GILBERT, Ariz. – A cat survived a 2 1/2-hour trip on a spare tire under her owner’s truck.

Gil Smith recently drove from his Gilbert home 70 miles away for a business meeting in Kearny. When he got out of the truck, he heard a cat in distress and realized it was his.

Smith said the cat, Bella, was hysterical, shaky and tired, but was smart enough to know not to jump off the tire as the truck was moving.

Smith and his wife have adopted three indoor cats, three goats and three chickens. But Smith said Bella, an outdoor cat the couple adopted years ago, has a special place in his wife’s heart.

Smith said he canceled his meeting with a state Department of Economic Security official who had driven 50 miles to get to Kearny so he could get Bella home.

It was either that, or, he jokes, get a divorce.

Related posts:

• 2 Siberian tigers died during 20-hour truck trip
• Dog steals truck in California
• Chihuahua blown about a mile in wind storm
• 8 dogs die in Animal Control Officer’s truck
• Jogger runs mile with rabid fox on her arm