Optical Illusion of Cat on Printed Pillow Hailed Online’Feline Overlords’ – Newsweek

Cats are our best friends and worst enemies, with their fluffiness and aloof attitude seeing owners love and hate them in equal measure.

Known for their fondness of napping, cats can usually be found in the best seat in the house, be it the bed, the sofa or on your laptop.

One pet was enjoying a well-earned rest on the couch, perched on a comfy cushion, when their owner noticed the fabric pattern was creating a bizarre optical illusion.

Dr. Claire Hardaker, whose bio indicates she's a forensic linguist, shared a snap to Twitter on Wednesday, of her fluffy pet in front of a depiction of a deer.

"The old gods are rising again," she captioned the now-viral photo, which has since amassed more than 50,000 likes, and can be seen here.

The ears and antlers of the deer were aligned perfectly with the cat's head, making it appear as if the feline had sprouted fresh appendages.

Numerous people commented on the snap, pledging their allegiance to the new cat god, while also sharing similar snaps of their own pets channeling deities.

Jennifer Dawson wrote: "My daughter wants this as a profile picture. I'm going to need to find a pillow like this so she can recreate this with her own cat."

LittleMo joked: "'Cats were once worshiped as gods, they have never forgotten this' Terry Pratchett."

Funty Nutz of The Underclass thought: "If cats had antlers, they would [be] insufferable. Ok. Even more insufferable."

Deborah Schauffler wrote: "I for one welcome our antlered feline overlords."

SMijhailovic thought: "Very cool look, regal almost. That said, antlers would ruin the almost perfect design of the domestic cat... unless they are weightless and somehow perfectly retractable."

"All hail the Antler Queen!" @aprilataylor added.

Phil Good asked: "If a horned hare is a jackalope, is this a catalope?"

Also referencing the mythical creature, The Demon's Phantom mused: "The ever elusive cat-a-lope."

The jackalope is a fabled creature with the body of a hare, and antlers. Its legend is an integral part of Douglas, Wyoming, which issues "jackalope hunting licenses" and sell "jackalope milk."

The town square even features a giant statue of the creature, as does the Visitors Center, while there's also a 13-foot cut-out of a jackalope near the entrance to the city.

The city's official website links users to the "jackalope proclamation," detailing Douglas' longstanding history with the myth.

The website says: "Let the rest of the world take notice. Douglas, Wyoming is the one, true home of the rare, mysterious and elusive fearsome Jackalope, also known as the "warrior or killer rabbit", as trademarked by the State of Wyoming in 1965 and officially designated by the State in 1985.

"While the traveler is unlikely to have the opportunity to have an actual sighting of the rare and ferocious jackalope, they will witness its strong impact on the community. The jackalope is the prominent feature on the City seal and logo, which testifies that 'We know Jack.'

"It is a prominent feature of the City entrance signs, the impressive Yellowstone Highway bridge over the North Platte River, and numerous additional elements of the community; and is celebrated during Jackalope Days each June." Its notoriety in Douglas was immortalized in the 2006 film, Stagbunny.

An excerpt from the city's proclamation, from 1985, quotes the then-governor of the state of Wyoming, Ed Herschler, declaring Douglas is the official "home of the jackalope."

Newsweek reached out to Hardaker for comment.

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Optical Illusion of Cat on Printed Pillow Hailed Online'Feline Overlords' - Newsweek