http://www.yourcat.co.uk 59better off coming with us
than staying at home,”
says Kayleen.
Danielle recalls: “We made
a quick stop at a pet store
to get some wet food,
harnesses, and leads before
heading out of the city. I was
not sure how things would
go and, if I’m honest, I half
expected that we would have
to come home early.”
To their delight, the two
kittens took everything in their
strides. Danielle continues: “In
the end, Bolt and Keel were
rock stars! Not even the long
drive or rainy weather seemed
to faze them. I remember
loving how curious they
were, and how their curiosity
caused us to slow down and
appreciate the journey.
“I remember laughing on
several occasions at the factthat I was sleeping in a tent
with a cat on my chest,”
explains Danielle. “It didn’t
take us long to discover that
the best way to hike up the
mountain was to either zip
them in our jackets with just
their faces poking out, or
carry them around the back
of our necks.”ADVENTURE SEEKERS
This first trip was just the
start for the adventuresome
foursome, as Bolt and Keel
are now seasoned pros
and have accompanied
Kayleen and Danielle on
multiple escapades.
“Keel is the more
adventurous one and Bolt
enjoys being carried and
swimming,” says Kayleen.
“They’re just over two years
old now and we’ve done a lot
of trips locally on Vancouver
Island. We’ve also taken them
snowshoeing in Washington,
and on canoe trips in
Northern British Columbia.”
Danielle adds: “Some of my
favourite adventures to date
have been hiking a section
of the Sunshine Coast Trail,
canoeing on Boya Lake,
spending a week sailing in
Desolation Sound, and goingon their first cross-border trip
to Washington.”
When they are not on
adventures, Bolt and Keel
live at home with Danielle.
Although the women did
consider having one cat
each, they decided it would
be much better to keep the
bonded brothers together.
Danielle says: “Bolt and Keel
are typical indoor cats who
enjoy napping and playing
when they are at home. Bolt
has definitely claimed the top
area of the cat tower as his
throne, and either spends his
day there or sitting on the
window sill looking outside.
“Keel is quite playful around
the house. He loves chasinghis tail, sneaking up on
Bolt, and pouncing on
shadows. If the front door
is left open, both Bolt and
Keel will try to escape in
a matter of seconds.”
Although most cat owners
would never even consider
doing what Kayleen and
Danielle do with Bolt and
Keel, Kayleen believes that
it’s what they’ve become
accustomed to.
She explains: “You have to
judge a cat’s personality and
start them young if you want
to do something like this.
I definitely think Bolt and
Keel got used to it from
a young age and that’s why
they enjoy it.”
Danielle adds: “I thoroughly
enjoy getting outside with
Bolt and Keel, breaking cat
stereotypes, and just seeing
what is possible. I love it when
Bolt is completely content in
a canoe soaking up the sun, or
Keel is hiking beside us with
his tail in the air.
“I also enjoy bumping into
other people and witnessing
their reactions to seeing cats
on leads. I think it is fair to
say that most people are
caught a little off-guard,
which often leads to great
conversations that might not
have occurred otherwise.” —in
goingthe house. He loves chasing they e
Dan
enjoy g
Bolt an
stereo
what is
Bolt is
a cano
Keel is
his tail
“I als
other p
their re
on lead
say tha
caught
which
conver
have o“I love it when
Bolt is completely
content in a canoe
soaking up the sun,
or Keel is hiking
beside us with his
tail in the air.”
Kayleen and Danielle’s book,
‘Bolt and Keel: The Wild
Adventures of Two Rescue
Cats’, is available to buy
from November 24. For
more information, visit http://www.
boltandkeel.com/shopKayleen and Danielle
are devoted to Bolt
and Keel.Keel prefers walking
on the lead, while Bolt
enjoys being carried.Has Keel spotted
a fi sh?58-59 YC Bolt & Keel CS cc.indd 59 29/09/2017 09:50