World,s longest cat

The longest cat in the World.

STEWIE, the longest domestic cat in the world at more than 1.2 meters long from nose to tail, has died. He was eight.

Stewie was surrounded by family when he succumbed to a yearlong battle with cancer on Monday evening at his Reno home in Nevada, owner Robin Hendrickson said. 

Guinness World Records declared Stewie the record-holder in August 2010, measuring 1.23 meters from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.

Hundreds of fans flooded Stewie's Facebook site with memories and condolences on Tuesday. The Maine Coon cat was a certified therapy animal that frequently visited a Reno senior center and helped promote animal welfare awareness with the Nevada Humane Society.

"Stewie was always very social and loved meeting new people," Hendrickson said. "He has touched many lives, and for that I am grateful."

Hendrickson bought him from a breeder in in 2005. Last month, he attended the International Cat Show in Portland.

"He did really well at the show, even though he wasn't feeling totally perfect," said Valerie Horton, the show's entry clerk. "He loved being there because he loved the public."

EB