Cat's Name, Age, and Gender:
Rudolph The Black Nose KittyKat Johns, Rudy for short
Best Characteristics of my Senior
He is a very loving, caring cat. He senses when I am not feeling well or something is bothering me. He wants me to be happy all the time. When he wants to sleep in my home office or go out on the balconey, he meows a special meow and shows me where he wants us to go so he can have company.
Challenges of Life With an Older Cat
Rudy will be 18 years old on Oct. 2, 2010. He lost a brother and sister in less than two years. His brother was 19 years old, and the sister, 13 years old. It is hard to let them go. I know that I will have Rudy for a few more years. I have a 3 year old cat to help ease the future hurting.
When, Where and How I Got My Cat
Rudy was dumped into a large material waste dumpster at the age of 6 weeks. He was found nearly frozen to death by one of my co-workers. I took him to my vet and found out he would be deaf in two weeks if he had not been at the vet, he needed medicine to clear the infections. I have never regretted adopting him; I had two cats at home. He came into my life at Christmas time, hence his name, Rudloph the Black Nose KittyKat (Rudy for short.)
I'd Describe My Cat As…
He is a very demanding cat. He likes to tell me when I should do things like clean the litter, play with him, let him out on the balconey and feed him. He does not get his way because I tell him when he goes out to work and supports me then I will do what he wants otherwise he does what I want. He then quiets down and snuggles me. He just wants me to know who wears the pants in the house, HIM. He has a wonderful, loving, and caring personality. From day one, his main reason to be with me was to make me laugh and not worry about things. He has no medical problems at this time. The only problem is he stopped wanting to be brushed for awhile, but now it's brush-brush time again and with a vengance. The only change in him now is that at 18 he wants to sleep all the time. I tell him that he is now like his Poppy was: a lazy old man who sleeps all the time. Although Rudy has not seen my father since 1989, Rudy remembers him. I never knew that cats can remember things they liked so dear. My father passed away in 1995 and he mourned for Poppy and now it is Grandma, my mother, he mourns for. She passed away in 2006. He also knows when I am crying for his big brother and sister. He is still mourning them; they passed away in 1990 and 1993, she over the loss of their brother. he now has a little brother that makes him run a little faster and play a little harder. I also describe him as a "ham". When he sees me with a camera, he poses for it. He senses when I push the shutter button and he mugs for the camera. He just loves the camera and the camera loves him. I wish I had a way to put their pictures with this story.
Advice
- My advise would be do it with all the love you can give it. Those few precious years with a senior can be just as much fun as you make it if he/she was a kitten. My senior cats, especially the then 19-year old and Rudy, have never given me any reason not to love and to care for them as seniors any more than a kitten. I would also tell them that when the end of their life comes, it will not be easy, it is like losing a family member and hard to get over. But the fun, love and memories outweigh the grief. They are special because you took the time to care for them, even if they need special care.
