The internet recently bid farewell to one of its most beloved and musical feline stars: Cala, the cat known for her unique, song-like meows, has passed away.
Cala first captured the hearts of many in April when her owner, Elizabeth Toth, posted a video showcasing Cala’s distinctive meowing style. “She loves to meow like this during playtime,” Elizabeth shared on TikTok. Cala’s melodic meows, resembling the phrase “I go meow, I go meow,” quickly went viral, captivating audiences worldwide. Elizabeth humorously suggested, “Get her a record deal. Stat.”
“I Go Meow” Song
In a delightful turn of events, Cala nearly got her record deal when South African musician The Kiffness transformed her viral video into a fully-produced single. The musician added music to Cala’s meows and created surprisingly profound lyrics:
I go meow, I go meow,
I go meow, I go meow,
I don’t know who I am,
Look away, away…
The song resonated deeply, garnering 2.6 million views on YouTube and over 1.3 million streams on Spotify, making Cala an unexpected musical sensation.
Sadly, Elizabeth announced yesterday that Cala had passed away. Elizabeth expressed her heartbreak, revealing that she discovered Cala was older than initially thought, which made her sudden passing even more shocking. “I adopted Cala thinking she was young with a full life ahead of her,” Elizabeth wrote on TikTok. “However, Cala had gotten sick and was not recovering. Although we were optimistic and Cala fought very hard, she was not improving… Cala ultimately passed away in my arms due to old age. She was surrounded by humans who love her.” Elizabeth thanked her nearly one million followers for their support, stating their love for Cala will ensure she is never forgotten.
Elizabeth plans to continue posting videos of Cala to honor her memory. The Kiffness also shared a heartfelt tribute, releasing a new version of the “I Go Meow” song featuring Cala with wings and a halo, singing from heaven. The updated lyrics suggest that Cala has found peace:
I go now, I go now,
I go now, go now,
I now know who I am,
Drift away, away…
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“A bright light has gone out, but Cala’s sweet little voice will go meow for eternity!” The Kiffness wrote. He expressed his surprise at Cala’s death, believing she was just a kitten, and sent love to Elizabeth, thanking her for providing Cala with a loving home. “Please join me in thanking Elizabeth for adopting Cala – for taking her off the streets, giving her a home & for sharing Cala’s unique antics with the world. She brightened all of our lives, and she will continue to do so even though she is no longer with us.”
Cala’s legacy will live on through the love and music she inspired.