Jump or Climb?

[Howlinbob]

I've noticed that Larry is very much a climbing cat: he was always the one to climb up our legs and climb up the scratch post (hasn't tried the curtains, thankfully). A couple of weeks ago I was rummaging around in the attic (at 2am) for the spare bedding and before long he was up there with me - yes he had shinned up the loft ladders in no time at all! and refused to come down again - had to ask my guest to throw me a towel so that I could wrap him and bring him down - no mean feat at that hour of the night in party mood!

Anyway, my point is that he isn't a very confident jumper. He will jump onto the kitchen chairs or the low windowsill, but I notice he is quite hesitant and sometimes misjudges it, and falls down again. Sometimes he 'asks' if he can get on my lap, and when I say 'come on then', he just reaches up and puts his paws on my knee, but won't jump, I have to haul him up. This is exactly what I have to do with my old pensioner Barney. Monty on the other hand, long, lithe, leggy thing, can jump onto the kitchen worktops in the blink of an eye, with inches to spare (not a great habit, I know, training is in progress!)

Larry reminds me of our old Persian, Bob (RIP) who towards the end of his life lost all the spring in his back legs, and I had to watch his clamberings all the time in case he ended up dangling and falling. It's ironic really, as we got Larry to fill Bob's shoes, and there are lots of similarities between them, such as big character, intelligence, both solid black, like to be held 'inverted' like a baby. But I didn't expect Larry to have geriatric legs as well! Why can't he jump? Do you think he just needs practice?