Maine Coon Cat Becomes Deaf Sailor ’ s Ears and Helps Him Navigate at Sea
A sailor who can ' t hear the sound of the ocean has not a single worry about navigating on the ever so unpredictable waters because he has a cat who hears and listens for him .
Meet Skatty the 6-month-old polydactyl Maine Coon cat .
Skatty , or Strauss von Skattebol of RebelPawz , came to Paul J . Thompson when he was a couple of months old . Paul , a computer programmer in Auckland , New Zealand , has set out to sail across the Southern Atlantic Ocean in a 32-foot boat , La Chica , that he built himself .
But he ' s not taking this journey alone . Paul , who became profoundly deaf as a child , has acquired a furry companion to be his ears . The incredible feline gives him visual cues to help him navigate at sea .
Cats have a remarkable sense of hearing . Their ears swivel to pinpoint the source of the sound far more accurately than any humans can achieve .
" Without any training , Skatty has twigged that I don ' t hear ," Paul told Adventure Cats . " He lets me know if a boat comes alongside , people are at my door ( ashore ) and when my phone receives text messages ."
Skatty places his paw on the phone to signal an incoming message . If they have visitors , the smart Maine Coon will lead his human by walking him to the door .
They share a very special bond . " Skatty has learnt to get my attention by coming and putting his paw on my knee and I ' ve learnt to get up and follow him .
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