The story of Nalle – also known by his full name Shivatazz Polar Bear – brought a smile to the faces of many Swedes when his story spread on social media after he was recently named cat hero of the year by Sweden's public broadcaster SVT's evening show.
His feat? No small one. The alert one-and-a-half year old pet saved his owner's life.
Annie Narvefors, 23, from Karlskrona in southern Sweden told The Local on Tuesday that she was asleep when Nalle prodded her with his paw.
When she turned around to tell him off, a bit sleepy and annoyed, she smelled burned plastic and noticed smoke coming from her mobile phone charger. But thanks to Nalle she was able to wake up in time to avert the potentially cat-astrophic blaze.
Nalle saved his owner when her phone charger overheated. Photo: Private
Narvefors confirmed that her beloved cat had become somewhat of a celebrity after the incident, which happened in August. News of his recent hero award was among the most shared on Swedish viral news site Sociala Nyheter this week.
“I work in nursing and several of the people I care for have bought every paper Nalle has featured in and watched him when he's been on TV. It's great to see him lighting up other people's lives as well and not just mine,” she told The Local.
But there is a serious side to the story, which comes after several recent reports of mobile phone chargers overheating in the past year, and Narvefors admitted the experience had made her more careful.
“It feels scary. I was especially worried a week after the incident, I would go and feel the charger when it was plugged in because I was scared it would overhead. But I don't charge my phone at night any more. I dare not,” she said.
As for Nalle, he is still waiting for his winnings to arrive from SVT, including a stylish cat collar and a diploma.
“When it arrives we're going to celebrate him. But he's been given a couple of new toys and some extra tasty food,” said proud owner Narvefors.
The adorable cat is not the only heroic animal in to capture public attention Sweden this autumn. Last month The Local wrote about a brave Belgian Shepherd who was named police dog of the year after he tracked down a missing toddler.
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