THE term 'local celebrity' may get thrown around too easily sometimes - but there really is no other way to describe Pennyburn's Pablo.
The four-year-old feline is a cat so famous he has been immortalised in the area's history, becoming part of a new mural on the insistence of local youngsters.
Such is Pablo's popularity, his owner, Elaine Lawson, had to set up a Facebook page just for him, which now boasts more than 1,500 followers.
But it should come as no surprise, as his colourful antics are always sure to put a smile on the faces of locals.
And he's been that way since Elaine first let Pablo explore the great Pennyburn outdoors, after she bought the cat from a family friend for £40.
"It's the best £40 I’ve ever spent," she said. "He’s just the best wee cat ever.
“It started not long after he was first allowed out. He would follow me to the shop, the school and even to friends' and family’s houses.
“Then he started just taking it upon himself to go for wanders.”
Pablo has even developed his very own routine and is present as often as many staff members at the local shops.
Elaine said: “His routine is that he pretty much leaves the house in the morning with the kids, walks them to school and then hangs around the local shops and hairdressers all day till they finish.
“Sometimes he’ll walk them home and then return to the shops till closing at 8pm.
“I’ve had them call me to come collect him at closing to make sure he doesn’t get locked in.”
With his adventures, it may feel like Pablo has used up some of his nine lives.
In fact, a suspected run-in with a fox nearly saw his leg amputated until a second opinion saw the feline rest, rehabilitate and get back on his feet.
Despite the drama, Elaine says she does not worry too much and that Pablo can definitely look after himself.
Even if he couldn't, he has plenty of friends looking out for him.
His owner continued: “He never goes any longer than two to three days before he comes home but I phone the shop regularly to make sure they’ve seen him and he’s okay when that happens.
“I’ve seen myself down after midnight looking for him to bring him home, and nine times out of 10, he’s there, sat parked up in front of the shop like he lives there.
“I’m not too worried when he’s out because almost everyone knows and loves him in Pennyburn and they’re always looking out for him.
“I’ve had folk stop me in the street asking how he is or where he is and I’ve no idea who they are - he genuinely knows more people that stay here than I do!”
And, like many cat owners, Elaine doesn't know what she would do without Pablo and his wonderful ways.
She said: “He honestly means the world to me. He’s like one of my weans - he just gets a bit more leniency than them.
“Not that we give it, he pretty much does what he wants. We’re just his staff.”
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