As travelers and influencers flood Instagram with breathtaking photos of their adventures, the platform can sometimes feel repetitive and uninspired. If you’re tired of seeing the same picture-perfect poses, then Gary the 5-year-old rescue kitty might be just what you need in your feed.
Gary is not your typical cute cat posing for photos – he’s a true adventurer who enjoys hiking, paddling, and meowntaineering. With envy-inducing vacations that even some humans would envy, Gary’s social media account is a breath of fresh air among a sea of copycat content.
Bored Panda recently interviewed Gary’s owner, James, who shared insights into their adventurous lifestyle. James works hard to ensure Gary is happy and comfortable during their escapades, introducing new activities slowly to allow the cat to adjust at his own pace. However, James jokingly admits that he may have created a monster, as Gary now demands outdoor adventures with incessant meows if they don’t happen often enough.
When James was asked how Gary became part of their family, he shared that it was actually his partner who played a key role in their decision to adopt Gary. According to James, his partner was drawn to Gary because he had experienced a similar injury to his dog-brother Duke at the same young age, making them a perfect match. Both Gary and Duke had suffered broken left hips and had undergone a femoral head osteoectomy for treatment, resulting in their left hip joints being made of tendon and muscle instead of bone. As a result, Gary may not be able to jump very high, but otherwise, he is a normal and healthy cat. Interestingly, Gary was known as Bruce during his time at the shelter, named after Bruce Wayne.
The 29-year-old communication specialist shared the story of how Gary’s Instagram page was created. When James and his partner relocated to the Canadian Rockies, James began Gary’s account as a way to stay active on social media while job hunting. The unexpected but delightful growth of Gary’s popularity and followers was a pleasant surprise to James.
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James shared that they had just started going on adventures with Gary recently. He mentioned that Gary had a strong interest in the outdoors and even managed to escape once, prompting them to start harness training him after their move. The decision to harness train Gary was an obvious one, considering the potential dangers of outdoor traffic and other threats like bears, wolves, coyotes, and birds of prey in their area. James emphasized the importance of keeping cats from roaming freely to protect both the cats themselves and small animals like mammals and songbirds from becoming prey to them.
“Once Gary became more at ease on a leash, our adventures really took off,” the owner explained enthusiastically. Starting with simple strolls around the yard and local parks, the family soon graduated to bigger excursions, like full hikes in the mountains. “This summer, we’ve expanded our horizons to paddleboarding, kayaking, camping, and even meowtaineering when Gary bravely walked on the toe of a glacier!” James shared with excitement about his feline companion’s daring exploits.
After a few months of trial and error, Gary has finally embraced the joys of hiking trails and now eagerly follows them whenever he spots one, shared his owner. While this newfound hobby has made walking with Gary a breeze, there is a small challenge – stopping to take pictures with the curious cat is now a bit tricky. And when Gary needs a break from all the walking, he has his own way of letting his owner know. According to James, when Gary is tired, he simply stops and lets out a meow at his feet, signaling that he’s ready to be carried. Whether on James’ shoulders or snugly nestled in a backpack, Gary seems to enjoy these short breaks, often dozing off inside the cozy confines of the bag. It seems like Gary has found a truly luxurious way to travel!
James has noticed that Gary is developing a preference for paddling during their travels, finding relaxation on the water and even dozing off on the kayak. Along with improving his health through hikes and outdoor adventures, Gary has also shown a boost in confidence. Once a timid cat who would hide from guests, he now welcomes newcomers and allows them to pet him, a change that James attributes to Gary becoming an “adventurecat.”
Gary wasn’t the only one benefiting from the adventures. It turned out that when James set up the Instagram account for their cat, it had a positive impact on many people. James shared, “I receive numerous messages from individuals who have expressed how Gary’s posts have brightened their day or brought them joy during difficult times. Many offices and families share Gary’s updates with each other, spreading happiness. It’s heartwarming to see that he brings joy to social media! Moreover, Gary has inspired numerous people to take their cats on adventures, which is fantastic. I love receiving photos of people training their cats to walk on a leash.”
James expressed his appreciation for the supportive community that has formed around Gary, noting the positive atmosphere in comparison to the common negativity on social media. He enjoys using Gary’s platform to educate others on responsible park visits, a topic that has received positive feedback. James highlighted the issue of people prioritizing social media “bangers” over safety and environmental preservation when exploring outdoor areas.
When it comes to what sparks the most curiosity among people, it seems that Gary’s goggles take the spotlight. James shared that many people inquire about them and express their worries. He explained that in high mountain areas, the sun’s reflection off rocks and snow can be quite harsh, so the goggles serve as sun protection for Gary, making his outdoor time more enjoyable in bright conditions. James emphasized that the goggles are essentially like sunglasses for humans and reassured that Gary has no problem wearing them, only fiddling with them if they slip out of place.
He resembles a Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, or Siberian cat with their luxurious, insulating fur coats that are perfect for thriving in chilly outdoor environments.
