Catexplorer

View Original

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger is a catexplorer who loves camping in the mountains.

@mickjaggertheragdoll

We asked his mum, Samantha to tell us all about them.

Tell us the story about how Mick Jagger came into your family.

This isn’t something I’m particularly proud of but I ordered Mick from a breeder I found online. He is the first time I have ever shopped rather than rescuing.

My most beloved cat of all time had recently passed and I was half way attempting to “replace” her. Needless to say, things don’t quite work that way and Mick is nothing like my beloved Tia.

But I love him more than I could have ever imagined and he has taught me more about cat training than any other cat in my history.

Tell us the story behind Mick Jagger's name?

I love music of all kinds, especially classic rock. I chose Mick Jagger because he is so controversial and naughty, an image that I adore

What is your Mick Jagger's favourite thing to do? 

Mick absolutely loves camping in the mountains. And of course, eating freeze dried minnows

What kind of adventures does Mick Jagger like to go on?

We love exploring new trails that we have never been on and travelling to new and exotic locations.

And of course, camping for as long as possible

Tell us about your most memorable adventure

In the winter of 2016, Mick and I travelled to Arkansas to see my mom for the first time in years. It was Micks first time to meet his human grandmother.

It was a tearful reunion for my mother and me and the beginning of a beautiful, loving relationship between Mick and his grandmother.

Why did you decide to train Mick Jagger?

I live a very active lifestyle and my career often involves travelling ( I ride racehorses in the winter time) so I need Mick to be comfortable with riding in the car and maintaining his composure in different situations and environments.

Camping and hiking on a regular basis keeps Mick confident with travel and change and it keeps us bonded and our our communication skills tip top.

It also forces me to stay on top of his training for obvious safety reasons

How did you train Mick Jagger?

@mickjaggertheragdoll

Simply, just by doing it since he was a baby. Just like a human child, a cat will adapt to however you raise them.

I don’t incorporate any specific type of training techniques.

We make sure to never go more than a few days without riding in the car and go for several hikes per week.

And we work on things like shaking hands and coming when called every day with his favorite freeze dried minnows as positive reinforcement

What has been the most rewarding part of having a catexplorer?

Everything!!!!!

I feel so much more bonded with my cat than most people are when they treat their cats as house ornaments.

What has been the hardest?

Mick is not a naturally brave cat. He is scared of nearly everything.

So, keeping him comfortable with things like riding in the car or encountering other humans on the trail takes soooo much consistency and regularity.

If we miss a week, he cries in the car like it’s his first time

In hindsight, what would you do differently?

That’s an easy one!!! I would have taken him to busy, public places since he was a baby and waaayyyy more often.

He is absolutely horrified when we encounter other people out on the trail.

And if we have to go to a park that’s full of other visitors or any other kind of commotion that’s out of the ordinary, he looses his mind and has to be in his cat-pack or his stroller.

What advice would you give other humans training their catexplorers?

@mickjaggertheragdoll

Start young and STAY CONSISTENT!!!

If you don’t work with your cat every day, it shows

What are your favourite products for Mick Jagger? 

My cat back pack has been the biggest game changer of my entire life with cats!

I don’t know how I ever traveled with cats without one.

When things gets too intense or scary the cat-pack always saves the day.

Is there another Catexplorer that inspires you?

There are so many inspirational Insta-cats that if I name a few, I’ll feel guilty about the ones I failed to mention.

Follow Mick Jagger on Instagram (@mickjaggertheragdoll)