Dogs are well known for their eagerness and ability to help humans. On the other hand, cats tend to be thought of as being more interested in helping themselves. But not the cat in this video.
Lost hiker
The video was filmed by a hiker who got lost in the mountains of Gimmelwald in Switzerland. The man was on his own in the abandoned mountain town, and the road he wanted to take was closed. He was looking at his map to work out how to get back to his hostel when he suddenly noticed a black and white cat.
Not only was the man lost, but he'd also hurt his ankle, so it was a relief to see the friendly feline happily run towards him. The cat came to sit next to him as if it realised the man could do with some company and let the man stroke it.
As the man stood up and began walking, so did the cat, who kept looking at the man as if he wanted him to follow it. The cat continued to lead the man down the path, regularly looking over his furry shoulder to make sure the man was still following.
Feline mountain guide
Once the hiker reached his destination, he said goodbye to the cat, who returned to the mountain, perhaps to check if any other tourists had gone astray.
After the man shared his story online, several others said they'd also encountered the same cat guide when hiking in the area. The lost man who filmed the video seems not the cat's first rescue.
In fact, the hiker later discovered that the cat belonged to the couple that ran a hostel in the area where hikers often stay. Perhaps this is why the cat is so friendly towards hikers and keen to help them.
