Yoda to the rescue after car lock-in
By Deborah Johnson
Source: The Northern Echo
It proved the purr-fect roadside rescue and even gave astonished RAC staff paws for thought.
Yoda the cat managed to free herself and sidekick Daisy the dog after they became trapped inside their owner's car.
The mischievous Burmese used one of her paws to partly lower an electric window and end their 25-minute lock-in.
Relieved owner Andrew Douglas was then able to reach in and open the door.
The furry friends became trapped when the doors of the Toyota MR2 automatically locked as Mr Douglas, who lives in Darlington, was getting something from
the boot.
"The keys were in the ignition and I couldn't get my spare key because my house keys, wallet and mobile phone were all in the car. I was really stuck, "
he said.
He went to a neighbour's house and called the RAC, explaining the plight of Yoda and labrador Daisy.
The 40-year-old, who is deputy news editor at The Northern Echo, then hit upon the idea of trying to tempt the cat to jump onto the door lock button.
"There are several buttons in the driver's side door and I picked up a grass stalk and was waving it around to get her to come over.
"Sure enough, she took the bait and began jumping up. After five minutes and a few near misses, I was giving up hope when she landed on the button for the
electric window. Thankfully, it slid down five inches or so."
Mr Douglas, who was taking the pets to his parents' home near Barnard Castle, County Durham, immediately rang the RAC with the good news.
"The operator was laughing and said it was one of the most unusual rescues he had heard of, " he added. "I must admit, I couldn't quite believe it either."
An RAC spokeswoman said: "This is an amazing story. Owners being locked out of their vehicles through automatic locking is a common and big problem, but
a cat coming to the rescue is very unusual."
(C) 2005 The Northern Echo. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
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