Cat Acts Like a Dog While Playing Fetch, Wins Pet of the Week

Another week in the pet world brought us through an emotional rollercoaster. From a senior dog settling into his forever home after six years at the shelter, to a cat’s late-night zoomies, we’ve laughed and cried.

And to round out the week is, of course, the best of the best from our Newsweek readers.

Follow the instructions at the end of this article if you wish to submit your pet to be considered for an upcoming Pet of the Week edition.

Winner

This week’s winner is a 1-year-old cat named Elliot who acts more like a dog than a feline.

Nancee Burrows told Newsweek via email that she rescued Elliot as a kitten last April. For the last eight months, Elliot has found his favorite method of playing, fetching. Stunned by his obsession, Burrows started telling people Elliot is her “cat/dog.”

Burrows said Elliot is the one who initiated the game. Whenever he is ready for a round of fetch, he’ll carry his mini toy mouse in his mouth and drop it in front of Burrows. She’ll throw it across the room, and he chases it. He’ll then bring it back and repeat the process.

“I have several kitties because they are my life and best friends, but Elliott is just special to me because he is the first cat I have ever had that really plays with me,” Burrows said.

Finalists

When eMike DuBois moved into his home, he learned he had unintentionally adopted a cat. DuBois told Newsweek via email that the 13-year-old cat named Lil’Kitty came with the house, but because of that, she was the “ruler.”

He learned that Lil’Kitty has since allowed him to live with her. She makes the rules. He will put food down for her, but Lil’Kitty will turn away until he looks the other way. It has to be her idea. But she’s also “loving and caring.”

“Since my wife’s passing, she checks on me every night,” he said. “If I’ve had a tough day, she’ll stay all night.”

Katie Outler originally thought her dog, Zero, could not be around cats. As a Siberian Husky mix, she told Newsweek he has a “very high small prey drive.”

She decided to bring home a cat anyway for her husband’s birthday, keeping the pets separated for weeks. They slowly introduced Zero to Moo-Moo, and much to their surprise, the two became friendly. The couple has since rescued another cat.

“We thought it was going to take months, but our Chihuahua also kept Zero in line around the cat, acting as a protective momma dog to the kitten,” Outler said. “Zero loves other animals. He usually wants to chase the cats outside, but since bringing in Moo-Moo, he’s relaxed, sniffs them, and lets them run all over him.”

As for the cats, it took them time to get used to Zero, but now, they’ll snuggle.

Pets always hold a special place in owners’ hearts, even after they have passed, which Katrina Pierce knows firsthand.

Her two cats, Lita and Grumble, were the best of friends. The picture of them sleeping together in the laundry hamper is just one snapshot of their relationship. She told Newsweek that they “loved each other so much.”

However, Pierce tragically lost Grumble after he was hit by a car, but the memory will live on forever.

“I always have this picture to remind me of what a sweet-hearted baby boy he was,” she said.

If you think your pet could be next week’s Newsweek “Pet of the Week,” send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them, to life@newsweek.com, and they could appear in our “Pet of the Week” lineup.