Heartwarming moment owner sees beloved cat starring in Boots’ Christmas advert

KAREN MURRAY was stunned when she turned on the telly and saw her beloved cat starring in Boots’ Christmas advert.

She recalled how she “went goosebumpy all over” when a CGI version of her four-year-old moggy Marley appeared on the screen dressed as Puss In Boots.

Karen had taken the Maine Coon for an advertising photoshoot at the high-street chemist four months earlier but was shocked to learn Marley had been chosen as the star of Boots’ showpiece festive campaign.

She said: “I only realised when I was in my kitchen making dinner. I looked up at the TV screen and went, ‘Oh my God, it’s Marley!’

“I nearly fell over when I saw it. It was a proud mum moment. I went goosebumpy all over.”

Back in July, Karen, who owns the Dollzuki Maine Coons cattery, was contacted by the animal agency Urban Paws asking if she and Marley would be available for a photoshoot for Boots.

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Gentle giant

Karen said: “It was Marley’s first ever job so it was incredibly exciting.

“I was told it was for an advert called Puss in Boots but didn’t know it was going to be their big Christmas ad.

“They took some photos and stills against a green backdrop which was then used to help them create a CGI cat.

“Marley loved every moment of it.” Karen, of Royston, Herts, says the real-life Marley has a huge personality, just like his alter ego in the ad.

“He’s a gentle giant,” she said. “He’s very intelligent and he’s been trained to walk on a leash.

“He hasn’t been to a Boots store but he does go to our local pub.

“When he was first born, I hand-reared him so there’s a very special bond.”

Marley follows in the footsteps of Buster the lovable boxer dog from John Lewis’ 2016 festive campaign.

The playful pooch, whose real name was Biff, stole hearts across the country by bouncing on a trampoline on Christmas Day.

But Karen thinks Marley’s ad is much better. “It’s the best Christmas advert this year, but I might be biased,” she laughed.

“Our TikTok, Dollzuki_Maine_Coons, has exploded with followers, so I’m absolutely thrilled. Marley is a superstar.”