Russian President denied reports that his pet feline had gone missing, contradicting reports of a wide-reaching police search for the pet
Russian President denied reports that his pet feline had gone missing, contradicting reports of a wide-reaching police search for the petRussian President Dmitry Medvedev reassured Russians yesterday that his cat Dorofey was safe after reports that it had run away made him an object of satire on Twitter. "About the cat. A source close to #Dorofey says he has not got lost anywhere. Thank you all for your concern!", Medvedev tweeted from a trip to Asia.
By then a newly created Twitter account in the cat's name had almost 400 followers and attracted many remarks making fun of Medvedev's subordinate relationship to President-elect Vladimir Putin. "It's simple. I ran away from Medvedev because he promised to hand me over to Vladimir Putin. Help me hide!," @KotDorofey tweeted in a play on words after Medvedev said this week he would pass on a message from US President Barack Obama to Putin after talks in Seoul.
Reports that Dorofey had been lost spread after a tabloid newspaper, Sobesednik, said he was missing and that appeals to find him had been posted on telephone poles in the elite Moscow suburb near Medvedev's official residence. "Police are already nervous and searching for the cat under every shrub," it wrote beside pictures of the fluffy, blue-eyed cat, described as a rare Nevsky Masquerade acquired by his wife for about $1,000 (Rs 50,790) in 2003.
Some Twitter users were sympathetic but many joked the cat showed good sense to make a break for it.
'"It's now or never, Dorofey thought," Anatoly Srakarny tweeted. "Run, #Dorofey, Run!" was another popular tag line. Alexander Gorbunov joked: "Dorofey's owner should learn from his example. The cat has character and doesn't need to agree his actions with anyone!"
Presidential pets>>u00a0The Obamas debuted their newest addition to their family, a Portuguese water dog named Bo in 2009. Michelle calls him the son of the family.u00a0
>> In 2011, British PM welcomed a new guest to 10 Downing Streetu00a0 a cat named Larry.u00a0
>> Former president of US John Quincy Adams, kept an alligatoru00a0 and is said to have enjoyed watching it slither down the White House steps and chase visiting dignitaries.
>>u00a0Humphrey was adopted in 1989 after wandering into No 10 as a stray while Margaret Thatcher was prime minister.
