Swimming Cat Loves Bike Rides
Published: Wed, 03/31/10
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Pet Tips 'n' Tales© Cat With Many Talents - Bike Riding, Swimming, etc. -
 Photo by Mr. "Angel Scribe"©
Nymbus loves riding around
town watching the world go by from his bike basket.
Nymbus is also famous for swimming and his appearances on
TV and in the print media for his other un-catlike talents. TALES Nymbus enjoyed bike riding as a kitten, but, all too soon, he outgrew the metal bike basket. His long tail dangled out of the basket and became a major concern with the bicycle spokes. Purchasing a Snoozer small-pet safety bike basket was a gamble. The question was, "After five years would he still love riding with the wind in his fur?"
The minute the postal worker delivered the Snoozer pink bike basket it was unpacked and assembled. www.snoozerpetproducts.com 1-800-635-9755 Ext. 112 Nymbus did the unthinkable and jumped onto the kitchen counter...right into the basket. (We have four other cats, and Nymbus was the only one to jump into the basket!) He was obviously ready for a bike ride!
A few hours later, as my husband carried the basket out to the garage to install it on the bike, Nymbus stood at the garage door and yelled and yelled. I picked him up, carried him into the garage, and lowered him into his new soft bike basket. Before Nymbus was nestled into the basket, he began purring. We secured the harness he was wearing to the clasp in the basket and went for a brief unplanned ride in the dark and rainy evening. There I was dressed for bed, in my pajamas and bathrobe, in the fog, riding down the street because the cat wanted to go for a ride! The saying, "Dogs have masters, and cats have staff" is obviously true! The adage that you never forget how to ride a bicycle is also true. Nymbus's huge green eyes were lit up with excitement! He loved the experience! When we arrived home, he was still purring!  Photo by Mr. "Angel Scribe"©
The only time he squirmed or complained happened as I lifted him from his comfortable basket. He voiced great disappointment that the ride was short and loudly meowed his disapproval all the way into the house! This unusual cat proudly sits with his huge furry white head poking out of his pink basket as stately as a pink Cadillac's hood ornament rests on the hood. The second time out, Nymbus happily rode two miles through town. His body language and facial expressions were relaxed. It is evident he enjoys watching the world go by as the wind tickles his whiskers. We briefly stopped off at a park for him to walk, eat grass, and use the bathroom. He walked around on his leash as if he was comfortably strolling through his own backyard. The bike basket has pockets for a leash, plastic bags, cell phone, a garage door clicker or house keys, and a water bottle. The only things missing on Nymbus are cat goggles and a cat crash helmet!  Photo by Mr. "Angel Scribe"© Nymbus enjoys cruising through town spotting cats and squirrels to watch. He does not like motorcycles or dogs; he scrunches down and hides in the basket as they pass by. Because Nymbus is an indoor cat, bike riding expands the sights and sounds of his world. If I take one of our other cats for a bike ride, Nymbus jumps up onto the laundry room window sill and protest-meows until my return. He only stops once he is in the basket, riding off on another adventure! People walking by as we
cruise down the road or children peering out of car windows literally
jump with delight at the unusual sight of a cat riding by on a bicycle
like Toto in The Wizard of Oz.
Remember when you were a child and simple pleasures became wonderful memories? Well, the company of your beloved pet and watching it enjoy the sights of the world, can still make your heart smile. You might call this your Cat- a -Tonic!
Besides his bike basket, Nymbus enjoys his Snoozer Lookout small pet travel seat that safely harnesses him in the car. Nymbus's story of him teaching other cats how to enjoy car rides was featured in the 2009 holiday issue of Feline Wellness and on Cats Love Bicycle Riding Nymbus is definitely an unusual cat; at the age of four months he was on the cover of Awareness Magazine in California. He was also featured in the national Feline Wellness magazine for walking on his leash, and in Animal Wellness magazine, The Daily Mail, a British newspaper, a French and Canadian Magazine, and in three TV shows, including Shepherd Smith on Fox National news which highlighted Nymbus' powerful swimming technique. London, England's Barcroft Media sent International "Incredible Features" photojournalist Jeffery R. Werner to photograph Nymbus and his swimming siblings. It is just a matter of time before Nymbus is discovered by Hollywood for his many talents! Until then, look for him happily bike riding through town with pet newspaper columnist Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe" making people smile.  Nymbus's summer sport is swimming!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu6fVdAFGSI TIPS
Never ride with a pet in a metal bicycle carrier. Pets can easily
jump out and become lost. Also, their tails dangle dangerously close to
the bike spokes. If you put a cover over the top of a metal bike
basket, the limited space for pets to move may result in them breaking their teeth on the metal as you go over bumps.
When the pet begins moving back and forth in the bike basket, it means they are DONE with today's ride...or they need to relieve themselves.
Respecting their wishes is an important aspect of treating their emotional and physical needs. Include your phone ID on their harness.
Wonderful pet travel products are available at your local pet and feed
stores for the health and safety of your pets.
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