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Mural 'purrfect' tribute to petrol station cat

Alex PopeBBC News, Buckinghamshire
News imagePixie the Applegreen Garage Cat Pixie, a white long-haired cat, outside a petrol station, with her mouth open, sitting on a bag. A green big is beside her, and her tail is up. There are posters for the shop all around her. Pixie the Applegreen Garage Cat
Pixie was known to get dirty from time to time, as she loved to sleep on coal bags, kept outside the garage

A mural has been painted to remember a beloved family cat that made a petrol station its second home.

Pixie, known as the Applegreen Garage Cat, died aged 15 in January and was regularly spotted at the garage in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Bex Hunt, 31, her official owner, said the colourful artwork, outside the garage, showing Pixie sitting in her favourite spot, on a bag of coals, was "the purrfect little tribute".

"It's a lovely little reminder she's back at the garage", she said.

News imageBex Hunt A painted electrical box, showing a blue sky, with a moon and a white cat, sitting on a bag of coals. Her name is painted above her image. There is grass around the box and a petrol station in the distance. Bex Hunt
The mural for Pixie took several days to complete

Ms Hunt said the tribute took months to plan, was approved by Aylesbury Town Council and was initiated by one of Pixie's "very devoted fans", Nicola Sammarone.

"She found the artist, Jo Beck, known as ElaKriti, who turned out to be an old family friend, who has known Pixie since she was about one," she said.

The family had a say on the design, as they "wanted her sitting on coals as that is what she liked doing".

"I really love it, it's so nice seeing it as a walk or drive past it almost every day, it's a lovely little reminder she's back at the garage.

"It's the purrfect little tribute.

"People are sharing their pictures of the artwork on the Facebook page, even though she's passed away, she's immortalised there forever now."

News imagePixie the Applegreen Garage Cat Bex Hunt holding Pixie, a white long-haired cat, in a kitchen. Bex has long red hair, with a fringe and is wearing a jumper, and is smiling and looking straight at the camera. Pixie the Applegreen Garage Cat
Bex Hunt said quite a few times Pixie was mistaken for being homeless, despite having a loving home

Ms Sammarone said it was her "pleasure" to create a lasting memorial as she was such a happy cat who "everyone knew".

"I love driving past and seeing her painting as it makes me smile every time", she added.

News imagePixie the Applegreen Garage Cat Pixie the Applegreen Garage Cat laying down, it has long white hair, is sitting on a cream cushion, has a black mark on the end it her nose, and has pink ears. There are other cushions around her. Pixie the Applegreen Garage Cat
Pixie, the white longhaired cat, had two homes in Aylesbury

Artist Ms Beck said: "Her recognition and story as the cat who roamed the garage was very inspirational to so many, and when I heard of her passing, I knew I'd like to help in celebrating and preserving her memory.

"She had a lot of character, which I wanted to depict in the painting of her."

News imageJo Beck Jo Beck, sitting next to a painted electrical box, showing a blue sky, with a moon and a white cat, sitting on a bag of coals. Her name is painted above her image. There is grass around her and the box and a petrol station in the distance. Jo has dark long hair and a pink fringe, she is wearing pink trousers, a black cardigan and flowery top. She is smiling and looking at the camera. Jo Beck
Jo Beck said she hoped the design "will bring a smile to people's faces"

Emma El Badaoui, from Aylesbury Town Council, said: "After applying for and being granted permission by the cabinet owners, the council supplied paints to talented local artist Jo, who got to work creating a beautiful piece of artwork on the cabinet located in front of the petrol station."

She added the council was "delighted to have supported the creation of a piece of art that holds such meaning to the many people who knew and loved Pixie".

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