While most families worry about neighbors or bikes for us it’s high places.  But no way would we have guessed he’d try the maple in our own front yard.  I’d been watching the inauguration on TV when he started so I missed the first logic-defying leap, and the second.  It was only when I heard dad’s shout and ran out that I saw, and yes, it was an awesome sight. 

Such a crazy dude, scrabbling and hauling his way up.  Occasionally he’d taken a breather, head cocked as if listening to something on the wind, but after a moment he’d continue on with his quest for the sky. 

I wasn’t convinced by mom’s explanation about why he stopped.  After all, he’d needed a larger jump to get started so the branch above should have been easy.  Personally, I think he’d reached the perch he’d been eyeing all along. 

Whatever the reason, he stopped.  He’d blink quietly at the sun or occasionally glance down at us and shuffle a bit, otherwise he just sat there.  We thought he was simply basking in the experience but after a while we realized he was stuck with no way down.

We tried the more obvious tactics like food and toys.  No luck.  A stick was thrown and I have to confess that another was even thrown at him.  Nothing doing.  Weirdly, none of us could repeat his first jump to climb up and get him down.  How was that even possible?  In the end we had to call animal control. 

His ability to spot an opportunity is infuriating but it’s also pretty genius.  So even with a $50 call out fee none of us have the heart to punish him.  We can only look on as the black sheep of the family sprawls out on the lawn, pantingly pleased with himself and no doubt planning his next escapade.

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Image: Pascale, Carol. A Tree. 2015. Watercolour. Carolepascale.com