In a cosy workshop, Helen, a self-taught jewellery maker carefully crafts one-of-a-kind silver and opal pieces. But when she’s not in her studio, Helen is exploring the wild landscapes of Dartmoor—not alone, but with her Norwegian Forest Cat, Indie, by her side.
Indie, a Norwegian forest cat with a love for exploring has become something of a local legend on Dartmoor. Helen Davies, the owner of the fabulous feline first noticed Indie’s adventurous streak while watching her in the garden.
“She’s a house cat and can get quite bored being indoors,”
Helen explains that Indie would spend time in the garden and would climb up the trellis and into hedges. Indie’s love of exploring was unmistakable, and so Helen and her husband decided to try taking Indie camping.
“She likes exploring, and it gives our other cats a break from her too; she can be quite mischievous.”
Indie’s adventurous life began early on as a kitten when Helen would bring her to work at a supported living facility as a pet therapy cat, it was a great opportunity for her to socialise and get used to being in different environments.
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“Indie takes it all in her stride and nothing really seems to phase her. She’s incredibly gentle and has never been aggressive (except when she was spayed and bit the vet!) she was a perfect cat to have as a therapy cat.”
Indie And Helen’s Dartmoor Adventures
When Helen pulls out Indie’s harness for one of her long walks, it’s clear her feline friend is ready to go.
“she perks up and trots over to me, giving me little headbutts on my legs with an arched back and tail up in the air she is getting excited to go out.
If I take too long to get ready she sits at the top of the stairs and sulks, she’s very sassy for a cat. We get her harness on and then take her to the car, she soon settles down in her carrier and stays there until we get to our destination.”
Helen and Indie have explored various spots on the moors, but one of their favourites is Bellever Forest.
“Indie particularly enjoys walking around Bellever forest, we’ve been a few times now and each time she instantly pulls to get into the forest and off the path.
She wasn’t so keen on the ponies when some were down by the river but she’d not seen one up close before and was understandably a little hesitant around them. We also explored an iron age settlement which she loved looking round and got in between the rocks sniffing all the different scents.”
“The first time we took Indie to Bellever was particularly memorable,”
“My husband said it was time to go back, and she instantly got upset, ears back and growling and grumbling the whole way back to the car.”
For Helen, time on the moors is not only a bonding experience with Indie but also a source of inspiration for her jewellery and describes that she’s always on the lookout for new ideas and how to re-create different textures. Helen often incorporates opals into her designs, drawn to their colour spectrum, which Reminds her of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets Dartmoor has. She also prioritises using recycled sterling silver and lab-grown opals, which she finds more environmentally friendly than mined opals.
Indie’s interest in her owner’s jewellery, however, can lead to a bit of mischief.
“She’ll pinch things off my work bench and will hide them or want to play fetch,”
A Local Celebrity on the Moors
As they wander Dartmoor, Helen and Indie often catch the attention of other walkers.
“People love seeing a cat out on the moor, we get stopped quite a lot by people asking about her and how she gets on being on a lead,”
Indie’s fan base has grown, with people snapping photos of her, and she has received a warm welcome from fans in the Dartmoor Facebook group. Despite her newfound fame, Indie remains very much her own cat.
“Indie has a personality that I’ve never seen in a cat before, she is sassy, cheeky and confident. Nothing really phases her, she knows what she wants and where she wants to go.”
Tips for Other Aspiring Cat Adventurers
For those inspired to take their own cats on outdoor excursions, Helen has some advice. She says you need to have a cat that is very calm and train them from a young age with a harness. Helen began by having Indie walk round the house in her harness and then gradually introduced her to new locations like local graveyards. Helen says that while Indie is definitely an exception, for the right kitty, it is definitely very rewarding.
With her love for wild adventures and her owner’s passion for crafting jewellery that reflects Dartmoor’s natural beauty, Indie has truly found her perfect match in Helen. Together, they are a testament to the joy and inspiration that can come from letting curiosity lead the way—even if it’s with a harness, a leash, and a very adventurous cat.
