Do cats always land on their feet?

[PARAGON]

<SPAN class=inside-head>Family amazed that cat survived 80-foot fall</SPAN>
<DIV class=intro-copy>SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (AP) — The family of Piper the cat, who
fell 80 feet from a tree and lived to meow about it, says they thought Piper had
cashed in her nine lives after her remarkable fall.</DIV>
<P class=inside-copy>"Yeah, we did," Scottie Colvin said Wednesday on ABC's
Good Morning America with her husband, Rodney, their two daughters and
Piper by her side. "Our first initial reaction, I don't know, was yelling for
Rodney to catch her, and then oh, that's not a good idea."</P>
<P class=inside-copy>Piper was in the tree near their house for eight days
before falling. The tawny cat escaped unharmed, receiving only fluids for
dehydration and ibuprofen for stiffness. (Related video: <A onclick=""
href="http://usatodaytv.feedroom.com/?fr_story=FEEDROOM137509">Cat survives
fall</A>)</P>
<P class=inside-copy>A cameraman from WCSC-TV in Charleston on hand to record
the attempted rescue captured the fall on video, and Piper quickly became a
celebrity.</P>
<P class=inside-copy>On Monday, a rescuer started up to save her. But Piper got
scared, and crept away until the limb beneath her snapped. She twisted and
turned in the air before slamming onto the ground. But she wasn't even dazed,
scampering off before anyone could catch her.</P>
<P class=inside-copy>"When she hit the ground running, we knew it was OK. She
kind of bolted and we found her in the wheel of a car that was in our
neighborhood so it was really cool," Scottie Colvin said.</P>
<P class=inside-copy>The family had previously tried several methods to lure
Piper down. They hoisted a basket with tuna and used a bow and arrow with string
to try to coax the cat.</P>
<P class=inside-copy>Eventually, gravity did the trick.</P>
<P class=inside-copy>The Colvins said the cat doesn't really like all the
attention — and they hope Piper stays grounded.</P>