Remember this? Larry the Cat celebrates a decade at 10 Downing Street pic.twitter.com/c5Oy4MyHUG
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 17, 2021
Source: Reuters on Twitter, 17/12/2021
The tabby-and-white cat arrived at 10 Downing Street on Feb. 15, 2011, at the age of four.
And was recruited by then-Prime Minister David Cameron to deal with a pack of rats seen scuttling close to the British leader’s official residence.
He was adopted from London’s Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, an animal shelter.
The cat was chosen for his mousing skills,
He received the title of Chief Mouser – the first inhabitant of the prime minister’s famous residence and office to do so.
But while he did catch three mice in his early months, according to David Cameron, his first prime minister, he has since disappointed, leaving the role in the «tactical planning stage».
He was the first cat to hold the rat-catching portfolio since the retirement of Humphrey in 1997, and has loyally served three prime ministers.
Larry has rubbed up against numerous world leaders on state visits – with varying degrees of friendliness.
Larry, who has met a number of world leaders, has been largely unfriendly to men but took a liking to former U.S. President Barack Obama.
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When former President Donald Trump visited in 2019, Larry took a nap under his car.
Larry became known for his occasional scraps with neighboring cats — especially Palmerston, chief mouser to the Foreign Office across the street — and fondness for sleep.
Palmerston has retired to the countryside in 2020.
These days Larry, now 14, is often seen by photographers.
The Britain’s Chief Mouser, Larry the Cat has been a fixture of the British political landscape for a decade now, serving three prime ministers from his post at 10 Downing Street.
Larry has cohabited with David Cameron,Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.
«In a nation of animal-lovers, a cat in Downing Street plays a crucial role in public relations», the historian Anthony Seldon told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
«It helps to humanise the prime minister,» said the author of biographies of the last four leaders.
At times of crisis, a cat can «act as a distraction», he added.
On Christmas Eve, as journalists waited outside for a Brexit trade deal announcement, Larry suddenly rushed forward and pounced on a pigeon, prompting gasps of excitement.
Larry has an unofficial Twitter account, @Number10cat, with more than 475,300 followers.
Contacted via social media, the account’s author insisted there is no human intervention and gave a brief insight into Larry’s long rule at Downing Street.
«The key thing to remember is that I live here permanently, the politicians just lodge with me for a bit until they’re fired,» he said.
«They all work out sooner or later that it’s me that runs the place.»
Sources: Reuters, YouTube
Last Updated on 17.12.2021 by iskova