Evening star., 1949-11-26
This and That
By Charles f. TraceweU

It is harder to get cat down from tree.
Notwithstanding upon the cat-than
it is to pull pussy out of the well.
Here Is resident of Arlington. A. c. NJ.
who writes:
The cat was in the tree-30 feet above
the mountaineering piteously. His girl
friend sat at the base Of the oak and gave
him moral support-little SOFT surshns
sounds interspersed with banshee walls.
"The chorus was disconcerting at hrst.
then as the sun went down the treed animal
became weary and hungry. and 20 afraid
Of the big jump downward.
Terror added q beseeching note to his
cry, and somehow. though I had often
chased him from nocturnal serenades he
knew ! was his friend and wanted to help
him.
II stood below the tree and placed my
hands on the trunk, patting and coaxing
the kitten He would pause, lean downward.
gurgle, meow, size up the situation and
give up.
Patiently worked with him until he
came from q higher perch down to lower.
though smaller. limb.
The tree had very few supports In the
way of branches and twigs and there was .
sheer drop Of 10 to is feet-on concrete
and the cat seemed to realize 1t.
Most cats can 60 up, usually propelled by
terror because Of pursuit by dogs. but they
can't back down q tree. Il taught my cat
how to back down, and she expects me to
show all her friends how. You should have
seen her directing operationsD
We'll, when the night heightened. and
the cat was still marooned, decided to call
for suggestions and help from the -.
the -, and the - and the -.
Very curtly, was given the following
answers: Get tree surgeon, costs about IS
or flo; I can't do anything about
that Let him alone. he'll come down.
etc.
II wonder II they would have been as un-
concerned If = child needed help I think
80, because people who have no time for the
helpless aniI.lals have no love for children.
II the organizations created for the purpose
Of aiding stricken animals have no more to
offer than . curt do-nothing, bored attitude.
just what is their function and excuse for
being7
'Well, getting back to the cat finally
called your phone number and talked with
q very gracious. understanding lady.
"She suggested that lure the cat with
hsh.
This I did, and it worked!
II tossed some fish up toward the cat.
and the heavenly Ito him) aroma made
him reckless.
"Hs landed on all four paws and headed
for the highway and home.
II want to thank her, and you, for being
30 helpful and understanding. Your column
should be on the front page, with headlines,
Keep up the good work. How far that
little candle throws its beam, so shines a
good deed In naughty world
~
4. -
The best way 10 help a cat to get down
from tree is to get hold of 1t when it is
a kitten and teach it how.
The cats claws curve so that they make
contact with the rough bark as 1t goes up
It must come down the same way, head
up, to get the claw contact right, but prob
ably five out Of i've want to come down
head first.
This position throws the smooth round OF
the claw against the bark, SO that the animal
slips. naturally enough, and when 1t feels
itself slipping 1t does what any one else
would do in such position. 1t draws itself
back and refuses to try again.
Since one cannot get hold Of all cats as
kittens, the next best thing-next TO lad
der and determined person-is to stand
at the base of the tree and try encourage
ment.
Some persons with soft. kindly voices have
a real knack at inducing waywsrd cats
to come down.
The next best thing. and often 1t turns
out to be the best Of ALL Is simply to place
plate OF salmon at the base Of the tree.
Salmon is odoriferous, and usually liked BY
cats. Often it will induce the animal to
come down In any way it can. II not the
proper way. then head first and tumble.
which Is much better than being up tree
Ill night,