The snowshoe cat is a medium-large hybrid of the Siamese and American shorthair breeds that originated in the United States. The name "snowshoe" refers to the cat's four distinctive white paws.

Whitaker, a 16-year-old snowshoe cat, had become less playful with age, and Asher's energetic attempts at interaction were proving too much for him. More From Newsweek Vault: The Top Rewards ...