Friday 1 April 2011

The 2011 Search For The Internet's Toughest Moggies: The Winners

Massive thanks to everyone who entered this year's Toughest Cat Comp, and those who tried to sway (and probably did, slightly) the judges. To be honest, there was virtually nothing to choose between the top three - each of whom displays a very different kind of feline toughness to their peers - but my final decision was largely dictated by the fact that I'm a sucker for a good feline rescue story. So, without further ado...

THIRD PLACE
Punk


SECOND PLACE
Beeswax


THE CHAMPION:
Luvly
Before:

After:


Punk and Beeswax both win signed copies of my latest book, Talk To The Tail, which they will hopefully let their owners read after they've finished. Luvly, meanwhile, will received a signed copy, including a special illustration by Jackie Morris, and a £100 HAMPER of the addictive Applaws cat food, which he will be sharing with his fellow moggies at Shropshire Cat Rescue. I was lucky enough to grab a few quick words with him in the aftermath of his victory...

Hello Luvly. How do you feel about winning the title of The Internet's Toughest Cat?
Feelings? Feelings are for the weak and emotional. Er, what's the Internet??

Can you tell us a little bit about your life?
I don't remember much about the beginning. They've told me I was in a bad way and that now I'm a little miracle. Of *course* I'm a miracle, I'm Luvly, and don't you forget it. Daily routine goes something like this........in the mornings one of my servants brings me tasty morsels before I start my daily patrol. There's the elderlies to check in on - that can take a while because they can't half go on. By mid morning my claws need sharpening and as luck would have it there are always four wonderful scratching posts one on each corner of the tin boxes that the hoomans move about in. Then I might go for a siesta in one of the many hideyholes there are dotted around. After a snooze I will go bother the girls in the office, honestly, their grammar leaves alot to be desired but at least I get to torment the mouse. Climbing up trees or on the shed rooves is something I particularly enjoy - from up there I can survey my domain. Early evening more servants arrive with more food, before I cosy up for the night.

And what do you think are your particular "hard cat" qualities?
All this talk of me being hard, pah, I'm a pussycat! I had nothing to do with next door's dog going into therapy. Honest. And what do they expect if I lie on my back for a tummyrub? Of *course*I'm going to grab, that's what claws are for. Can't have people thinking I'm a softie now can I

Finally, what do you plan to do with your winnings, and how are you thinking of celebrating?
As I'm a generous soul I'm going to share the Applaws with some of my comrades, and the elderlies, who are queuing up for it already. Thought I might also have a cattogram. But bet they won't think of that.............


28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Haha brill - very well deserved to everyone xx PS - Still haven't tried my lot with Applaws yet (scared to!!)..

janetmacdonald said...

wow congrats to Luvly ,,and the others too ,,your all so awesome ,,my kitties are purring that you guys won :)

Mimi and Tilly said...

Congratulations to the winners. That photo of Luvly breaks my heart each time I look at it, so I'm mighty pleased to find that Luvly is the winner. A mog would have to be totally tuff to survive that kind of neglect. Well done tuff Luv-ly! (Do you see what I did there?)

Cooperscats said...

Well Done Luvly! You are a true fighter and a tough cookie to pull through such an ordeal! Enjoy the Applaws and take a bow xxx

Chriss Pagani said...

That's great! congratulations to all! :)

I was the submitter of Punk Tom but I always felt funny about it. He's no pet, he's just a hard luck feral tom that lives among the colony for which I provide care. I thought there were better and sadder stories out there.

Thanks again!

Amy Baron said...

so gaia didnt win, im glad it went to another one-eyed cat though!

what a touching story about luvly.

congrats to all - everyone in this contest is a winner!

Andree said...

great choices!

Gill SCR said...

Luvly would like to thank Tom, Ralph and everyone who voted for him. I just hope this success doesn't go to his head..........as if to prove a point, he has just ousted the dog off the comfy cushion in the office!

:-D

Blade - Rainbow Bridge's Toughest Cat :-) said...

Congratulations to Luvly and the runners up - all well deserved winners!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!
I wish more and more people adopt animals and fill your hearts with all love they give us.
God bless you!
Love
Julie

Unknown said...

Love this!

ShannonInLodi said...

Congratulations to the winners

Corvus Fluff said...

A deserving winner. Well done Luvly, enjoy your Applaws.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations guys, especially Luvly.
You look like a softie pretending to be a toughie.
Tikka (who believes she's Persian & posh, but is neither) says she'd touch noses with you any day x

Anonymous said...

Hurrah for Luvley - I hope the kitties enjoy the Applaws and that profile on the site gives the folks at Shropshire rescue centre some much needed funds. If you can stand it check out the story of Domino - totally heartbreaking.

lulugrl said...

OK-so Harald wasn't a winner- but Luvly certainly deserves this one!

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

Congrats to Luvly and the runners up.

Liz McGregor said...

Well done Luvly, I am so pleased for you. Would also like to say best wishes to all of the other contestants. xxx

Jeannette said...

Congratulations Luvly! A we4ll deserved winner. Congratulations also to Punk and Beeswax. You all deserve extra tummy rubs tonight!

jmuhj said...

ConCATs to all -- well deserved. Enjoy (and gloat on) your winnings and bask in the glory of your 15 minutes. Know you are loved. <3

KateKatV said...

Congratulations to Luvly - a very worthy winner indeed. Greebo would have been proud to pass on his title to such a gregarious cat. And how marvellous that he represents a Rescue Centre. Some very touching stories behind the photos, too. Congratulations to all the entrants.

Xanthi said...

I am THRILLED that Luvly won. Made my day! Some would have taken one look at him and decided to just have him put down. I am glad they didn't because look at him now! He is a credit to the Shropshire rescue centre.

Maxine Most said...

Yay for Luvly, I hope his winner luck leads to a cozy bed to snuggle up on soon, although by the looks of him, he is a much loved kitty at the shelter.Thanks to Ralph, Tom and the crew for bringing this to us....

meg said...

Congratulations to all 3 and I voted for you Luvly and I'm loving the result!!!!!Well done to you sweetie aren't the ladies and femme felines gonna love you!
Result!

DamnCuteBunny said...

Congratulations to the top three tuffies and especially to Luvly. All the entrants are winners in my book!

Jackie Morris said...

Ah Luvly, I will send you your book in the post. Kiffer would have been proud to know you!
Brilliant. Beautiful. Erm,, I mean, tough, rough and mean!

The Pet Care Guy said...

From the looks of Luvly, he is one tough kitty. He looked in really bad shape, and who knows what he went through. It's great to see how Luvly has recovered and thriving.

Mousie Kitteh said...

Congratulations Luvly, Beeswax and Punk!! U is all super reelly tuff and I bets teh judges had a hard time seperating u!!