Every neighborhood seems to have that one legendary pet who keeps life interesting. On Scott Swenson’s street, that honor clearly belongs to Bruce, a polydactyl tuxedo cat whose curiosity and extra toes give him a talent for unforgettable antics. In a story that feels straight out of a family comedy, Bruce recently turned an ordinary real estate visit into a full-on adventure, starring as the world’s most relaxed rooftop hitchhiker. It is the kind of cat story that people love to share, and a perfect reminder that “curious cat on car roof” is not just a viral video phrase, but something that can actually unfold in real life.
Bruce is not just any house cat. The article explains that he is polydactyl, which means he has extra toes. In Bruce’s case, those additional digits add up to a remarkable 26 toes. Combined with his black and white tuxedo markings and an endless supply of curiosity, he has earned a reputation as the mischief maker of the household. According to his person, he is usually the one who sparks more chaos than all of his furry siblings put together. Inside the home, that energy probably translates into playful exploration and minor trouble. Outside, as this story shows, it can evolve into something far more dramatic.
The day of Bruce’s big escapade began innocently enough. The Swenson family welcomed their realtor and friend, McCall Hicken, to their home for a visit. It was the kind of everyday appointment that happens in countless neighborhoods: a real estate check-in, likely some paperwork or updates, and friendly conversation between people who already knew each other well. Nothing about the meeting suggested that it would become a tale worth sharing widely. Yet Bruce was presumably nearby, doing what cats so often do, blending into the background until a moment of curiosity took hold.
After the meeting wrapped up, Hicken said her goodbyes and headed back to her car, ready to drive to her next appointment. She pulled away from the Swenson home, leaving behind what appeared to be an entirely ordinary scene. Within minutes, however, the day took a surprising turn. The Swensons received an unexpected phone call from Hicken. According to Swenson’s account, neighbors several blocks down the road had flagged her down and pointed out something unusual on the roof of her vehicle. They had spotted a black and white cat curled up comfortably on top of the car as it moved through the neighborhood.
Hicken reportedly did not even need to step out of the car to realize who that cat was. The description alone made it obvious. The Swensons had known her since she helped them sell their previous home, and Bruce had been part of that chapter too. The article notes that Bruce and Hicken already had some history. Their familiarity meant that the idea of Bruce being involved in something unexpected was not surprising at all. I found this detail striking, because it shows how some cats weave themselves into the broader social life of a family and their friends, becoming memorable to visitors as well as to the people they live with.
Once she understood that Bruce was her uninvited passenger, Hicken reacted calmly and carefully. Instead of braking suddenly or panicking, she turned the car around and drove back toward the Swenson home with great care. The report describes how she crept back to the house, clearly focused on keeping Bruce safe during this unplanned ride. This element adds a quiet layer of responsibility to what could otherwise be viewed solely as a humorous “cat on a car roof” moment. She balanced the absurdity of the situation with practical caution.
Back at the house, the scene that greeted the Swensons was so vivid it is easy to imagine it like a movie still. Their realtor pulled into the driveway, and there on top of the car sat Bruce. The cat looked stoic and composed, apparently unfazed by his brief journey through the neighborhood. The family could not help but laugh when they saw him perched calmly, as if this were simply his preferred mode of transportation. According to Swenson, Bruce had evidently decided to fall asleep on the roof before the car ever left the driveway, turning the vehicle into an unwitting cat taxi.
In a lighthearted caption shared on Instagram, Swenson thanked Hicken for “Ubering Bruce back,” a playful phrase that captures the tone of the whole event. Bruce was not frantic or clinging to the roof in fear. The narrative instead paints a picture of a cat casually enjoying a ride, or at the very least completely relaxed about it. That detail has helped the story resonate with people who enjoy funny cat behavior and charming real estate agent stories alike. It touches on the way social media often amplifies small absurdities that might have once remained simple neighborhood anecdotes.
The episode also highlights how pets can reshape ordinary professional encounters such as a visit from a realtor. Here, the relationship between client and agent was already friendly, and Bruce’s presence across multiple home transactions created a small ongoing connection. When a pet like Bruce becomes part of the backdrop to major life events such as moving homes or meeting with a realtor, they sometimes end up being remembered just as vividly as the paperwork or the property itself. The “realtor driving away from client’s house with a cat on the car roof” image is exactly the kind of moment that lingers in memory and invites retelling.
Stories like this can serve as casual reminders of the importance of keeping an eye on outdoor cats around vehicles, especially curious ones who like to climb and nap in high or unusual places. While the narrative here is light and ends safely, many people have experienced the smaller version of this scenario, such as finding a pet tucked under a car, lounging on a hood warmed by the engine, or slipping into open spaces during errands. The detail that neighbors noticed Bruce and helped alert Hicken is a nice illustration of how community attention can help keep animals safe.
Bruce’s rooftop journey checks all the boxes of a shareable, heartwarming clip: a distinctive tuxedo cat with extra toes, a kind realtor who handles a surprise with composure, observant neighbors, and a family that can laugh at their pet’s antics. It transforms an everyday task into a memorable snapshot of modern life, where a cat nap can accidentally turn into a neighborhood event. For those who live with similarly adventurous animals, the idea of a feline hitchhiker may feel less like a shock and more like an almost inevitable chapter in a long history of mischief. Whatever Bruce’s next escapade might be, this ride on the roof of a car has already secured his place as a beloved neighborhood character and an unforgettable part of the Swensons’ home story. Read more at https://www.thedodo.com
