Sad that my cat is getting old

[Anonymous]

My very sweet cat is 17 and I know she doesn't have many years left. She's in pretty good health, has lost a canine tooth, has some matted fur that I keep combing out, sleeps a lot, but still musters some energy to be playful. I've been feeling sad lately that she is old and might not have much time left. We've been through a lot together- we are both getting older together - and I find myself looking at her more closely when she is sleeping to make sure that she is breathing. Anyone else have an older pet who they have shared many good years with?

[Anonymous]

Our sweet Golden is 12 years old which is the average life expectancy for Goldens. We got her as a puppy and she's been right there with our kids growing up both as a playmate and as a protector. We've been to the beach with her many times over the years, she loves the ocean. As soon as we step out of the car she wants to head right over the dune and into the water.

She's helped us to raise our younger dogs and she keeps them in line.

Lately, she's been sleeping a bit more and doesn't always hear things like she used to. She's getting older, there's no denying it. It would be nice to be able to turn back the clock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My very sweet cat is 17 and I know she doesn't have many years left. She's in pretty good health, has lost a canine tooth, has some matted fur that I keep combing out, sleeps a lot, but still musters some energy to be playful. I've been feeling sad lately that she is old and might not have much time left. We've been through a lot together- we are both getting older together - and I find myself looking at her more closely when she is sleeping to make sure that she is breathing. Anyone else have an older pet who they have shared many good years with?

My siamese is 17 too! She isnt playful but it seems she is happier recently. We have moved to a house from a rental condo and she actually goes outside for brief visits. She has a bay window and numerous places to enjoy. Im 50, been through breast cancer, lost my mom 25 yuears ago and more recently two dear friends who were just a tad older than I am. Ive lost several long lived pets as well as ones who died too young. I do find as I age I am more acutely tuned into loss, and all loss has a similar feeling.

Saki is the best cat I have ever had. She has always been very calm, stable, and just kind of unflappable. Its remarkable. I know she cant live that much longer, but then again, I met a woman with a 25 year old siamese. Your kitty may live longer than you expect. Just enjoy her. That is all any of us can do.

[Anonymous]

Our girl just went to kitty heaven at 18.5 a few months ago. She got to watch a last batch of baby birds and then she slipped away overnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our girl just went to kitty heaven at 18.5 a few months ago. She got to watch a last batch of baby birds and then she slipped away overnight.

Big Hug to you. That sounds like a very peaceful ending. I had a dove that died this way, at a very advanced age. He was a rescue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My very sweet cat is 17 and I know she doesn't have many years left. She's in pretty good health, has lost a canine tooth, has some matted fur that I keep combing out, sleeps a lot, but still musters some energy to be playful. I've been feeling sad lately that she is old and might not have much time left. We've been through a lot together- we are both getting older together - and I find myself looking at her more closely when she is sleeping to make sure that she is breathing. Anyone else have an older pet who they have shared many good years with?

My siamese is 17 too! She isnt playful but it seems she is happier recently. We have moved to a house from a rental condo and she actually goes outside for brief visits. She has a bay window and numerous places to enjoy. Im 50, been through breast cancer, lost my mom 25 yuears ago and more recently two dear friends who were just a tad older than I am. Ive lost several long lived pets as well as ones who died too young. I do find as I age I am more acutely tuned into loss, and all loss has a similar feeling.

Saki is the best cat I have ever had. She has always been very calm, stable, and just kind of unflappable. Its remarkable. I know she cant live that much longer, but then again, I met a woman with a 25 year old siamese. Your kitty may live longer than you expect. Just enjoy her. That is all any of us can do.

It's interesting, I commented I thought our 15 year old kitty has seemed happier lately. Just really content to curl up in a patch of sunshine and doze, or lie down on the garden bed next to the front door (and doze), enjoys being petted more and being in the family's company just hanging out more than she used to etc. She is arthritic now and is finding moving around a little more challenging, but does seem very content. I like to think of her as having a happy 'retirement' but yes it's so sad to think the end is probably not all that far off.

[Anonymous]

I feel you OP!
I have two & I so dread when I have to face life w/out my two precious fur babies.

I adopted them Summer of ‘05, after a very painful divorce that had me at rock bottom for months.
They brought so much comfort + joy to me during the worst days of my life.

Sadly I know that they are in their final years. ;(
I dread the day......
I even have nightmares about it.

I appreciate every single second I have now.
If my cat annoys me, I have more patience.

Because I know that there will be a day when I would do anything in the world to have him annoy me.