A UK couple who got their claws on a £1 million (US$1.2 million) lottery prize thanked their pet cat for the win.
Andrew and Paula Hancock thanked their cat Shortcake for their new-found fortune after buying the winning ticket at their local gas station.
The couple, who run a catering business together, had forgotten the cat's dinner, so Andrew went to the store to pick up some grub for the hungry feline.
Turns out forgetful Andrew purchased a Monopoly Millionaire Scratchcard instead, and in the excitement again forgot to pick up cat food for the six-year-old ginger cat — so the pet ended up eating ham later that evening.
Andrew, 46, and Paula, 43, who live near Mansfield, Notts, now plan on enjoying some time off with a vacation to Australia and other trips abroad.
But so far, the only purchase they have made is a new phone for their 12-year-old son Xavier.
Asked if the affectionate pet "Shorty" had brought them much luck before, Andrew said, "Not particularly. He's just a normal cat."
The couple also added that the feline "does like a fight", joking that he "keeps everybody up at night".
However, Andrew said he would now "absolutely" be getting an upgrade on his cat food after landing the couple a coveted spot in the millionaire's club, following the scratch-off win on July 24.
Shortcake appeared to be taking everything in his stride as he was photographed during a press call at The Pumping House, in Ollerton, on Tuesday.
"We'd had about a 10-12-hour shift and on the way home I said 'I'm going to nip home, and on the way I'll get some food for tea for tonight and I'll get some cat food'," Andrew said. "I got back home and I'd forgotten the cat food."
Andrew continued: "So I went into the petrol station, filled up, got a scratchcard and went back to the car and scratched it in the car — and still didn't get the cat food.
"So I scratched the card and I'm looking at the card, in disbelief. So I thought, I'll get straight home and go out for the cat food and get that later on."
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I hope 'Shortcake' leaves them an arse load of widdle presents 4 the lateness of his dinner
To be fair, it doesn't appear from the photos that Shorty has been deprived of many meals. 😉
Shorty looks like a Tabby. Is he a midnight howler and fighter?
Congratulations to them for winning $1.2 million! They can fund their son's College and add to their own retirement plans.
I need a cat!
😏that maybe so
but try explaining that to shortcake
Doesn't everybody order pet food online from Chewy.com? Or is that US only? They sound a bit disorganized but maybe they will get organized now. But the disorganization led to the win.
Congrats to the kitty and his owners.
Meow!
I'm so glad you posted that about Chewy.com....my daughter had told me some time ago to order
from there and I forgot it...and especially the litter.
Got a new kitty cat and she likes canned food...should not have let her have any so now trying to get her
back on the dry.
That's a cute kitty the man has in the picture...he does look like he's not missed many meals...
My cat is already gaining weight so I have to watch it...hate to hear her meow on and on!
I have her so spoiled...she even got me up last night to play with her...she dragged her yarn string toy that is
tied to a long handle and wanted me to dangle it for her to jump for it...lordy lordy!
Happy for the family who won & their precious kitty cat!
Now I read more in the article and see if it weren't for the cat needing cat food they may not have
won...Lucky Shortcake!...buy him some expensive food and toys...he deserves it!
Dry kitty food has more calories. Both wet and dry are ok. I do that for my dog.
Chewy was acquired by Petsmart 3 years ago so the service has remained excellent so we will see if it continues. I am not a Petsmart fan.
The Cat thinks they're
.now Haha