Hiking With a Cat – Photo Essay

I learned an important lesson last Friday. Hiking with a cat is quite a bit different from hiking with a dog. It’s a lot slower process, and it shocks the heck out of people you encounter on the trails. Meet our friend BUG … the adventurous kitty from Wisconsin.

Bug has now hiked in 5 different states. She is a super social, unflappable kitty. At about 18 months old, she weighs just 6 pounds. I’ve blogged about her before, but I finally got to meet Bug in person. Bug hikes. She camps. She travels the country by car and plane. Bug is even learning to ride a paddle board, while wearing a tiny, homemade life vest.

She came to Colorado with her favorite person, Dr. Ken Lambrecht from Westside Family Pet Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. He was in Colorado for a veterinary meeting, and he made time to visit me and Lilly in the canyon.

Lilly stayed in the car because even though she was feeling really well last week … I did NOT think she was up to a real hike of any distance. BUT, Lilly and Bug poked around together afterwards.

best dog blog, champion of my heart, hiking cat
Bug, the mighty predator
best dog blog, champion of my heart, hiking cat
Bug seeks a safe spot from dogs hiking by
best dog blog, champion of my heart, hiking cat
Bug considers a nap mid-hike
best dog blog, champion of my heart, hiking cat
Bug tries a little rock climbing
best dog blog, champion of my heart, hiking cat
Bug watches Lilly below
best dog blog, champion of my heart, hiking cat
Just a couple of girlfriends on a hike (notice Bug on the rocks above)
best dog blog, champion of my heart, border collie hiking
Lilly watches Bug scale the rocks

I’m trying really hard to MAKE time to see friends. Since Ken and Bug were only in town for the weekend, I ditched work for a couple of hours to get outside with my puppy-girl and to meet this amazing kitty.