Highland Games Athlete Gets Interrupted from Training By Punkin the Black Cat

When a manly man loves cats, it sends up all kinds of “green flags” for people. It takes a real man to show his softer side for animals, and people from all walks of life love seeing it. For example, here’s the story of a Highland Games athlete who is often seen sharing cuddles with a black cat and a Labrador Retriever.

Nathan L., a self-described amateur Highland Games athlete” from Western Washington, has been in the Marines and trained for years. Each year, he keeps getting stronger, training by “tossin’ hammers” or squatting 500 pounds. But he’s also quite funny.

“I compete in highland games. I spin. I twirl. I heave. I cartwheel. I do all of these things in competition while wearing a kilt,” he shared on TikTok.

For years, he has shared his training efforts online. But then the channel was suddenly taken over by a cute black cat. And most everyone wants more!

Highland Games athlete, Nathan L. Western Washington, Punkin the black cat, Riley the Yellow Labrador Retriever, cat interrupts Dad's workouts and training, weight toss, hammer toss, Backwoods Highlander, weight toss 2

Punkin the black cat approaches Nathan L. while he’s trying to throw weights. Images and media via TikTok/backwoodshighlander

Highland Games Athlete Interrupted by Black Cat

Nathan sometimes gets interrupted from his Scottish manly man activities by his black cat, Punkin.

“Every time I go outside she runs out of the woods to come be with me ,” he said.

When he’s trying to train, she comes up, giving him the “sassy ‘love me!’ tail” as she strolls over, wanting to be picked up. How could he resist?

“She’s a princess and she knows it,” he said of the kitty.

Whatever Nathan is doing, such as working on his vehicle, Punkin likes to be nearby, as close as pawsible!

Nathan L. Western Washington, Punkin the black cat, Riley the Yellow Labrador Retriever, cat interrupts Dad's workouts and training, weight toss, hammer toss, Backwoods Highlander, cat sits on Dad while he fixes the car

Sometimes, she comes out of nowhere and surprises Dad, so he always has to be on his toes.

She rubs against his legs and rolls on the grass, showing her belly and cutely demanding attention. Then, she makes air biscuits, and he “matches her energy” in return.

“I can’t not love on her,” he said.

Punkin and ‘The Goodest Boy’ Join the Highland Games

Nathan’s Yellow Lab Remi is “the goodest boy,” and also visits Dad when he’s trying to work out, with hilarious results. One day, both Remi and the kitty interrupted his training when he was trying to throw weights.