When Nathaniel, a Reddit user who works at a mental health hospital in the U.K., went about his usual duties one day, he wasn’t expecting to stumble upon a crime scene — let alone such an entertaining one.
The hospital includes a peaceful wellness garden where patients can stroll, unwind and tend to plants. But recently, that calm space became the site of a very determined break-in.
Nathaniel noticed that the greenhouse had been breached. The doors were still closed, which meant the intruder had to have entered through a skylight in the roof. Curious, he took a closer look.
Inside was a cat — and he was there for one reason only.
The furry visitor was enthusiastically helping himself to a pot of catnip grown by patients, completely unapologetic about his actions.
“The whole scene was as unexpected as it was hilarious,” Nathaniel told The Dodo. “I’ve never seen this cat before. We do get a few cats around here, but never like this.”
Catnip contains nepetalactone, a compound that can send cats into a blissed-out state when they sniff, rub against or eat it. Judging by the cat’s behavior, the effects had fully kicked in.
Rather than chase the cat off or interrupt his indulgence, Nathaniel decided to let the little guy enjoy his moment. He just made sure the greenhouse doors were open so the cat could leave safely once he’d had his fill.
“I made sure he could stay safe and left the greenhouse doors open,” Nathaniel said. “He was absolutely delightful.”
The unexpected visitor may have broken in — but his motives were pure, his timing perfect, and his joy contagious.
