Cross-country road trips can be challenging, especially with a pet in tow. But for Emily Yancey, planning her move from Los Angeles, California, to Charleston, South Carolina, meant prioritizing her beloved cat, Johnny, affectionately known as Mr. J.
The 2,500-mile journey was no small feat, but Johnny was no stranger to travel. Since his adoption in 2011, he had accompanied Yancey on countless trips, becoming a seasoned hotel and car companion.
“Johnny started traveling with us immediately after we adopted him,” Yancey said. “He’s a pro at this because it’s all he’s ever known.”
To ensure Johnny’s comfort, Yancey mapped out a route with pet-friendly motels for overnight stays. On the big day, she and her husband created a cozy blanket nest for him in the back seat, ready for their adventure.
Throughout the drive, Johnny alternated between gazing out the window and napping under the seats. He adjusted well to each motel, though he had a habit of hiding under beds or in box springs when it was time to leave.
“The overnight stays were smooth overall,” Yancey said. “But Johnny has an uncanny ability to disappear under the bed just when it’s time to hit the road again.”
On the final night of their trip, Yancey treated the family to a spacious apartment with a kitchen and living room. Johnny, thrilled by the extra space, quickly discovered a hidden hole behind the refrigerator.
The next morning, Yancey heard a familiar “click click” sound—Johnny’s tongue—and spotted him triumphantly peeking from the hole.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Yancey said. “Johnny stared at me with this mischievous twinkle in his eye, knowing he had outsmarted me.”
When she realized they were out of his favorite wet food to coax him out, Yancey tried everything from calling his name to dangling a sock. But Johnny stayed put.
In a last-ditch effort, she and her husband used reverse psychology. They closed the door, called his name loudly, and pretended to have fun without him. True to his curious nature, Johnny couldn’t resist. He crawled out of the hole and sat by the door, eager to join them.
“I still can’t believe it worked,” Yancey said.
With Johnny safely in her arms, the family packed up and resumed their trip. Johnny, clearly pleased with his antics, lounged in his blanket nest for the final stretch of the journey.
Now living in Charlottesville, Virginia, 13-year-old Johnny still travels regularly to destinations like New York City and Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. Though he’s mellowed with age, his mischievous streak remains intact.
“He’s found another hole in a wall since that hotel incident,” Yancey said. “Once again, he used his tongue to let me know he’d outsmarted me!”