Finding a cat on an oil rig in the Caspian Sea off Kazakhstan's coast is unusual enough, but for that cat to end up in the rolling green hills of West Yorkshire is even more extraordinary. Yet that's exactly what happened. Gerry was my cat, and a stunning one at that-a fluffy burst of white and ginger, adventurous, intelligent, and full of personality. His story was so strange and unlikely that I couldn't resist telling it.

I chose to imagine the tale from Gerry's perspective. The first part is pure conjecture-my own flight of fancy-though it's rooted in careful research and inspired by Gerry's remarkable spirit. Perhaps his real journey was even more incredible than the one I've told, but I know he'd have approved of my attempt to honour his daring, fearless, and reckless nature, as well as his instinct for survival.