Gracie Mae Snuck Into Suitcase, Flew From FL To Dallas

And now, a story which may restore your faith in the goodness of people... and remove any remaining shred of faith you ever had in baggage screening.

Gracie Mae is described as a shy 10-month-old tabby cat. She's owned by Kelly and Seth Levy of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Gracie Mae apparently spooks easily, and tends to run and hide when startled.

Something must have startled Gracie last Friday, while Seth was packing for a business trip because -- unnoticed by the couple -- she hid in Seth's big, black checked bag just before he closed it up and left for Dallas.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports Kelly noticed her cat was missing, looked in the usual hiding places, and hung posters in the neighborhood. Then, she got a remarkable phone call from Fort Worth, TX.

As Kelly recalls it, the man said, "Hi, you're not going to believe this, but... I accidentally picked up your husband's luggage. And when I opened the luggage, a cat jumped out."

The man, who has not identified himself, not only bought Gracie an $80 flight back to Florida and a travel carrier... but also paid for a cab from the airport to bring the cat home.

Kelly Levy is thrilled that her kitty is back and apparently OK. Gracie Mae had just been spayed and was still in stitches when she was zipped into a dark suitcase, thrown into a car trunk, and subjected to an x-ray scan and whatever other unspeakable things happen to your luggage at airports.

Gee... we wonder why Gracie Mae is shy around people?

FMI: www.tsa.gov