January 15, 2007
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Logistical challenges; geriatric kitties
Good day, fellow Xangans!
I feel optimistic today despite my courseload which feels heavier and
more threatening than ever before in my academic life. If I can get
through this semester, I’m convinced, I can get through everything.Readings, seminar presentations, essays, oh yes — these follow hard
upon one another between now and April. In mid-April, a take-home exam
already looms. I think an exam that lasts a week is nothing more than
an institutionalized form of torture, don’t you? The three-hour kind
are bad enough!This afternoon I’m going to do some more work on my study schedule, to
make sure that all my courses receive roughly equal, even if
inadequate, attention. I’ll get through this somehow!On a pleasanter note, here’s a photo of my dad cradling my brother’s
cat “Ra” (short for “Raoul”), who is over 20 years old. He is a Maine
Coon and a beautiful creature, although mostly skin, bones, and fur at
his age, as you can well imagine! Also fairly deaf, although very vocal
about his wants and needs. I did some Web research to find out other
instances of elderly cats, and was surprised to discover that som
e have lived as long as 39 years. Do you know any elderly cats?Long live the fluffy Ra!
Comments (12)
Cats can live a *very* long time. Sadly, though, sometimes it’s still not long enough. Just last week we had to say goodbye to our 23 year old. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennw/350995091/)
She had a good, long life though. I wish the same for Raoul. He’s adorable!
wow! impressive!
t
My ex-kitty Isis lived into her 23rd year too, and was still very active, though she could not jump up onto stuff very well any more.
Wow 20 years old? Does he still move around like he’s young?
Wow that’s an elderly cat alright. I think my sister’s was 14 or 16. That’s about the oldest.
What a course load. I do agree that a one week long exam is a form of torture.
Yes, long live Ra. He looks just like my sweet Hodge, she is 11. I once heard of a cat who lived to 40. He was feed Egg Beaters and spinach. I have also heard that spinach is slightly toxic for cats and some people, but only slightly. My cat Hoffman loves it. What a love Ra is!
Ra Ra Raoul! Way to go ol’ kitty. I had a Siameezer who was 19 and blind. They do okay for blind. My Nini girl is 16, and perky as a kitten (when she isn’t sleeping). She also has discovered the joys of vocalization and sounds like she is being bludgeoned to death from time to time. She’s just singin’….
We have one that’s about 18, so I’m encouraged to know that she may live happily for a few more! We do have a cocker that’s 91 in people-years, according to the veterinarian.
Iz yer dad admirin that fine pelt? Teehee…
I’ve wanted to go back to school and finish my Masters, but then I read your blog (and others) and remember the workload and I don’t think I’m ready for that again. :shysmile:
My only cat lived to 4 when a speeding a-hole in a Porsche ran over her in front of our house.:mad:
Beautiful cat, we just lost our 18 year old cat a few weeks ago. Long live Raoul indeed!
oh, my goodness, that is most wizened little Maine Coon I’ve ever seen! He’s beautiful, though. I assume he can say his own name because I’ve had cats talk about him endlessly. “Raoul? Raoul?”