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steve2470

(37,457 posts)
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 12:01 PM Sep 2016

This Cat Guided A Lost Man Down A Mountain In Switzerland

http://www.boredpanda.com/cat-guide-man-mountain-gimmelwald-switzerland/

One cat is determined to prove that it’s not only dogs that can work as rescue animals.

Redditor sc4s2cg claims he got lost in Switzerland while hiking and eventually ended up in an abandoned town. “I was checking my map to see how I can get back to the hostel, and the only official way down was through a trail that was closed,” he said. Right at that moment a kitty showed up and guided the man to the valley, constantly looking back to check if the tourist was following it.

After sc4s2cg shared his story, others responded about also meeting the same cat in the region (and they even had photos to prove it). Looks like this Swiss guide kitty is taking his duties seriously!

56 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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This Cat Guided A Lost Man Down A Mountain In Switzerland (Original Post) steve2470 Sep 2016 OP
If you keep following a cat long enough, House of Roberts Sep 2016 #1
^^^ THIS ^^^ BumRushDaShow Sep 2016 #4
Lol. SO true! Love the heroic pose snapped of this poseur, though. Hortensis Sep 2016 #39
Pretty kitty! Lucky hiker! liberalla Sep 2016 #2
some cats are like angels KT2000 Sep 2016 #3
When I was about 5 yrs old, one Sunday afternoon when I was depressed. anamandujano Sep 2016 #10
I had one like that. Duval Sep 2016 #18
they say that purring heals KT2000 Sep 2016 #19
When my cat sleeps above my head on a pillow,her purring relaxes me. DawgHouse Sep 2016 #50
Yes - and is it possible KT2000 Sep 2016 #53
Cats are subtle, but they're social and affectionate Hortensis Sep 2016 #40
I love this story lunatica Sep 2016 #5
My cat just bit me Cary Sep 2016 #6
The house? That would be the cat's house. Lochloosa Sep 2016 #11
Yeah Cary Sep 2016 #42
I just tried to shoo mine off the bed so I could finish watching something. Laffy Kat Sep 2016 #52
If she broke skin leftynyc Sep 2016 #38
Thanks Cary Sep 2016 #41
Mine didn't either leftynyc Sep 2016 #44
Same here CountAllVotes Sep 2016 #55
I've had 12 cats over the years, 5 remain with me now. Not a single one has bitten me. Maru Kitteh Sep 2016 #43
Me either. Agschmid Sep 2016 #46
She is generally a sweet kitty Cary Sep 2016 #47
Now how to we fit that small keg of liquor under kitties neck? Rex Sep 2016 #7
All a Saint Bernard will do is get you drunk. At least the cat gets you home. rug Sep 2016 #8
Getting drunk vs going home? You really don't understand moutaineering. FSogol Sep 2016 #13
Good kitty Liberal_in_LA Sep 2016 #9
Tuxedo cat wryter2000 Sep 2016 #12
"...he missed me, not meals." ailsagirl Sep 2016 #14
My kitty loved my lap wryter2000 Sep 2016 #32
Decades ago a roomate and I one dog each malaise Sep 2016 #16
Adopted a stray Tuxedo ... Auggie Sep 2016 #17
Every tuxedo cat I have ever known was brilliant. colorado_ufo Sep 2016 #20
Tuxedo tabby cat CountAllVotes Sep 2016 #26
So sorry to hear Maynar Sep 2016 #28
Thanks CountAllVotes Sep 2016 #34
That is truly heart breaking. I am so sorry that happened to you and to her. Maru Kitteh Sep 2016 #45
The company admits to nothing CountAllVotes Sep 2016 #48
That just brings me to tears. I am so very sorry for your pain. Maru Kitteh Sep 2016 #49
Organo-phosphates are potentially deadly to humans, too. That Joe Chi Minh Sep 2016 #30
Thanks for the info. CountAllVotes Sep 2016 #36
My kitty was a stray who lived in my yard wryter2000 Sep 2016 #31
Thanks CountAllVotes Sep 2016 #33
They are the best. I have a Tuxedo Cat TDale313 Sep 2016 #51
Agree CountAllVotes Sep 2016 #56
How lovely malaise Sep 2016 #15
I love kitties. And animals. And Kitties. KittyWampus Sep 2016 #21
Squeeeeeeeeeee shenmue Sep 2016 #22
Great story... HeartlandDem Sep 2016 #23
We look after a tuxedo stray GeoWilliam750 Sep 2016 #24
I've had special bonds with several cats. klook Sep 2016 #25
Great Guide Cat! burrowowl Sep 2016 #27
We were gone for a couple of weeks... Xolodno Sep 2016 #29
Such a touching story Lsantos04 Sep 2016 #35
very last bump nt steve2470 Sep 2016 #37
A Good, good Kitty. stage left Sep 2016 #54

House of Roberts

(5,171 posts)
1. If you keep following a cat long enough,
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 12:24 PM
Sep 2016

the trail will inevitably lead to either a bag of treats, or a can of food, that the cat needs help to open.

KT2000

(20,581 posts)
3. some cats are like angels
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 12:46 PM
Sep 2016

as this one is. I had one once who was a helper like this cat only she was a nurse for me.

anamandujano

(7,004 posts)
10. When I was about 5 yrs old, one Sunday afternoon when I was depressed.
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 02:32 PM
Sep 2016

The family cat and I were alone in the living room. I rolled a ball towards her and she just stood there. I started crying. Within a few seconds, she batted the ball back to me.

In all fairness, the cat was used to being ignored and must have wondered why all of a sudden I wanted to play. Throughout my life, my cats have gotten more and more attention as I realized how human they are.

 

Duval

(4,280 posts)
18. I had one like that.
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 07:01 PM
Sep 2016

If I had a hurt knee, or a tummy ache, he would jump in my lap and stay there, purring. Cats are intuitive. I love them.

KT2000

(20,581 posts)
19. they say that purring heals
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 07:08 PM
Sep 2016

when I could not get to sleep when I was sick, she would sit above my pillow and put her chin on my head and purr. If I was not asleep when she quit, I would pat her head and she would start up again until I was asleep. I love them too - especially Abby cat.

KT2000

(20,581 posts)
53. Yes - and is it possible
Sat Sep 10, 2016, 01:09 AM
Sep 2016

to think of anything when you are listening to a cat purr? I can't anyway - Zen indeed!

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
40. Cats are subtle, but they're social and affectionate
Tue Sep 6, 2016, 01:43 PM
Sep 2016

and do respond to the needs of those their family. Our elderly male cat still tries to groom the various burs and insects he's never found out of my nonexistent pelt, just in case.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
5. I love this story
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 01:20 PM
Sep 2016

If this has happened before maybe it's trying to get those messy, dirty humans out of it's rather large cat box. Cat's are finicky that way.

Laffy Kat

(16,381 posts)
52. I just tried to shoo mine off the bed so I could finish watching something.
Sat Sep 10, 2016, 12:06 AM
Sep 2016

And she ATTACKED me. She doesn't like to be told what to do and is the most willful pet I've ever been owned by. Knowing her, she'll be back in a minute and all will be forgiven, or more likely, forgotten.

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
38. If she broke skin
Tue Sep 6, 2016, 01:32 PM
Sep 2016

you need to go to the doctor. Dog bites are far less serious but cat bites more often than not get infected. Mine bit me accidentally and I had to go on two different antibiotics.

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
44. Mine didn't either
Tue Sep 6, 2016, 04:32 PM
Sep 2016

but after reading about cat bites, I went to the doctor and found it was really just a matter of time. If your doc is close by, give him/her a call.

CountAllVotes

(20,874 posts)
55. Same here
Sat Sep 10, 2016, 11:18 AM
Sep 2016

I have two other sibling cats. They were both on that flea sh*t too (was told by that liar pharmaceutical co. that I HAD to use it on all three cats -- one of said siblings was going toxic on me!). He bit me when I was combing him where that sh*t goes. I think he thought I was going to put that sh*t on him but those days are long over with now. A flea comb and keeping them indoors goes a long way!

How they hate that sh*t in that little tube that has the most toxic horrible odor one can imagine.

I don't blame him for biting me!

I ended up at the doctor and to the ER within one day of that bite and no that evil company did not pick up those three bills (one doctor and two ER bills = over $1,000). My hand was infected and huge/painful; almost needed to be IV'd to kill the infection. Not pleasant. Thanks a lot murders making the sh*t poison that is killing cats (dogs and harming people too it seems!).



Maru Kitteh

(28,340 posts)
43. I've had 12 cats over the years, 5 remain with me now. Not a single one has bitten me.
Tue Sep 6, 2016, 04:31 PM
Sep 2016

Even on the rather rare occasions when I've had to do some rather, uh, invasive things to them.

I don't understand how people get bit.

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)
46. Me either.
Tue Sep 6, 2016, 04:43 PM
Sep 2016

I brush my cats teeth so I am pretty familiar with her body language and even then I haven't been bitten.

Cary

(11,746 posts)
47. She is generally a sweet kitty
Tue Sep 6, 2016, 06:14 PM
Sep 2016

But when she's pissed, she's pissed. She wanted to be outside. I was leaving and didn't want her unsupervised because we do have coyotes.

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
7. Now how to we fit that small keg of liquor under kitties neck?
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 01:34 PM
Sep 2016

Saint Feline. Savior of lost souls in the mountains.

wryter2000

(46,051 posts)
12. Tuxedo cat
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 03:40 PM
Sep 2016

They're the best. Nicest cat I ever had was a tuxedo cat. He'd run to greet me when I got home, and one time when I went away for a few days he lectured me for minutes when I got back. Meow, meow, meow. My husband had been home and feeding him, so he missed me, not meals.

ailsagirl

(22,897 posts)
14. "...he missed me, not meals."
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 04:25 PM
Sep 2016

Alas, my cats pretend to miss me but it's FOOD they want when I get home. But I let them think I think
that they miss me.

wryter2000

(46,051 posts)
32. My kitty loved my lap
Mon Sep 5, 2016, 09:11 AM
Sep 2016

He'd walk away from food to sit in my lap. I think in a previous life he'd been a golden retriever.

malaise

(269,010 posts)
16. Decades ago a roomate and I one dog each
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 04:35 PM
Sep 2016

and I had an adorable cat named Pushkin. Pushkin was the boss. She'd climb on the top of the piano and dare them t come near. They got on really well. One weekend we went to spend the weekend at a resort and we took the dogs. I left loads of food for the cat. When we returned the cat let us know he was not amused. After that anytime one or both of us took the dogs for a walk, Pushkin insisted on coming.

CountAllVotes

(20,874 posts)
26. Tuxedo tabby cat
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 11:02 PM
Sep 2016

I had one too and she is now gone.

Poisoned by one of these "flea remedies".

Seems being they have white paws they could carry a gene that allow the poison to travel to their brains and kill them. It is a horrible way to go, believe me so don't use flea killers on your Tuxedo cat please!

CountAllVotes

(20,874 posts)
34. Thanks
Mon Sep 5, 2016, 10:11 AM
Sep 2016

I've been getting the word out ... or trying to do that.

I've met-up with dozens of pet owners and they are scared to death esp. if they are noting toxicity in their pets. This goes for dogs too with white legs/feet. Seems there is a saying among vets and it is, "Don't treat if they have white feet". I wish I'd known. She was the sweetest and wisest cat I'd ever had the pleasure to care for.

Maru Kitteh

(28,340 posts)
45. That is truly heart breaking. I am so sorry that happened to you and to her.
Tue Sep 6, 2016, 04:35 PM
Sep 2016

Did you speak with the company about it? It seems they should have a warning in the instructions.

CountAllVotes

(20,874 posts)
48. The company admits to nothing
Fri Sep 9, 2016, 04:57 PM
Sep 2016

An even worse scenario is going on with this flea/heat worm poison used on dogs. It has the same poison in it plus another one that is for heart worm and gee, that part of "it" is made in China. Are you loving this company yet? Do you happen to like dogs too? If so, BEWARE!

They could CARE LESS believe me. They are pigs of the worst imaginable sort IMO.

You do not want to go through what I am going though (PTSD it is called, and yes, that is how BAD it has been!) and we won't even dare to discuss what happened to my beloved cat.




Maru Kitteh

(28,340 posts)
49. That just brings me to tears. I am so very sorry for your pain.
Fri Sep 9, 2016, 09:31 PM
Sep 2016

For what it's worth, and this goes also for anyone reading, never be reluctant to seek some grief counseling for the loss of a pet. It is a very real loss and you should never be made to feel otherwise, or that you "should be over it" by now or any kind of nonsense like that.

The animals we live with are so often our most loyal friends and family. Grief takes time, and sometimes, it takes a little help, too.

Please take care of yourself, and thank you for spreading the word about this travesty.

Joe Chi Minh

(15,229 posts)
30. Organo-phosphates are potentially deadly to humans, too. That
Mon Sep 5, 2016, 08:26 AM
Sep 2016

Mad Cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalitis or BSE), I believe was discovered to be caused by a sheep-dip containing organo-phosphate.

A young farmer decided to study chemistry and obtained a doctorate. Apparently he noticed a similarity to a degenerative disease caused by an organo-phosphate in the research of a Japanese scientist.

The politicians didn't want to know. Well, there's a surprise. The intelligence services made his life hell, even to the point of burning down his house ! Big Pharma ... national security, don't you know. One of the biggest industries in the UK. Can't afford to be paying out compensation... or lose the mandatory milch cow, presumably.

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=flea+powder++degenerative+disease+neurotoxin

wryter2000

(46,051 posts)
31. My kitty was a stray who lived in my yard
Mon Sep 5, 2016, 09:09 AM
Sep 2016

He disappeared years ago. But thank you for the advice. I'll remember that if I get another tuxedo cat.

CountAllVotes

(20,874 posts)
33. Thanks
Mon Sep 5, 2016, 10:08 AM
Sep 2016

I've been in mourning for 3 mos. now and its not getting any better.

It is so horribly sad. My heart is broken right smack in half.



CountAllVotes

(20,874 posts)
56. Agree
Sat Sep 10, 2016, 11:23 AM
Sep 2016

Mine was so very sweet. She used to sing in her sleep and whistle when she was happy.

In the end however, due to the systemic paralysis, she could no longer meow nor purr.

HeartlandDem

(80 posts)
23. Great story...
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 10:02 PM
Sep 2016

I have no doubt that it's true. We have a cat that just goes crazy when we wander off our country property. She worries that we will run into trouble and waits by the fence until we return. Sometimes she's my momma, sometimes I'm her momma. They are that way

GeoWilliam750

(2,522 posts)
24. We look after a tuxedo stray
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 10:03 PM
Sep 2016

Somehow, I find it difficult to imagine him doing anything other than demanding more food

klook

(12,155 posts)
25. I've had special bonds with several cats.
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 10:42 PM
Sep 2016

They are wonderful creatures. Despite the bad rap that obtuse cat-haters try to lay on them, they're often very kind and loving.

The kitty who's been with us for the past several years is great that way. When I'm feeling down she'll lie on my chest or sit in my lap and purr.

I also love cats' sense of humor, and their fondness for ritual. They are such fun little beings. I hope I'm always able to have one or two as friends.

Xolodno

(6,395 posts)
29. We were gone for a couple of weeks...
Mon Sep 5, 2016, 01:51 AM
Sep 2016

...don't worry, we had a neighbor check in on them with food and water (and of course, litter). When we got home, the "alpha" cat was waiting to greet us, gave him a good rub down and then I asked "where's your brother?" He then darted down into the basement stairs half way, meowing and making sure I followed. He stopped again at the bottom to make sure I was following...then darted into a room where....his brother was sleeping on a chair...and he woke up excited to see us. Wife and I gave them both a good rub and some treats.

I know most quantify dogs as more "intelligent" due to training ability, but, how do you quantify intelligence due to independence? IMHO, cats are intelligent, just not in the way we expect them.

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