Chek likes to 'ambush'
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Chek, a stray cat adopted by Nasrullah Al-Hussaini, has a unique habit of ambushing its owner.
- The cat hides and then playfully pounces on Nasrullah's feet, a routine that has amused him for four years.
- Chek's playful 'attacks' are a sign of affection, despite the cat's hearing impairment and tendency to hide with its body still visible.
In Selangor, Malaysia, a street cat named Chek has developed an endearing and surprising habit: 'ambush attacks' on its owner, Nasrullah Al-Hussaini. For the past four years, Chek has been playfully pouncing on Nasrullah's feet whenever he passes certain spots, a routine that, while initially startling, has become a source of daily amusement and affection.
Nasrullah, who has loved cats since childhood, adopted Chek when it was a kitten. He fondly calls the now four-year-old cat Chek, a nickname derived from its actual name, Kecik. The unique behavior began unexpectedly when Nasrullah thought Chek was lost. Due to a hearing impairment, Chek is difficult to call, and one day, it emerged from under a table and playfully lunged at Nasrullah's feet, revealing it had merely been hiding.
It makes me laugh every time because he thinks we can't see him, but his body is still visible because he's quite fat.
Since then, this playful pouncing has become Chek's signature move. The cat often hides behind furniture, peeking out as Nasrullah walks by. Amusingly, Chek seems to believe its hiding is perfect, even though its rather plump body remains clearly visible. This visual contrast, combined with the cat's stealthy approach, never fails to make Nasrullah laugh.
Occasionally, Chek performs an even rarer feat: standing on its hind legs to hug Nasrullah's legs. This tender gesture, coupled with the playful ambushes, highlights the strong bond between the owner and his unique feline companion. Despite its challenging start as a stray, Chek has brought immense joy and a daily dose of surprise to Nasrullah's life.
That's very rare. I think it's very cute because it stands on two legs while hugging my leg.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.