Ciastek The Bodyguard Cat

I went out for a walk with my walker. Ciastek decided he was coming too. It wasn’t a normal walk – it was a patrol.

Some cats sit by the window and watch the world go by. Ciastek is not that kind of cat.

My wife and I went out for a walk – her, me with the walker, and Lola, a dog we’re looking after while her owners are on holiday. A normal route along the canal. And somewhere along the way we realised Ciastek was following us.

The Lead He Didn’t Want

My wife went back for a lead. Part of the route ran alongside a road – there was no way he could walk loose. Ciastek let her put it on. He clearly hated it – a cat who had never walked on a lead, suddenly having to walk like a dog. But he walked. Because the need to protect us was stronger than his own dignity.

When we changed route to the canal path, we unclipped him. He followed at a distance. Stayed close. Fought his own fear of the noise – but didn’t give up. Where he could, he walked with us; where it was too loud, he waited on the wall and rejoined us.

The End of the Wall

At the end of the wall, he stopped.

Beyond it was a car park – large, full of cars, full of people. Too much risk for a small animal. Ciastek assessed it and made the decision for us. He ran up, yelled, and turned us back. Like a parent catching a child running into the road. There was no discussion.

We decided to go back the same way, so as not to upset our bodyguard any further.

The Old Man on the Path

On the way back, an older man was walking the same path – coming home from the supermarket. Ciastek ran up to him, yelling that he should keep his distance. The man stopped, let himself be sniffed, showed respect. Ciastek decided the threat was neutralised and went back to patrolling.

We were stunned by the whole thing. And equally proud.

A Lion in a Cat’s Body

My wife says Ciastek treats me like a sick member of the pack who needs looking after. The neighbours say he walks the area with nonchalant pride – his movements so graceful and his step so dignified, like a lion patrolling his territory. He patrols it with pride and dedication, coming home only to bring a catch or eat some dry food, before quickly heading back out to continue his rounds.

He often comes back with signs of fights – evidence of more than one skirmish with enemies trying to plunder his kingdom.

That day I had the Nikon Zf with the Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 with me. I took a few photos of him. He earned them.

That day will stay with me for a long time. And the photo taken that day will hang on the wall and remind me of that moment – and of Ciastek, for exactly this fatherly responsibility he feels for his pack.