A family from the United States experienced the shock of their lives during a long-distance road trip when they discovered their adventurous cat had been an uninvited passenger for more than 100 miles.
The Unbelievable Service Station Discovery
Margaret Denardo, 43, was travelling with her husband Tony, 49, their daughter Sophia, and three of Sophia's friends on 26 September. The group was driving from their home in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, to Keene, New Hampshire, to participate in a marathon event.
Like any pet owner leaving for a trip, the couple believed their eight-year-old cat, Ray Ray, was safely at home. Their assumption was shattered after roughly two hours of driving when they pulled into a service station for a break.
To their utter astonishment and horror, they spotted Ray Ray perched calmly on the roof of their van, nestled within the luggage carrier. The feline had apparently been holding on for the entire journey from Pennsylvania.
A Daring Feline with a History of Adventure
Margaret, a writer, described being "beyond shocked and terrified" for her pet's safety, immediately worrying about all the potential dangers he had faced on the motorway. Remarkably, Ray Ray appeared completely unfazed by his high-speed ordeal.
This was not the first time the cat had been found near a vehicle. Margaret recalled that eight years ago, she first discovered Ray Ray as a tiny kitten hiding under her van. "It's possible he travelled from our farm just five minutes away under the van," she said, noting that people often abandoned animals near their property.
Ray Ray has lived as an indoor-outdoor cat his whole life, developing an independent and daring streak. Margaret believes this bold nature is what led him to scramble onto the van's roof and cling on for the lengthy journey.
An Impromptu Holiday for a Stowaway Cat
After recovering from the initial shock, the family made a quick decision. Instead of turning back, they decided to bring Ray Ray along for the rest of their travels. Their first stop was Keene, New Hampshire, for the marathon.
They then continued their plans to visit New York City for a holiday, with Ray Ray now officially part of the group. The family made a special detour to a pet shop to buy essential supplies for their unexpected travel companion, including food and a litter box.
"We got back on the road and stopped at a pet store so we could get supplies for him and went on our way as planned," Margaret explained. The daring cat, having survived his rooftop adventure, enjoyed the sights of New York City from the much safer confines of the family van.
