I think the myth part is that cats are totally unable to get down from a tree, but the truth part is that it is indeed much more difficult for them to get down than up, and they hate doing it and are hesitant to try.

As one of the firemen put it: "Have you ever seen a dead cat in a tree? No? That's because they always get down."

I decided to go for a slushy run on the trail today and check up on the treed cat. Sure enough, she was still there.

I figured I'd maybe come back and try the enticement-with-food trick, but about a quarter mile up the trail I jogged past two guys walking along and decided to take a chance and ask if they knew of anyone in the neighborhood looking for the cat. As luck would have it, I was asking the owner himself, who has been looking for this cat for about five days. He actually walked right under the tree she was in about five minutes earlier and didn't notice her.

I brought him to the location and he called to her, but she didn't come down, so he's going to get a ladder and attempt to get up into the tree. I told him not to break his neck and he assured me he could manage that.

Anyway, it looks like after what was probably a four-night stay in a tree, this adventure is coming to a close.

I'm assuming so. I didn't stick around for the rescue mission. The owner had to leave to get a ladder and he assured me he had help and didn't need me.