The driving public often doesn’t fully comprehend every last detail about their cars. They know how to make them move, and how to keep the energy source active so they can continue to cruise along, but when the moment arrives that takes the driver out of their comfort zone, that’s when the phone calls and text messages start flying and that’s when they scout out the nearest “expert” for help. When you are in a parts store, standing behind the counter with the corporate colors on, you pass the visual approval process for “expert” to a motorist in need. Usually, this means that you are standing outside in the rain putting on wiper blades or changing the headlight bulb out on one of Toyota’s mission:impossible style systems, but every now and then you will get the really, really weird call.

Here’s the story: the owner of a Toyota Prius was headed to work on Thanksgiving morning when she hit something. She continued to drive for fifty miles to where she worked before she got out of the car and realized that the “something” was a male bobcat, still very much alive, wedged in the lower opening of the car. She called for help, and help called animal control workers, who found the wildcat irate, with only a small cut on the back for an injury…and the feline is lucky that’s all, because one wire and a piece of plastic was all that was keeping the angry kitty from a much worse fate. The bobcat was tranquilized, removed, and after being treated, will be released in the same area where his day was rudely interrupted.

I’m glad to hear the bobcat will be released and is more-or-less unharmed. But have you ever heard a pissed-off bobcat? How do you drive fifty miles in a Toyota Prius and not hear anything?!?! I’m glad to know the woman had the foresight to get authorities involved immediately. Imagine if she had tried to do it herself…she’d be mauled, the cat would be put down for attacking the human, and this would be a sad tale.

Lesson learned: find a real subject matter expert. Do not bring an annoyed or scared wild cat to my store. Turn your radio down so you can hear what an angry bobcat sounds like (hint: you can’t miss it). And please, do not try to pet the perturbed wildlife. No good comes from that.

(Bobcat story courtesy of AutoBlog)