Stray cat popular for sleeping on stoves in Thailand dies, leaves behind litter of kittens

Stray cat that liked sleeping on stoves dies, but his cute kittens continue his legacy

Unique quirks aren’t exclusive to humans — animals have them too.

Take, for example, this stray cat turned internet sensation from Thailand, who had a penchant for snoozing atop stoves and other sooty surfaces.

Sadly, the rugged yet handsome feline crossed the rainbow bridge in mid-April.

However, his memory lives on through his equally dashing offspring.

Orange cat saw stoves as beds

The furry internet celebrity was called Hia-jon-non-tao (เฮียจรนอนเตา), which literally translates to “stray uncle who sleeps on stoves” in Thai.

It’s not hard to see where he got his nickname from.

Frequently captured in photos circulated on Facebook, his orange coat often bore the evidence of his stovetop naps, usually tinged black from the soot.

He once also rolled in flowers that dyed his fur purple. Perhaps he did not like being an oyen or orange cat.

Sadly, the stove-loving feline passed away on 17 April.

The vet believes he may have been poisoned, which led to him falling ill despite efforts from his owners to take care of him.

He was given a funeral and buried next to his favourite stove.

But his story doesn’t end there.

Leaves behind legacy of cute kittens

Turns out, ‘Uncle Stove’ was quite popular with the ladies.

His last mate, a blind cat he brought home, revealed the gentle heart beneath his ginger swagger.

His owner revealed that the blind cat still waits for him at the door daily, longing for his return.

Over the seven months they had spent together, she would wait for him to come home from his day out. Then, they would eat dinner together.

Before his passing, he fathered a litter of five kittens, who have since been put up for adoption.

Of the five, only one is male, and he bears a striking resemblance to his father.

Time will tell if he inherits his dad’s affinity for sooty slumbers.

The owner added that they plan to visit the kittens regularly in their new homes.

Also read: Cat needs new home after S’pore owner who lived alone dies from cancer

Cat needs new home after S’pore owner who lived alone dies from cancer

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from เฮียจรนอนเตา on Facebook and เฮียจรนอนเตา on Facebook.