In August 1951, an Associated Press story introduced America to Dagwood, a remarkable cat from Portland, Oregon, who had spent six years playing ping-pong with her owner, Ted Matson. Matson originally allowed Dagwood onto the table simply to keep her from interrupting his games—but instead, she became part of them. Her fascination with the ball made perfect sense. Cats are naturally wired to stalk, chase, and swat at fast-moving objects, instincts inherited from their predatory ancestors. But Dagwood took those instincts to another level, reportedly mastering both a one-pawed volley and a two-pawed smash. Most cats might chase a ping-pong ball for a few minutes before losing interest. Dagwood kept returning to the table for six years, transforming a playful habit into an unusual talent that eventually became national news.