (my wife) and I were over at her parents’ house, washing her car. Joy is allergic to cats, so the day Joy moved in with me, Joy’s mother got a kitten. (We got married ~6 months ago…)
Okay, story… As soon as I heard that “meow”, I knew she was not coming down on her own. I know the sound, it’s the “Help! I want my mommy!” sound…
..Those of you who aren’t cat owners may just think it’s an old cliche, but yes, cats do get stuck in trees. Especially trees like this. If you’re a guy like me living in Orange County, you know that Italian Cypress trees are NOT the kind that are fun to climb. To imagine an Italian Cypress, think of a Christmas tree when it is all tied up for when you drive it home. Imagine that Christmas tree being so tied up, there’s hardly ANY air or empty space left between the branches. Then imagine that 30 seasons worth of pine leaves have grown and died and packed themselves into the folds of this tightly wrapped tree…
That is an Italian Cypress. Okay, how about some visual aid? I’d better get the embarrassing photo over with first…
Now do you see what I mean about the dead pine leaves? …After about one hour of climbing and digging through the tree, I found Lily. If you look carefully, you can just see the tip of her ear poking out. There was just one problem that I had overlooked- How do you get the cat down when you need both your hands to climb? Especially when the cat is REALLY not interested in you touching her? Minor details… That, and the fact that my arms were getting tired. (My right arm is still sore, 5 days later…)
…It just so happens that Joy’s parents have a pool, and I had a crazy idea. Hey, we used lots of tape!
…And after about 90 minutes, there’s Lily! Poor thing!
…And that’s what the tree ended up looking like. Oops.
…What else would a cat do after such an ordeal?
…And there’s Lily’s friend, Mr. Bun Bun… She’s going to have to wait a little before they let her outside again though.
by Matthew Saville
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