Caturday 57: Senior Cat Afflictions

Look at this most impressive jump and climb made by a cat that somehow got herself into a pretty deep pit at what appears to be a construction site.

That was noteworthy, but climbing and jumping are very difficult for poor Lacey. Look how she struggled to get onto my chair while I was watching a hockey game one evening.

This week was the fifth anniversary of Lacey's arrival to our home. I don't know how agile she was in her youth, but she was at least somewhat more capable than this five years ago. These days, either her hips or back legs seem to be arthritic. Poor thing.

Lacey has lived with us into her senior years, as had our previous three cats.

Prior to Lacey, old Bella was in even worse shape. She was a rescue from a lady who lived in Shauna's senior residence. When the lady could no longer take care of Bella, we took her in (Bella, I mean, not the lady). She was even more arthritic than Lacey and also required daily laxative to keep functioning. 

Already in old age, Bella only lived for only 7 months with us, but she was, indeed, a sweetie. We were sad to lose her, but I hope we helped to make her last months, good months.

Keeping with the theme of compromised cats, we had a tuxedo cat that we called Rocky. He was born with a foot defect, which you can see in this photo.

He limped somewhat throughout his life, but like our other cats, he lived to a pretty good age. Considering his deformed front paw, he was fortunate that his hindermost parts didn't seem to become compromised like Lacey's have and like Bella's had. I always thought, however, that his poor, front foot must have caused him significant discomfort.

Let's go back one more cat, shall we, for we also had Scutter for a very long time. He grew deaf in his dotage, which is odd in a cat, but otherwise, he remained pretty spry until the end.

He loved to chase those little cat treats that come in bags. I would give one a good toss, and he would scamper after it with gusto and glee. I am not sure how he could track them when he was deaf, but track them he did.

Lacey, also loves her treats, but if they don't land directly in front of her, she is lost. She even loses track when they land on her. She has no clue, actually.

And that, dear reader, is a glimpse of the afflictions of our last four cats, who all lived well into their senior years although Lacey still has a couple of years to go to catch up to the others. We think she is 13, and I think the others all made until they were about 16.