My dear old BK., 23 yrs old and coming up on 24, underwent surgery to replace his old fluids tube today. He came through it like the little champ he is. He was completely recovered from anesthesia in under an hour, His blood work is excellent, and he ate a whole hot dog when we got home.


I'm so relieved. and thankful. I know the day is coming when we will be parted, but it looks to be a little way off yet.

Dayna
BK
your old man
with the bright eyes and the strong purr
i am just sooo glad to hear the good news

Eva

Beautiful news, Dayna...I am so very happy for you. 23 going on 24.....what wonderful care you have given this baby .... I hear about ages like this but I have never had that joy of the extra years. My Little Guy was 16 1/2 and that was the longest..as my dogs never went beyond 12 but then I had big dogs and their life span is supposed to be shorter. I was in heaven when 2 of my 3 cats went past 12 years.

I love to hear stories like this...to hear that some babies are with us longer and always hope the ones I pick..one day..I may find one allowed to stay longer.

You must be so relieved that your baby came through something needed okay.

Hugs and blessings to you and BK....I think your other angels are looking over the two of you.

BK. and I thank you both very much.

I really can't take credit for Beekie's longevity. I rescued him...as a very sick, abandoned kitten, too young even to be weaned. I can still taste the fear I felt for him as I was rushing him to the vet, while my boyfriend (now husband of 23 yrs) scoured the neighborhood looking for more kittens. ... The vet I took him to didn't think he would make it through the night. Due to my situation he ended up at my mother's , as one of her herd of happy kitties many of whom made it to almost twenty at least. Bk. became my baby again when I went to stay with her during her last illness, until she passed away exactly 16 months ago today at age 90. Maybe there is something in the water at her house. And I do agree that she and my other angels must be watching over us.

My love to your babies...may all the hosts of heaven keep watch with them and you,
Dayna

Dayna

Can we BOTTLE that water......PLEASE...............????????????

Your story of BK reminded me of LIttle Guy who got pneumonia as a kitten and when I saw he was sick (the kittens were born in my backyard to a feral mom who was taking care of them), I took him from his mom to a vet on the 4th of July 1991 and he gave him a shot and antibiotics and said to me if Little Guy made it through the next 24 hours...he would be on his way to recovery..and he did and he was with me the longest....just like BK was with you so long.

It was like as a kitten if they survive something others don't..they have good genes or constitution or whatever and a sickly kitten can grown up to give us many years of love and happiness. Kind of interesting to think about.

Hugs again...we just can't have too many of those.

Judy

I think there might well be something to that...maybe BK. and your LG. had something that was a factor in their surviving their traumatic kittenhoods that contributed to their long lives.

For one thing BK. doesn't slink off under the bed when he feels bad. He gets in your face, squalling and hollering...just like he was doing on the night I found him.
As weak as he was, he was doing his best to make some noise and get himself some help. Mom had a darling old yellow tabby boy that was like that also, Butch;
he made it to 17 or 18.


Hugs to you and yours,
Dayna

Hi Dayna,

I'm so glad to hear BK's surgery was such a success. You always express so much thanks for everything you touch. There's no doubt in my mind that your loving touch is part of what has kept BK with you for all these years.

May your days be filled with all the joy and happiness that BK brings to you.

Give BK an extra special belly rub from me. Who wouldn't be a real champ with a great Mom like you?

Thanks Beth!

Here's some pics of my old man,

Hello, it is such a beautiful gift to hear wonderful news like the one you just gave us all, am sooooo happy for the both of you and to maybe others around you too. My 11 y/o Boy [Buster] and I are waiting for our next appoiment with our Especialist Surgeon on the 17th of June and hoping also we will have good news just like yours, take good care of him and your self, always, Buster and Jorge

Thanks Jorge,

I'm counting the days with you and Buster until you can see that specialist and get your sweet boy fixed up.

hugs,
Dayna

wow, that is amazing, and so wonderful to read. I am down to one pet, my siamese cat, he is 14 and I am hoping he sticks around a lot longer!

Hi Dayna!

Your "old man" is a handsome fella. I hope I look half as good as he does when I get to be his age.

Take care and may God bless you and BK. I'm so happy for both of you.

What kind of diet has he been on the past 23 yrs? Maybe we all need to switch to that food?

The only thing unusual about BK.'s diet is that he drinks large quantities of whole milk. Now you wouldn't think that would be good for a grown cat, so that leads me to wonder I just the sheer volume of fluids he consumed helped his kidneys to get him this far. Since he's lost some kidney function I try to feed him the prescription renal diet...but I don't insist on it. His favorite thing is hot dogs, also blueberry yogurt.

He has aways been a little different.

This made me burst out laughing! Isn't it funny how they get these IDEAS, than make rules based on them. The reason we get so attached is that they are all characters and all eccentric.
I am wondering about something, though. Probiotic bacteria from yogurt helps the immune system. The large intestine is a active part of the immune system and plays a role in hydration, too. Your cat should publish and apply for a grant.

One of my niece's landlady's cats has a thing for hot dogs. He STEALS them from their plate if he in not watched. He is crafty and sneaky, and it happens so fast, they look..and have to think..were there THREE there, or two??

Jon,


It has occurred to me also that the probiotics in the yogurt have also contributed to BKs longevity...now if i could figure out why he wants to stand on his head in carrot packaging???

Ha, I laughed at the yogurt, Oliver ate that and weirdly enough alphalfa sprouts and tomatoes. Oliver and Lily have always been bonkers over 99% of people food and Max and Daphne for the most part are completely uninterested. I never tried to regularly give it to them, they just acted like mini-sweepers as I ate and snagged morsels when I was distracted. It is funny how some are fiends and some are picky, just like people. I hope BK continues well with his treatment, he is a beautiful cat. His longevity is probably two-fold, he had a good diet for him and also simply a great personality.

Sarah

Just came across this...23 yrs old..How special is that! I was reading some of the "diet" stories..too funny. I'd always give Arthur new things to try. When I first introduced him to cheese, well that was it. He knew what that word meant forever. It was how I bribed him to come in the house, and you'd better not be in the way, 'cuz he would bolt to the fridge like he got shot out of a cannon. Vet told me something once that I didn't know never ever give a cat onions it's poisonous to them(not that I ever had) just food for thought...I hope Bk continues to stay healthy..Ann

Thanks Sarah and Ann, for you good wishes. BK. is having a little more trouble with his mobility than I would like...despite the physical therapy, so I have had to increase his pain meds. Otherwise, he is doing quite well.


Hugs,
Dayna and BK.

Ps. Onions are bad for dogs too.