Istanbul's beloved laid-back cat dies, honored with statue

ISTANBUL, Turkey — Tombili was a well-known and much loved cat, often found lounging on the streets of a neighborhood in Istanbul, Turkey.

A photo of the chubby cat striking a relaxed pose made its way to the Internet and quickly showed up in memes.

Tombili died on Aug. 1, according to Anadolu Kedisi of the Anatolian Cat Project. A Change.org petition to honor the beloved feline was signed by over 17,000 supporters. Artist Seval Şahin created a bronze sculpture that captured Tombili's serene spirit. The statue was unveiled at a ceremony on Oct. 4, World Pet Day.

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