Mean Kitty Sparta: An Internet Sensation

| Print | By Jo Singer | July 29, 2009 10:12 AM

I am a sucker for creative, entertaining cat videos. It is not uncommon for me to spend a good deal of time on YouTube checking out those that have catchy titles or themes. And when I find one that tickles my funny bone, I am apt to share them with my friends.

This said, however, when I first ran across the "Mean Kitty" video series on YouTube, I was totally put off just by the title. I was prepared to grit my teeth as I launched the first of many of Cory William's short films. After all would a true cat lover have named his works "Mean Kitty? But I found myself giving into my "cat-like curiosity. I had to check it out for myself.

Photo credit: Cory Williams
29-Sparta 2.jpgI was totally prepared to watch a video that was lacking in affection for cats and the understanding of the true nature of the feline species. To be honest, my back was about to arch in protest. And, if I had a tail it would have been bushed like the preverbal bottle brush.

Finger poised in readiness to write a nasty comment, I was not at all prepared for my positive reaction. I found myself not only delighted by what I was watching, but as soon as the video finished, I immediately began checking out all of Cory's "Mean Kitty" series. I soon learned that he is a very devoted cat lover with a huge following of dedicated fans who have fallen in love with Cory's cats.

I learned that Sparta, a beautiful young Egyptian Mau that Cory adopted and who has captured his heart has Feline Leukemia. Cory's fans were devastated and thousands of well wishes were posted on the site. Articles started appearing on the Internet about Sparta with excellent information about FeLV (http://stanford.wellsphere.com/pet-health-article/sparta-the-mean-kitty-diagnosed-with-felv-and-a-post-on-living-well-with-feline-leukemia/582734).

And while some folks may think that Cory plays too roughly with Sparta, the deep love and understanding between these two is evident. After all, 22,251,451 views of the "Mean Kitty Song" video say a lot! That is a record number of hits by folks who obviously love Sparta and Cory.

And our cats and I are in awe!

"Mean Kitty" now has his own channel where more recent videos are posted along with updates on Sparta's health. It is gratifying to learn that he is doing very well, and that he has been re-united with his feline pal Loki, who was vaccinated. You can follow all of Cory's work at: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TheMeanKitty&view=videos

I do hope you enjoy watching Sparta and Cory's relationship as much as I have.

Have you become a Sparta "fan" by now? Leave a comment and let us know.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Cats (117) , Health (24)



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Comments (12)

Vicki July 29, 2009 2:16 PM

What a cute little diddy about a cute little kitty. It is so obvious that this guy really does love this cute kitty. And I so applaud his attention to him. That takes a very special guy.

jmuhj July 29, 2009 3:43 PM

Sparta is gorgeous and I'm SO sorry to hear that she has been diagnosed FeLv-positive. However, we know that that does not mean a negative quality of life for a cat; with proper medical treatment and monitoring, Sparta should have a happy and relatively healthy life for years to come. I do hope Cory and his girlfriend truly love cats! and as for popularity, it means absolutely nothing. The number of hits a video gets does NOT mean the maker loves cats!

Donna July 29, 2009 5:11 PM

What a totally beautiful kitty! With the right care, he should lead a long healthy life...and I'd bet Cory makes sure he gets it! Thanks for the smile!

Jo Singer July 29, 2009 5:50 PM

To Jmuhj,

You will be happy to know that Cory and his fiance totally adore Sparta and his "brother" Loki. They are the "apples" of their eyes, and they just are nuts about them. The treatment that Sparta is receiving to keep his immune system "perkier" is quite costly, but obviously they are willing to sacrifice for his care.

Actually Sparta has a huge number of fans, many of whom have made videos themselves of get well wishes when Sparta was first diagnosed.

El Simpson July 30, 2009 1:49 PM

Love the video and the story behind it makes it all the more wonderful I just adopted 2 kittens from a rescue and one is named Sid Vicious LOL..Thank you

Skylark July 30, 2009 5:33 PM

This is great! What a wonderful relationship this guy has with Sparta. Very entertaining.

Katherine August 23, 2009 7:10 AM

Loved this video! Reminds me of and has a face just like my little 19-year old kitty. Miss Kitty (also early on a/k/a "Rambo") has this same personality and has been the source of many years of never ending entertainment. We would not have had it any other way--though we have experieced some of the consternation expressed "tongue-in-cheek" by this talented guy. We are sad to know of the leukemia, but glad to know that it is in remission. May Sparta live a long life and give his owner as much wonderful diversion as our Miss Kitty has given us.

Penisa September 1, 2009 3:44 PM

Very much utilitarian transmit but there are some place where I wish not agree. But overall its completely good.

cindy laupher September 18, 2009 7:12 PM

why are u so mean 2wards cats? tney rock! just backoff and leave the website and don't come back!!!!

cody October 23, 2009 12:53 PM

iv been spartas fan for a wile now.I think he's cute and thats commin from a BOY.i wonder hows he's doing. I hope he's doing well. bye

Just discovered I had a Mau November 22, 2009 2:38 PM

This rescued kitten immediately showed signs of a well bred cat. She fetches for hours, chortles, gently bites, and covets attention. A bronze Mau, with a destinctive bandit mark between eyes and cheekbones. Love her!

Raul Balandran December 6, 2009 4:41 PM

I feel bad for your mean kitty because I have a mean kitty to its name neco.

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