Meet Casper, A Gorgeous Maine Coon Who’d Rather Climb Mountains Than Nap On The Couch

We all know about the long-standing rivalry between dog lovers and cat lovers. Both sides have strong, convincing reasons for their preferences and stand firm in defending them.

One of the most frequent arguments from dog enthusiasts is that dogs make better companions because they can join their owners on various adventures.

However, today’s main star, a cat named Casper, would definitely challenge that idea! Let me introduce you to Casper the Friendly Cat – the adventurous kitty who loves hiking trips with his wonderful owner, Juliet.

Juliet adopted Casper, a stunning Maine Coon, from a family who needed to rehome him because they were relocating and couldn’t bring him along.

From the moment they met, Juliet felt they were meant to be together. With their shared curiosity, love for adventure, and deep appreciation for the outdoors, it was clear they were a perfect match.

Casper, being the way every gentle giant is, naturally made a perfect hiking partner, which brought immense joy to Juliet! As she shared in an interview: 

“I like how much attention he pays to the details of the world when we’re hiking. He looks at things so closely, wants to smell and understand everything.”

She also mentioned how people often get into the habit of going through the motions without really taking in their surroundings. But Casper, full of curiosity and wonder, is the complete opposite. Juliet explained:

“He makes me slow down and notice everything more, from autumn leaves to crickets in the grass, and all the birds in the trees.” 

Seeing him enjoy their adventures always makes Juliet so happy. She finds it wonderful to watch him experience so many new things, especially considering his younger age and a previous mainly indoor life.

Juliet is discovering so much about her fluffy feline friend during their hiking adventures. It’s not only a wonderful way for them to bond, but also a chance for her to learn about what he enjoys and what he doesn’t.

“For example, he seems more comfortable in places like heathland or woodland where there’s lots of shelter and I guess it feels a bit more enclosed and safe. Unlike a dog, he doesn’t usually want to be in an empty open space like a field. He also loves craggy places where he can jump around on the rocks.” 

She also shared a recent funny anecdote. Apparently, Casper found a small cave he insisted on exploring. Naturally, she was obliged to join in, crawling inside with her feline explorer. She’s such a great cat mom!

It’s important to note that Casper is always on a leash when exploring the great outdoors with his human. Juliet was fortunate in this department since he was already partially accustomed to both a harness and a leash. As she shared:

“When we adopted him we began by getting him to wear his new harness in the house to make sure he was comfortable with the feeling. We gave him treats each time he was wearing it so he had the positive association. Now, we have a particular type of treat that he really likes, and he only gets this when wearing the harness.”  

Juliet also said that Casper is always wearing it with an extendable lead which provides him with plenty of freedom to move around.

If this story has inspired you to start going on adventures with your own feline companion, Juliet has some helpful advice to get you started.

First, begin slowly by letting your cat get used to wearing a leash inside the house before venturing outdoors. It’s also a good idea to reserve a special treat just for leash time, so your cat has something to look forward to during the experience.

To give your cat more freedom, consider using an extendable lead, which will help them feel less restricted.

Finally, keep in mind that walking a cat is quite different from walking a dog. Cats have their own preferences and ways of doing things, so be prepared for a unique experience.

I hope you’ve enjoyed Casper’s story as much as I did. For more captivating photos, I sincerely encourage you to check out his Instagram account. The content he posts – with a little help from his mom – is truly amazing!

Casper may just be one cat, but he proves that felines are capable of far more than most people expect. Who says only dogs get to have all the outdoor fun? With patience, trust, and the right kind of bond, your cat might surprise you, too.