New Zealand Is In Mourning Following The Death Of Paddles, The PM’s Six-Toed Cat
RIP.
New Zealand is a nation in mourning following the tragic death of its First Cat, Paddles, who was killed on Tuesday after being hit by a car.
Paddles belonged to New Zealand’s recently elected Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, and her partner, Clarke Gayford. The rescue cat was famous for her polydactyl abnormality – an extra set of claws that looked like thumbs.
She also had her own (unofficial) Twitter account with more than 11,000 followers, and wasn’t afraid of weighing in on the issues of the day.
Prrp I think we should definitely bring our refugee friends home to Aotearoa from Manus Island. #bringthemhere. I might get a pat.
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) November 2, 2017
Arden confirmed Paddles’ passing in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning.
“To anyone who has ever lost a pet, you’ll know how sad we feel,” she wrote. “Paddles was much loved, and not just by us. Thanks for everyone’s thoughts.”
She also encouraged her constituents to support the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the organisation Paddles was adopted from.
The sad news of Paddles’ untimely demise has been met with an outpouring of grief on social media.
Thoughts are with @jacindaardern over her loss of Paddles. I’ve lost three of our four cats to cars and each time it is devastating. So sad.
— David Farrar (@dpfdpf) November 7, 2017
Sorry I can’t come into work today, too upset about Paddles. #RIPPaddles ?
— Kelly Teed (@kellyteed) November 7, 2017
@GovGeneralNZ surely a state funeral for the spiritual leader of the nation and first cat, Paddles ❤️?
— Archie Buissink (@ArchieBuissink) November 7, 2017
Paddles did more good with her life than the majority of elected officials. #ripPaddles
— Ms Chief (@clingycat45) November 7, 2017
RIP Paddles. How many more celebrities must you take from us, cruel year of our Lord 2017?
— Nic Sampson (@NicSampson) November 7, 2017
May Paddles rest in StarClan ?????? @FirstCatofNZ pic.twitter.com/MMzIWEkxPy
— EmmAnimagus??? (@JulikoHD) November 7, 2017
I’m honestly gutted about the news. Can’t quite believe it. Day of mourning. pic.twitter.com/iIwihWby0d
— Gary (@GaryTweeted) November 7, 2017
Me on hearing the news Paddles, the First Cat of NZ and spiritual leader of our nation, has passed away ???????? pic.twitter.com/5kCXxpYD15
— Anna Loren (@annaloren) November 7, 2017
Observing a moment’s silence to mark the tragic passing of Paddles, @FirstCatofNZ
Taken from us too, too soon pic.twitter.com/4utqLqKZuP
— Nick Grant (@Nof_Grant) November 7, 2017
Oh, God. Just imagine being the person who ran over Paddles. https://t.co/BPzSAtan25
— Simon Wong (@wimon_song) November 7, 2017
Did an Australian with a dark cat killing past eliminate Paddles for geopolitical purposes? I’m just asking the question.
— Rick Morton (@SquigglyRick) November 7, 2017
RIP Paddles. You will be missed.
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Feature image via FirstCatOfNz/Twitter