Never Too Old

In this family, I’ve always been known as the perpetual kitten: simple, light-hearted, adorable with streaks of loco. I have also been known as quite a homebody. Trips to the vet or the Pease house would leave me nervous, cowering and looking for a sweet hiding place. I like predictable, secure living, where I can eat meals on a schedule, bathe in the sunshine and curl up in my favorite spots, sometimes with the rest of the family.

Sitting here with my acquired wisdom at the ripe old age of 17, I’m here to tell you that life will readily hand you the lessons you were not looking for. Some days that does not feel good. Others I surprise myself and my people with resiliency and courage you would never have expected from me.

So anyways, a few years ago, my people moved us into a new house. After a while, I dug it. It had stairs I could leap up and onto the bed to trampoline into a loft. From there, I could stroll the catwalk and find the very highest shelves to channel my primal howl from. There were still cozy blankets and sunny spots and windows for peering out to the world. The strangest part was that sometimes they’d take me for a ride in the truck and when we got back home, the views out the windows were changed. What kind of strange magic is this? Even the air coming in the house smelled new! And this has happened again and again!

Some of you may have experience like mine, in that aging has made everything a little harder. Not long after we moved into the funny little house, I lost my best buddy and brother, Cyprus. I don’t totally understand, but I sure have missed him. He tolerated my playful side, was truly the best snuggler and was always the one to take the lead, so I could follow. I have also had a series of health challenges which meant many visits to one of my least favorite places, the vet’s. We tackled recurring ear infections, a growing eye cyst, diabetes that came and then went, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. Not fun for anyone. 

That said, I just keep going. I started spending time on our porch and sitting by the campfire with my people. And I got used to being outside my “box.” Later I began going under the house and taking walks around our neighborhood with Jesse. We make quite a sight together: bearded man in cowboy hat and robe following me as I meander and sit in random spots for a while. Hey, that’s how I like to walk! Soak it in. I definitely don’t go as fast as I used to. But sometimes that fresh air and other cats and dogs are so stimulating, I take on a little trot action. And to top it all off, I recently took a ride in the truck and ended up at the biggest space I’ve ever seen with movement I could hardly conceive of. They called it the ocean. I was so inspired I enjoyed a tinkle in that vast litterbox and was reluctant to leave.

This homebody and his loving people have legitimately been surprised about these late chapters in life. So very glad this magic house brought unexpected journeys to us all.

Tips for other cool cats on the road:

A trip in the truck is not always a trip to the vet.

The beach does not have easily found hiding places.

Leash vests are for suckers.

Humans cannot reach you under someone else’s RV.

Cat noses make great paintbrushes on the car window.

When they open the door for your walk, leap and sprint out so they must race after. It sets a fun mood.

Adorable looks at any age can melt hearts.

Nobody expects a cat to walk his person.

Most RVers have little white dogs. Break the mold.

The neighbors might have a bowl of pet food that tastes better than yours.

The ocean is cold, but cool.

Old cats can learn new tricks.

Stay curious, my friends. -Sally