The original Morris had an interesting life story.Morris the Cat was a real animal shelter cat—a fifteen-pound orange-striped tabby with dark green eyes and a torn eyelid to be exact.
He was 20 minutes from execution in a suburban Chicago animal shelter but was rescued in 1968 by Bob Martwick, a devoted animal trainer and kennel owner. He then pitched Morris as a celebrity cat to the 9 Lives brand.
Thanks to appearing in 9 Lives TV commercials, he quickly became the most recognizable cat in the world, appearing on national magazine covers, talk shows and even in a major motion picture. Morris was later assigned round-the-clock guards to protect him from kidnappers. He even ran for President in 1988 and 1992 on the Finicky Party platform.
He was 20 minutes from execution in a suburban Chicago animal shelter but was rescued in 1968 by Bob Martwick, a devoted animal trainer and kennel owner. He then pitched Morris as a celebrity cat to the 9 Lives brand.
Thanks to appearing in 9 Lives TV commercials, he quickly became the most recognizable cat in the world, appearing on national magazine covers, talk shows and even in a major motion picture. Morris was later assigned round-the-clock guards to protect him from kidnappers. He even ran for President in 1988 and 1992 on the Finicky Party platform.
His picture still hangs on the wall of the local pound.
