Maru the Cat, 2007 – 2025

Maru, a Japanese cat who became an internet star, died of lung cancer on Sept. 6, age 18 (my cat Dorothy also died of lung cancer—I tried to get her to give up smoking, but the minute I’d leave for work, she’d light up a Camel and mix a cocktail). Maru was adopted from a vet, and his love of boxes—even more so than most cats—soon made him an internet sensation. A Guinness World Record holder for the most-viewed animal, his videos were seen over 535 million times (535 million and one, now), he was sponsored by Fresh Step, seen in Japanese ads, and was featured in two books, I am Maru and More Maru. He is survived by his sister Miri.

Maru https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aKxRzqeVlw