Ray Ray, an 8-year-old cat, had never left home — until now.
Last month, the Denardos family left their small farm in Pennsylvania, embarking early in the morning on a road trip that would end in New York City. Their first stop was New Hampshire, where dad Tony Denardos was running a marathon.
The family kept a good pace, going the first 100 miles without a break — as, unbeknownst to them, a near cat-astrophe was unfolding with their cat, Ray Ray, clinging for dear life on the roof of their minivan as they barrelled through the Pennsylvania countryside on Interstate 80.
Ray Ray had never left the family’s Pennsylvania farm, except for vet visits. Margaret Bellotti Denardo / Facebook
After around two hours, the Denardos pulled over for fuel and a bathroom break. That’s when Tony found the feline perched calmly on the roof.
He laughed and beckoned for his wife, Margaret, to take a look.
“All these things are going through my head. The roads that we’ve traveled on, the semitrucks that we’ve passed, the hills, the stop signs, everything. How did this cat stay on there?” Margaret told The Leader Times.
“And he was completely unfazed. He’s stretching like he just got up from a nap.”
The Denardos had brought along their 16-year-old daughter and two friends, storing some luggage on the roof. They think Ray Ray must have nestled between the bags as the minivan hurtled down the highway.
Some of the luggage on the Denardos’ roof had claw marks. Margaret Bellotti Denardo / Facebook
Margaret Denardo with Ray Ray in the Big Apple. Margaret Bellotti Denardo / Facebook
“There were some claw marks,” Margaret said.
With so much of the drive behind them, the Denardos decided they couldn’t turn back home.
Ray Ray had never been anywhere but the vet before, and the family was planning to hit the Big Apple after New Hampshire — so they decided the kitty would join them on their big-city adventure.
The family headed to a Petco to loaded up on supplies, including a leash, harness and backpack, and continued on their way — with Ray Ray safely inside the van this time.
It turns out the small-town cat had a soft spot for the Big Apple.
“He seemed to really like Times Square at night. I don’t know if it was the lights and all the movement, but he sat there with his little paws curled in and just watched everything,” Margaret said.