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When a cat with severely matted fur arrived at a local vet clinic, the staff immediately recognized how uncomfortable he must be. Both the cat and his elderly owner had struggled to manage his condition, so the team got to work, carefully shaving him to remove the mats.
The process took half a day, with frequent breaks to ensure the cat’s comfort and reduce stress. Once the mats were gone, the cat was visibly relieved and much more at ease.
Mackenzie Thompson, a surgical assistant at the clinic, walked in as the last mat was being removed. Seeing the large clump of fur on the table sparked an idea in her mind.
“Seeing that big mat of fur, I immediately felt a surge of inspiration and relief for the cat,” Thompson told The Dodo.
The team thought the mat resembled another cat and decided to have some fun with it. One of the vets even pulled out a pair of googly eyes from her desk drawer. They attached the eyes to the fur mat, creating a hilarious mini "cat" they named Mat-thew.
The staff had a blast staging a photo shoot with their new furry friend. The pictures of Mat-thew quickly went viral on social media, with many people initially believing the creation was a real animal before realizing the truth.
"Is he up for adoption?" one amused commenter asked.
Mat-thew enjoyed his time in the clinic’s kennel, received a checkup, and got plenty of cuddles from his new friends. In a field often filled with stress and sadness, Mat-thew’s creation provided a delightful break and reminded the team of the joy they can find in their work.
“We’re surrounded by sadness, pain, and hurt every day, but moments like this allow us to bring a little light and laughter into our lives,” Thompson said.
