This morning’s post comes with heavy news, and I’m in the terrible position of reporting the death of body modification icon Dennis Avner, often better known as Stalking Cat or just Tiger. A US Navy vet more recently working as a programmer and technician, Dennis identified strongly with his feline totem animals and in what he told me was a Huron traditional of actually adopting the physical form of ones totem, he transformed himself not just into a tiger, but a female tiger at that, blurring and exploring the gender line as much as the species line. Much of his work had been done by body modification pioneer Steve Haworth, who rebuilt Dennis’s ears, lip, nose, and face to resemble a tiger, including a multitude of transdermals that held artificial whiskers. In addition to being almost completely covered in tattoos, he’d also sculpted his face and body with extensive silicone work, had custom teeth built to emulate his inner nature, and regularly wore contact lenses and an artificial robotic tail.
Dennis’s boundary-breaking life was never an easy one, and as he was fond of saying, he “found fame, but never fortune”. A wonderful and complex person, he was at times as troubled as he was remarkable, and he recently took his own life at the age of 54 (August 27, 1958 – November 5, 2012). You can download an interview that Dennis and I did for BMEradio about ten years ago at this link: BMEradio/Cat.mp3. The photos below were taken at ModCon III by Philip Barbosa when Cat visited us here in Toronto. In the bottom photo he appears with fellow concept transformation artist, Erik “The Lizardman” Sprague.
Comments
288 responses to “RIP Stalking Cat”
RIP 🙁
RIP 🙁
Breaks my heart. You will most definitely be remembered until time ends.
Breaks my heart. You will most definitely be remembered until time ends.
Breaks my heart. You will most definitely be remembered until time ends.
Breaks my heart. You will most definitely be remembered until time ends.
I did not want to beleive this he was my friend so I called the sheriff’s department they confirmed that he did die but no info on the cause as i did not ask.
I did not want to beleive this he was my friend so I called the sheriff’s department they confirmed that he did die but no info on the cause as i did not ask.
I did not want to beleive this he was my friend so I called the sheriff’s department they confirmed that he did die but no info on the cause as i did not ask.
I did not want to beleive this he was my friend so I called the sheriff’s department they confirmed that he did die but no info on the cause as i did not ask.
Rip stalking cat
Rip stalking cat
Rip stalking cat
Rip stalking cat
It’s always heartbreaking when, after all that, someone doesn’t find what they’re looking for. Peace to his family.
It’s always heartbreaking when, after all that, someone doesn’t find what they’re looking for. Peace to his family.
It’s always heartbreaking when, after all that, someone doesn’t find what they’re looking for. Peace to his family.
It’s always heartbreaking when, after all that, someone doesn’t find what they’re looking for. Peace to his family.
May you’re spirit forever live in the hearts of those you have inspired and may you find peace. Blessed Be Stalking Cat.
May you’re spirit forever live in the hearts of those you have inspired and may you find peace. Blessed Be Stalking Cat.
May you’re spirit forever live in the hearts of those you have inspired and may you find peace. Blessed Be Stalking Cat.
May you’re spirit forever live in the hearts of those you have inspired and may you find peace. Blessed Be Stalking Cat.
Oh no! That’s such sad news.. I remember him from when I was a little girl.. I was so amazed by his strength to stand up for what he believed in.. This is really sad news!
Rest in peace, Cat!
Oh no! That’s such sad news.. I remember him from when I was a little girl.. I was so amazed by his strength to stand up for what he believed in.. This is really sad news!
Rest in peace, Cat!
Oh no! That’s such sad news.. I remember him from when I was a little girl.. I was so amazed by his strength to stand up for what he believed in.. This is really sad news!
Rest in peace, Cat!
Oh no! That’s such sad news.. I remember him from when I was a little girl.. I was so amazed by his strength to stand up for what he believed in.. This is really sad news!
Rest in peace, Cat!
The world will never truly understand how truly great a man Dennis was. I feel blessed to have met him so many years ago when I was a teen, and it is painful news to hear of his passing. The wold is all the darker in his absence. May his greatness long live on as the amazing heart of him will. I will miss him greatly but also carry my time and his word’s to me on. May he forever be a symbol to other’s to not be afraid of who they are mean’t to be.
The world will never truly understand how truly great a man Dennis was. I feel blessed to have met him so many years ago when I was a teen, and it is painful news to hear of his passing. The wold is all the darker in his absence. May his greatness long live on as the amazing heart of him will. I will miss him greatly but also carry my time and his word’s to me on. May he forever be a symbol to other’s to not be afraid of who they are mean’t to be.
The world will never truly understand how truly great a man Dennis was. I feel blessed to have met him so many years ago when I was a teen, and it is painful news to hear of his passing. The wold is all the darker in his absence. May his greatness long live on as the amazing heart of him will. I will miss him greatly but also carry my time and his word’s to me on. May he forever be a symbol to other’s to not be afraid of who they are mean’t to be.
The world will never truly understand how truly great a man Dennis was. I feel blessed to have met him so many years ago when I was a teen, and it is painful news to hear of his passing. The wold is all the darker in his absence. May his greatness long live on as the amazing heart of him will. I will miss him greatly but also carry my time and his word’s to me on. May he forever be a symbol to other’s to not be afraid of who they are mean’t to be.
This is Incoggeno from BME. I never actually knew Tiger, but we did talk on BME a few times always wanted to meet him. Shannon I am sorry brother for this loss. We never know why people do the things they do. Steve Haworth, you spent a lot of time with Tiger, probably knew him better than anyone, I’m sorry man. Hope to run into you again sometime soon, since we both live here in Arizona. R.I.P Tiger we will miss you…
This is Incoggeno from BME. I never actually knew Tiger, but we did talk on BME a few times always wanted to meet him. Shannon I am sorry brother for this loss. We never know why people do the things they do. Steve Haworth, you spent a lot of time with Tiger, probably knew him better than anyone, I’m sorry man. Hope to run into you again sometime soon, since we both live here in Arizona. R.I.P Tiger we will miss you…
This is Incoggeno from BME. I never actually knew Tiger, but we did talk on BME a few times always wanted to meet him. Shannon I am sorry brother for this loss. We never know why people do the things they do. Steve Haworth, you spent a lot of time with Tiger, probably knew him better than anyone, I’m sorry man. Hope to run into you again sometime soon, since we both live here in Arizona. R.I.P Tiger we will miss you…
This is Incoggeno from BME. I never actually knew Tiger, but we did talk on BME a few times always wanted to meet him. Shannon I am sorry brother for this loss. We never know why people do the things they do. Steve Haworth, you spent a lot of time with Tiger, probably knew him better than anyone, I’m sorry man. Hope to run into you again sometime soon, since we both live here in Arizona. R.I.P Tiger we will miss you…
I hope this will make people more aware of, and get rid of the taboo surrounding suicide. People shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. Help and prevention start by listening and talking…
It’s especially sad because it takes a very strong person to undergo a complete body transformation the way he did. The world needs more individuals who aren’t afraid of sticking out and standing up for what they feel/believe in. His death is a big loss.
I hope this will make people more aware of, and get rid of the taboo surrounding suicide. People shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. Help and prevention start by listening and talking…
It’s especially sad because it takes a very strong person to undergo a complete body transformation the way he did. The world needs more individuals who aren’t afraid of sticking out and standing up for what they feel/believe in. His death is a big loss.
I hope this will make people more aware of, and get rid of the taboo surrounding suicide. People shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. Help and prevention start by listening and talking…
It’s especially sad because it takes a very strong person to undergo a complete body transformation the way he did. The world needs more individuals who aren’t afraid of sticking out and standing up for what they feel/believe in. His death is a big loss.
I hope this will make people more aware of, and get rid of the taboo surrounding suicide. People shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. Help and prevention start by listening and talking…
It’s especially sad because it takes a very strong person to undergo a complete body transformation the way he did. The world needs more individuals who aren’t afraid of sticking out and standing up for what they feel/believe in. His death is a big loss.
you inspired me in ways other people seek inspiration from a carefully constructed song, or watching a sun set on a warm summers night. You gave me true hope that you can do what your heart wants. You kept me going when it seemed like everyone else in the world had given up. your sheer determination, your pictures, your interviews, they will not be archived to the back seat of the internet and forgotten. You will be remembered Dennis. I am just so truly sorry that you had to go whilst we are still at the tipping point, where so many people have modifications but it is still as rejected in mainstream society.
You gave your heart and soul to modification. You let your life be disturbed to promote free will. We can only ever be eternally grateful. In your pain and loss, we can all try to find comfort in the origonal and personal messages you left each us with.
Rest in peace.
you inspired me in ways other people seek inspiration from a carefully constructed song, or watching a sun set on a warm summers night. You gave me true hope that you can do what your heart wants. You kept me going when it seemed like everyone else in the world had given up. your sheer determination, your pictures, your interviews, they will not be archived to the back seat of the internet and forgotten. You will be remembered Dennis. I am just so truly sorry that you had to go whilst we are still at the tipping point, where so many people have modifications but it is still as rejected in mainstream society.
You gave your heart and soul to modification. You let your life be disturbed to promote free will. We can only ever be eternally grateful. In your pain and loss, we can all try to find comfort in the origonal and personal messages you left each us with.
Rest in peace.
you inspired me in ways other people seek inspiration from a carefully constructed song, or watching a sun set on a warm summers night. You gave me true hope that you can do what your heart wants. You kept me going when it seemed like everyone else in the world had given up. your sheer determination, your pictures, your interviews, they will not be archived to the back seat of the internet and forgotten. You will be remembered Dennis. I am just so truly sorry that you had to go whilst we are still at the tipping point, where so many people have modifications but it is still as rejected in mainstream society.
You gave your heart and soul to modification. You let your life be disturbed to promote free will. We can only ever be eternally grateful. In your pain and loss, we can all try to find comfort in the origonal and personal messages you left each us with.
Rest in peace.
you inspired me in ways other people seek inspiration from a carefully constructed song, or watching a sun set on a warm summers night. You gave me true hope that you can do what your heart wants. You kept me going when it seemed like everyone else in the world had given up. your sheer determination, your pictures, your interviews, they will not be archived to the back seat of the internet and forgotten. You will be remembered Dennis. I am just so truly sorry that you had to go whilst we are still at the tipping point, where so many people have modifications but it is still as rejected in mainstream society.
You gave your heart and soul to modification. You let your life be disturbed to promote free will. We can only ever be eternally grateful. In your pain and loss, we can all try to find comfort in the origonal and personal messages you left each us with.
Rest in peace.
No No no no no…He’s still alive in our hearts
No No no no no…He’s still alive in our hearts
No No no no no…He’s still alive in our hearts
No No no no no…He’s still alive in our hearts
R.I.P … :/ still shocked about it
R.I.P … :/ still shocked about it
R.I.P … :/ still shocked about it
R.I.P … :/ still shocked about it