BOB, THE CAT WHO WENT ON A 200-MILE ADVENTURE
BOB the cat is already a bit of a star in his street.
A legendary mouser and dog chaser who is often found asleep on neighbours’ beds, the two year old cannot resist an adventure.
But he surpassed himself with his latest exploit – a near 200-mile road trip.
Owner John Wooldridge noticed Bob had gone missing at about 4pm last Wednesday, a few hours after a new bed had been delivered.
“I thought ‘oh no’, because it’s something he would do,” said John, 41, who lives on the Parc Derwen estate in Bridgend.
John remembered the delivery men from Bensons for Beds had left the lorry doors open while they put together his new purchase.
So it was no surprise when he got a call from a vets in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, around 90 miles away, a short time later.
“After leaving here the lorry had five more drop offs of sofas and beds and then went back to the depot in Tewkesbury,” said John.
“They backed the lorry into the bay and when the workers started to unload all of the rubbish, Bob came out.”
Depot manager Marie took Bob to the vets so his microchip could be scanned.
Once they discovered where he lived, another manager, Phil, who lives in Ebbw Vale, agreed to drive Bob the 77 miles to a meeting point in Pontypridd so John could pick him up.
John said Bob clearly wasn’t bothered by his ordeal as he found him fast asleep in the cosy box the staff had made up for him.
However, he said the cat, originally known as Elsa before they found out he was a boy, is in a bit of a sulk since he’s been home.
“I’m not sure if he was trying to escape or not,” said John, who lives with daughter Rachel Wooldridge, 19.
“He is quite the character, to say the least. He is very friendly and a little bit cwtchy.
“When he’s hungry he nips your ankles playfully.
“When we first moved here and there was building work going on, he would climb the scaffolding so the builders would feed him sandwiches.
“He goes in and out of neighbours’ houses so they come home from work in the evening and find him lying on their beds.
“He’s quite famous in this street and also thinks he’s hard as nails, chasing dogs.
“Goodness knows what his next adventure will be.”