Wednesday, June 17, 2020

In Their Evenings

Once again, all my cats are middle-aged or older. I thought I would have Raleigh for a long time, he being barely two when he came to live with me. But now that he has left me, I have oldsters.

I like the idea of having old pets, of giving them a refuge in their latter days. Younger cats have their appeal, too, of course. There’s nothing more adorable than kittens. And juveniles and young adults have almost as much energy as kittens but combine it with some experience and a more mature appreciation of things. And if a young cat needed shelter, I would offer it.

Not as many people want older cats as pets. These animals will cost money as their health deteriorates; they will require special efforts; they will die sooner and leave their human-friend alone. But, if one keeps a pet for its life-time, as one should, then one will be faced with the same difficulties anyway, at some point. Even the young grow old and pass away.

Though Neville is estimated to be about ten years old, Renn is thirteen, Tucker is fifteen and my old lady, Josie, is sixteen. Except for Nevsky, they probably don’t have more than five or six years each, at the most.

But ‘the most’ is what I can give them. An old and tired cat doesn’t ask for much. A soft bed to ease aching bones, warmth to keep away the growing cold, decent food (and really, not much of it, as appetites naturally diminish) to fill the tummy, and a human they can depend upon to keep providing all of that. It’s not much to ask of a world with so much plenty in it.

Last evening, Josie lie down on the bed near me as I was at my desk in the bedroom. I rubbed her head for a few minutes, then she rested in the thick yellow light of the westering sun, coming through the window. Her eyes were closed but she was purring. She was purring at nothing in particular, except perhaps her own contentment. Life for her was quite good at that moment; snack-time was coming, so it would get better - but for the moment, it was good.

I think if I can give an older cat a decent retirement like this, then I am serving a useful purpose. If a cat has not known anything but a good life, then it’s right that her latter years should continue that way. If she has known hardship, then ease and comfort is her due. I wish all could be given this, and maybe one day they will. But for now, I will do what I can with those I have. And perhaps someone will do the same for me in my own time.

19 comments:

  1. I've always thought of Ernie, my one remaining indoor cat, as "the baby of the family," so the other day I was a bit shocked to realize he's at least fourteen. He's perfectly healthy and lively as a kitten, but it distressed me to realize that he's now a senior.

    Cats really never live long enough.

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    1. That’s how I feel about Tucker. He’s such a chubby-cheeked roly poly that I consider him the ‘baby of the family’, too. But, alas, this baby is fifteen years old. Like your Ernie, Tucker is - despite all the health issues he’s grappled with - doing very well, and is a happy fellow. But fifteen!

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  2. Your cats do have a wonderful loving cozy home. At any age, I believe
    pets deserve care and love. As our last cat grew older every year, I
    was amazed that she lived to be 20. I wish she were here today, 8
    years later. Precious is about 9 now, not a youngster but not
    all that old, however set in her ways. Having Renn purring and
    Neville as the youngest, I wish them all a long life.

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  3. Your thoughts about adopting an older cat are quite correct. Most people would rather adopt a kitten, so an older cat does tend to remain in the shelter longer. But as Lynn said, all cats deserve a wonderful loving home regardless of their age. My own cats range in age from 15 to 4 years old, and I always wonder where the years went. Weren't they all kittens just yesterday??

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  4. Which is why I chose to bring Sweetie inside. Figured she'd been outside for over a decade, and she should have some gentle warmth and love in her later years. She is probably about 12 years old, so hopefully, we can make her retirement last long and be as cushy as possible.

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  5. A happy retirement with love and food is the best thing!

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  6. If ever I adopt again, it would be a mature cat or cats. So often overlooked, as you've written.

    Derry is my "baby," the only cat companion I've had I consider to be that, of course because of his sweet "baby" face. But Derry will be 13 next week (June 24 is the date the shelter put on his papers, though of course that's not his real birth date) and I struggle to accept that he's a senior and will leave me sooner than later. In my heart and mind he'll forever be my "baby."

    I certainly do hope that your middle-aged and senior crew are with you, content and as healthy as possible, for at least several years yet.

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  7. excerpts from this post should be publicized with many shelters; "seniors" do, sadly, get overlooked.... great post today !! ☺☺♥♥

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  8. catfather; seer ee iz lee dood....15 !!!???? ♥♥♥

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  9. Yes my baby is a baby no more, even though she makes me think she is, she's a full grown adult cat now. Moving towards her midlife and then my two others are full fledged seniors, 17 & 18.

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  10. Time stops for no one, not even our cats. I'm glad your cats have such a great caretaker, if only all cats could have this.
    My Ozzy is almost six and the new guy, TomTom, maybe four. Both were rescued by me from the streets. Someday when my broken heart mends I would like to adopt an older female cat. The rescue shelter is where I will go.

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    1. You have two now? How did you come to have that pair?

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  11. All of your cats have a very good life, and will continue to do so through their senior years.
    Purring for no reason other than she wants to shows how content Josie is.

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  12. I quite enjoy having older cats, as they seem to do less damage. But of course, the flip side is they can leave as quickly as they came.

    With Sasha having reached his 20th birthday in May, while Saku was 12 in March, they're definitely in the retirement phase. I think they're enjoying it.

    In answer to your comment about Sheldon, he has grown into a huge cat. He's not heavy just big! But still a cuddler just the same.

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  13. It always amazes me how fast time goes with our cats. I also always thought that Ollie was my baby. He is now the senior at 14. I took my cat, Clementine in off the streets in 2018. My vet guesstimated her age to be between 4-6 years old, so she’ll hopefully will be around for a while yet.

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  14. I am thankful you help seniors in need.

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  15. MY baby is 12 now, and in good health right now. I pray she stays in good health but I am conscious every day that she is an older girl now though still my baby in every way but chronologically. They become a part of us.

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  16. All cats deserve a good retirement. Thanks fo helping provide it for them.

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  17. HeHe! Goodness John..What a great post..
    I thought after my demise, and come back
    as a cat..John's cosy apartment would be
    the place for me..! :).
    I's certainly do a lot of purring..! :o).

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