December 25, 1753

A horse called the Godolphin Arabian, named after it's owner, the second Earl of Godolphin, was a brown bay , considered now one of the studs founding the racing stock in England. The painting George Stubbs did of the horse is very famous and you have probably seen it already. But you may not have noticed a yellow cat which Stubbs included in the painting. Then as now, a cat and horse could form a companionship which was allowed because of the calming effect on the horse.

According to Planet Cat: A CAT-alog, this cat refused to leave the side of his friend after the horse died, on December 25, 1753. After the body was removed the cat disappeared and was later found dead.

The book I reference, by Arden Moore, Sandra Choron, and Harry Choron was published in 2007 and is a charming compilation of cat trivia and unsubstantiated gossip.