We take our Bengal Makena out for a walk every day when weather permits. Winters are tough on Makena, his thin fur doesn't tolerate cold temps and deep snow, so walks are sometimes limited. We had a warm day yesterday and Makena and I went out for a long hike. The temperature was a bit lower than Makena would be able to tolerate for a long hike and there was rain in the forecast: I fitted Makena with his waterproof winter jacket
Hiking with Makena is different than walking a dog. Makena wants to do "cat stuff" when he is out.... like stopping to check a possible mouse nest
or stopping to scent mark near the scratch marks of a feral...
or exploring a pile of downed brush where chipmunks hide
Makena could be trained to walk like a dog, but that never appealed to me. Makena is a hybrid and I want to see what the wild part of him is all about, to learn what interests him. So we compromise, Makena knows we will, at times, just walk or jog. But he knows we will stop if something interests him. Makena has learned I can't follow him under thick brush or on really slippery surfaces (I don't have four paw drive and retractable claws for traction!) so he investigates those areas to the extent of his retractable lead, then trots back to me.
We work together to pick a path to follow. To whatever extent possible, I let him lead.
We wound up at a noisy tumbling creek, a place we both enjoy.
I sat on a rock while Makena explored the creek. Makena caught a chill, he climbed on my lap and I tucked my jacket around him. We watched the water together until he warmed up.
Makena had enough exploring and he led me toward home. No matter how long we are out or how far we go, Makena always knows exactly how to get back home (or to the car if we are in a park.)
As we made our way back, the rain started. Makena, mad about the rain, laid his ears back and phoofed up his tail.
We took a shortcut through an area with a lot of stickers, rather than have his lead get tangled, I put Makena on my shoulder. Angry at the rain and angry at not being left to walk, he let out a long low hiss, I could feel his hot breath on my ear. As soon as the hiss stopped - he started purring because he was warm on my shoulder and he likes the view from higher up. I could only laugh because I knew the hiss was just frustration and not directed at me.
We got home just as the rain began to get heavy, Makena stomped along our walk, eager to get inside.
Makena went to have some lunch and I left his jacket and harness by the wood stove to dry.
Not much I enjoy more than a hike with Makena.
Eric
Hiking with Makena is different than walking a dog. Makena wants to do "cat stuff" when he is out.... like stopping to check a possible mouse nest
or stopping to scent mark near the scratch marks of a feral...
or exploring a pile of downed brush where chipmunks hide
Makena could be trained to walk like a dog, but that never appealed to me. Makena is a hybrid and I want to see what the wild part of him is all about, to learn what interests him. So we compromise, Makena knows we will, at times, just walk or jog. But he knows we will stop if something interests him. Makena has learned I can't follow him under thick brush or on really slippery surfaces (I don't have four paw drive and retractable claws for traction!) so he investigates those areas to the extent of his retractable lead, then trots back to me.
We work together to pick a path to follow. To whatever extent possible, I let him lead.
We wound up at a noisy tumbling creek, a place we both enjoy.
I sat on a rock while Makena explored the creek. Makena caught a chill, he climbed on my lap and I tucked my jacket around him. We watched the water together until he warmed up.
Makena had enough exploring and he led me toward home. No matter how long we are out or how far we go, Makena always knows exactly how to get back home (or to the car if we are in a park.)
As we made our way back, the rain started. Makena, mad about the rain, laid his ears back and phoofed up his tail.
We took a shortcut through an area with a lot of stickers, rather than have his lead get tangled, I put Makena on my shoulder. Angry at the rain and angry at not being left to walk, he let out a long low hiss, I could feel his hot breath on my ear. As soon as the hiss stopped - he started purring because he was warm on my shoulder and he likes the view from higher up. I could only laugh because I knew the hiss was just frustration and not directed at me.
We got home just as the rain began to get heavy, Makena stomped along our walk, eager to get inside.
Makena went to have some lunch and I left his jacket and harness by the wood stove to dry.
Not much I enjoy more than a hike with Makena.
Eric
