They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but they clearly haven’t met Angus the cat, the affectionate feline who lives in Ryman Healthcare’s Keith Park Village in Hobsonville with his owner Wally Annett!

The sociable grey and white cat became a TikTok sensation two years ago when Wally’s granddaughter Sarah posted a video of her Nana Helen and Poppy Wally pushing Angus around the village gardens in his trolley and going for walks on a leash.

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The video went viral and even prompted a feature on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp, with the team excited to feature the famous Angus being pushed around in his own ‘cat carriage’, charming Keith Park residents along the way with his chilled out vibe.

With Helen sadly passing away in June, the routines and companionship that Angus provides have been even more of a comfort to Wally than ever, with Sarah posting a poignant update on TikTok.

“After 69 years with Nana it’s the simple routines and Angus that help Poppy keep going,” Sarah posted. “Cats can be a man’s best friend too!”

“He’s great company,” agrees Wally.

“We still go for our walks around the building and around the village. He rolls around and carries on and anyone who’s out, he has to visit them.”

While the wintry weather has kept them both indoors a bit more, Angus has proved to be the best snuggler, cosying up to Wally for pats and purrs, especially at bedtime.

“He sleeps on the bed,” says Wally. “He actually sleeps on top of me!” he laughs.

Angus chose Wally and Helen as his preferred owners shortly before they moved into the village in July 2021, a move that Helen had initiated.

The couple was excited to make the move while remaining out in their beloved west Auckland and keeping all their local connections intact.

Angus soon slotted into their daily lives in the village, enjoying daily walks in his carriage and short walks on his leash, befriending fellow residents at every turn.

While he was affectionate with both Helen and Wally, he was definitely ‘Wal’s cat’ right from the start.

“He’s a man’s cat,” agrees Wally. “Cats are often like that I think.”

Walkies time for Wally and Angus

Walkies time for Wally and Angus

Sarah says Wally and Angus have a strong following on social media with a recent video she posted racking up over a million views and making it onto the news in the USA!

Losing her Nana Helen was incredibly sad, she said.

“I’m so grateful Poppy still has Angus by his side.

“Their bond is something really special, and I think Angus has brought Poppy a lot of comfort and companionship during such a difficult time.

“There’s something incredibly healing about the quiet presence of an animal, especially when dealing with grief.”

In the meantime, Wally will continue to take Angus for his daily walks, just two senior boys hanging out together.

With Angus being 14 years old now, he’s about the same age in cat years as Wally, who turns 94 in October, making them the most purrrfect companions.