Adventure cat loves nothing better than hiking with his canine chums

SAM March 14, 2020

Cats have a reputation for being standoffish and lazy, but one adventurous feline is proving that they can be just as socially active as their canine chums.

Maine Coon tabby cross Arlo has been trekking around the countryside in his hometown of Halifax, West Yorkshire, since he was a little kitten.

But he doesn’t go on these hikes alone – he walks across the Dales with his very own pup patrol.

ARLO ROAMS AROUND ON HIS LEAD — Arlo the Maine Coon tabby cross loves to venture across the Dales (Picture: Mercury Press & Media/@the.good.cat)

PIC BY @the.good.cat/MERCURY PRESS (PICTURED ARLO LEXI AND CALLIE) A cat that loves nothing more than going on hour-long dog walks with his canine pals leaves onlookers stunned as he takes on mountainous terrain on a lead. Maine Coon-Tabby cross, Arlo, is just nine months old but has been trekking around the countryside in his hometown of Halifax, West Yorks, since he was a kitten. His owners, Crissy Lister, 29, and Marc Shaw, 31, first discovered his love of the outdoors when they took him to Scafell Pike, in August last year, and have even set up an Instagram page for the fearless feline who joins their dogs, Lexi, a two year old Lurcher and Callie, a three year old Cavalier on their adventures across some of the countys most beautiful scenes. SEE MERCURY COPY. — Always with his dog best friends by her side (Picture: Mercury Press & Media/@the.good.cat)

PIC BY @the.good.cat/MERCURY PRESS (PICTURED ARLO ROAMS AROUND ON HIS LEAD) A cat that loves nothing more than going on hour-long dog walks with his canine pals leaves onlookers stunned as he takes on mountainous terrain on a lead. Maine Coon-Tabby cross, Arlo, is just nine months old but has been trekking around the countryside in his hometown of Halifax, West Yorks, since he was a kitten. His owners, Crissy Lister, 29, and Marc Shaw, 31, first discovered his love of the outdoors when they took him to Scafell Pike, in August last year, and have even set up an Instagram page for the fearless feline who joins their dogs, Lexi, a two year old Lurcher and Callie, a three year old Cavalier on their adventures across some of the countys most beautiful scenes. SEE MERCURY COPY. — What a little adventurer (Picture: Mercury Press & Media/@the.good.cat)

Owners Crissy Lister and Marc Shaw first discovered Arlo’s love for the outdoors when they took him on a walk with their three dogs last year.

Since then, he’s joined them on lots of hikes through the UK’s most beautiful scenery and has become something of an internet sensation.

Understandably, he gets some rather odd looks from fellow trekkers.

‘Arlo usually comes out three times a week for a good hour or two,’ explains Crissy.

‘People are usually shocked when they see him and they make a big fuss of him or ask us questions. At first I was a bit embarrassed having a cat with me on dog walks, but when I saw much he enjoyed it, it spurred me onto keep taking him.

‘He didn’t enjoy being on a short lead, so we got him a long one so he could roam free while keeping him safe. When he’s had enough he just climbs up onto our shoulders.’

PIC BY @the.good.cat/MERCURY PRESS (PICTURED ARLO ENJOYS HIS FIRST WALK UP SCAFELL PIKE, LAKE DISTRICT) A cat that loves nothing more than going on hour-long dog walks with his canine pals leaves onlookers stunned as he takes on mountainous terrain on a lead. Maine Coon-Tabby cross, Arlo, is just nine months old but has been trekking around the countryside in his hometown of Halifax, West Yorks, since he was a kitten. His owners, Crissy Lister, 29, and Marc Shaw, 31, first discovered his love of the outdoors when they took him to Scafell Pike, in August last year, and have even set up an Instagram page for the fearless feline who joins their dogs, Lexi, a two year old Lurcher and Callie, a three year old Cavalier on their adventures across some of the countys most beautiful scenes. SEE MERCURY COPY. — Arlo started out with camping trips to the Lake District (Picture: Mercury Press & Media/@the.good.cat)

Although he’s not scared of dogs, Crissy says that she picks Arlo up if she sees another dog walker coming.

Originally, Arlo was adopted as an indoor pet to join their other three outdoor cats but he soon learned how to navigate the catflap by immediately following the other cats through – rather like the people who rush through train barriers without a ticket.

His family was soon taking him on camping trips to the Lake District and after that, began his regular walking regime.

‘He’s got a real sense of adventure – whenever we’re out and about, he’s climbing the trees or chasing flies around the bushes,’ Crissy explains.

‘He loves being out and seeing the world.’

You can follow Arlo’s adventures on Instagram.