My old boy is fading away

[Cattermole]

Just that really.
He's 18, he's had a good run, he's happy, healthy, he has a good appetite.
He's just at that stage now when he just wants to eat, sleep and cuddle and nothing else.

One day soon he just won't wake up, and there won't be a Mathurin-cat any more, and that makes me so sad.

for you.

So sorry to hear that cattermole.We have all been there, it's heartbreaking and very bitter sweet.
What's a Mathurin cat ?

Thank you. He's asleep on my knee now and I'm looking at the backs of his ragged little ears, for in his youth he was the fiercest ratter in West Cornwall.
I think this every year, of course, and every year he surprises me. But he won't always. Seen me through two husbands and a baby, two house moves, and three jobs.

Aww hugs
He sounds lovely, as long as he has you he will be happy, and he'll rest eternally knowing that.

Him and his brother are Aubrey and Mathurin, after the main characterss in Master & Commander.
My late husband was a big fan of naval fiction and when we got the two kittens he wanted to call them after two characters who were friends all their lives.
Aubrey is still very much with us, which will be a comfort. Just Mattycat who's fading.

Aww bless him.When my old cat was near the end, she was 20, I used to cry looking at her little neck.It was so scraggy and thin.
Oh I've seen the film, it's brilliant, just didn't recognise the name 💐💐💐

Cuddle him for me.

Can we have a picture pleeeeease?

This is the boy being pokey. I'm not sure where he was (it was about a fortnight ago) but it was a place he ought not to be!

He's lovely OP reminds me of my cat from when I was a child.

This made me so sad. It is such a heartbreaker. They fill up our lives so much and leave such desolation when they leave.

It's just SO hard when they get to this age isn't it. I'm sorry you're going through it.

The only thing that gives me some comfort is that we are able to look after them at the end. If they lived much longer lives many would die without their servants in place.

Well if he's happily eating and snoozing, and still getting into places he shouldn't I wouldn't write him off just yet.

He's a very handsome chap too.

My old boy lasted to 20 and while he had slowed down it was only in the last few months that I worried about his quality of life.

He's such a gorgeous little puss. Snuggle him and enjoy your time together. It certainly sounds like he's a happy cat on your lap!

It's just so painful to say goodbye :(

He's absolutely beautiful. I lost my soul cat earlier in the year, he was 20 and his kidneys got the better of him - we started treatment but it was too late. Would you consider a health check and bloods for him? Failing that, spoil him rotten and I hope he has plenty more peaceful days left

Aww he's so beautiful!!!! Enjoy all of the cuddles

Thank you all for your lovely messages.
Just out of badness, he spent the night on the bed, and has now gone out for a spot of light birdwatching.
He's in very good health, for an old boy - it's just hard to see how much he's slowed down.
This was him five years back, when he was the terror of the local wildlife.

He is a beauty!

Hello beautiful pussycat 😻.