Even then, to his credit, Ang Lee is never tempted to domesticate this cat, except briefly, when both boy and beast are starving and at death's door.

CNN: Review: 'Life of Pi' is bold and wondrous

After a near-death experience in 1977 helped trigger a spiritual awakening, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens (and the man long ago known as Steven Demetre Georgiou) converted to Islam and retired from secular music-making in 1979.

NPR: Yusuf Islam: the Former Cat Stevens on His New CD

The current world record for the oldest cat was set by Creme Puff who lived with her owner in Texas, USA, until her death in 2005 at the age of 38.

BBC: Bedford cat set to be recognised as the "oldest in the UK"