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Community Corner

Phenomenal Animals Keep on Ticking

Some animals defy the limits of age.

"Here's the Ancient Mariner," we say when our 18-year-old cat Joe comes through the door after a foray through the neighborhood. He's almost deaf, his eyesight is questionable and he's decidedly scrawny, but every day he's here is a bonus. 

I used to wonder if there was a formula for pet longevity. Organic food, purified water and keeping the animal inside exclusively seemed like a good start. On the other hand, Joe has always had commercial food and tap water. He's waged countless battles for territory that invariably resulted in abscesses he was lucky to survive. 

Although his fighting days are over, as is another energy-sapping winter, Joe should probably stay indoors full-time. Coyotes and traffic on the street could easily do him in, yet balancing this risk against his spirit, spirit always wins.

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Rich Goulart of Falmouth has a cat that beats our Ancient Mariner by four years. At 22, she stays inside, except in summer, when she sleeps on the deck in the sun. She began domesticated life as a rescue from a dumpster, along with her litter mates.  Goulart's wife adopted her from the shelter when she was eighteen months old.  Until about three years ago, she prowled the woods around Goulart's home and was a good hunter. 

"She has outlived both of our dogs and doesn't seem ready to quit anytime soon," Goulart says. "She's quite amazing."

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When we put down our Springer spaniel last summer, I thought he was far too young to go at the age of ten. Little did I know how young he was.

Recently, I met someone who owns two Springers, one still spry at age 13. He says he's always loved the breed, recalling a picture of himself at 6 with the family Springer. Years later, after he came out of the service and had kids of his own, the Springer was still alive. He does the math—the dog died at 21.

According to Guinness Book of World Records, Creme Puff from Texas was the oldest cat on record, dying at 38 years. Lucy, a tabby from Wales, is purported to be 39 and still going strong. The oldest dog on record, Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, died at 29.

Granted, these are extraordinary examples. Ordinary cats live to 15 years. The life expectancy of dogs depends on their size,  most will live from 10 to 13.

For those who want pets who reliably live longer, there are parrots who live to be 80 years and boa constrictors that may reach 40. These species aren't common household pets and don't appeal to many people. Most of us say goodbye to our pets far too soon. 

Meanwhile, the Ancient Mariner has a meow that echoes in the neighborhood, a kind of atonal squawk. He's telling everyone within earshot that he's still here.

We'd love to hear about your Ancient Mariner. Tell us here in the comments! 

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