This is terrible. I went down for lunch today, saw one of the cats at the back door (indoor cats we let out for a couple hours each day). Opened door to let her in, heard other cat YOWLING. I thought one of the bears had got him or something. Ran up hill of backyard (in PJs and flipflops), tripped on acorns on hill. Follow sound, to the right behind neighbors back fence.

There is a very steep hill/cliff area just over the crest of the steep hill that is our backyard. There is a tree about 12 feet down that cliff/hill. About 30 feet up that tree, with no branches underneath, is my cat.

Not just any cat, a cat who I suspect has some sort of… neurosis. He is afraid of everything, and randomly freaks out. Terrified of strangers, so even if I could get the fire department out,  I’m pretty sure he’d freak if he saw one of them coming and jump. Sigh.

No idea how long he’s been up there – parents must have let them out this morning. They must have been out for 4 hours by the time I found them. Parents not coming home tonight. Cat won’t come down on his own, despite my coaxing for an hour. He tries, looking for a way down, but won’t attempt to shimmy down the trunk. I’m afraid if he jumps he will break something. Sigh.

Currently hoping our painter neighbor gets home to help me prop a ladder up, which hopefully will reach far enough that he will use it to get down. Sigh.