Dusty here, I want you all to start celebrating a senior pet, because we seniors have a lot to offer you and your family. Here are a few reasons why you should love us.
I saw Mum looking at me the other day, she looked as if she had tears in her eyes, sort of sad. “My Dusty boy,” she said, and I sensed a touch of worry. I know she loves me, so I wanted to write something for her, and for anyone who takes in a senior cat, or dog. Anyone who thinks they got to us oldsters too late to make a difference.
Please, think again…..
Dusty’s Thoughts on Celebrating A Senior in the Family
I’m fine Mum, I am safe, warm and content. I don’t feel the need to whoop it up like the youngsters anymore.
I am an older cat, but, that doesn’t mean I can’t express my gratitude. I just do it in quieter ways. It may be a croaky meow, a raspy lick, or a trusting look. I lack the courage to cuddle; there are things in my past that stop me in my tracks, things I can’t tell you, but I am learning to trust again – a bit more each day. I can purr too, so I do just for the pleasure of it!
You worry you are a bit of a ‘helicopter mum’, hovering anxiously to see if I like today’s meal, or if I have enough water. I do, I just like keeping you on your toes by pretending the food’s not to my taste *grin*.
Celebrating A Senior – Gratitude
How many other seniors get up to six tasty meals a day – on demand and, how many get a daily brush from Dad (he’s my favourite). Often he will put down his briefcase and ask if I want a brush, before he even unpacks!
So, don’t look sad; or say ‘We Love you Dusty’ and worry. I know you love me, because:-
- My expensive emergency vet visit on Boxing Day tells me.
- My daily Dusty special senior supplement tells me.
- The sound of love and encouragement from the ‘Morning Dusty!”, to my own special night light left on for me, and the “Sleep tight Dusty” as you put out my night time snack and fresh water.
So, don’t cry for what happened before, what you can’t change, that’s in the past. I am happy, I am here.
I am HOME.
Dusty
Spoiled Celebrating and a
Senior Blog Reporter
Marjorie is a blogger, award-winning photographer and smartphone moviemaker who loves cats.
Our beloved angel Sammi was adopted at a reported age of 14 and we had 7 wonderful years with him, during which he was happy, healthy, playful and so much loved.
Elvis joined us last August at age 9, as the “baby” of our family. He, too, is happy, healthy, playful and very, very loved.
We don’t go out of our way to adopt any specific age, type, or gender of cat. When a cat is in need of a loving, forever home, that’s enough for us, because we KNOW we’ll love him or her. You should, too!
What a beautiful post. Dusty, you definitely have it made! You’ve got the best home you could have ever found. And Mom Marjorie, Dusty is absolutely right. You can’t be sad about what is in the past. You have so many reasons to be happy – Dusty is loved, is well taken care of, and has the best home. Thanks to you!
Dusty is very lucky to have found you and have a loving home for however many years he has ahead of him. I completely get the ‘helicopter mum’ thing though – Max had another asthma attack today (first one since last winter)… and I was all over him.
Awww I love the golden oldies
I am so glad Dusty is enjoying the ‘golden years’ with you and experiencing what it means to be loved and safe!
Such a wonderful perspective on being a rescued senior kitty.
I like that you say not to cry for what happened before, it’s in the past. So true! It’s pointless to fret over what may have happened to our senior furbabies before, let’s put all our energies into making what happens each & every day with us now and going forward the only thing we spend our energy on. I know it’s not easy, each time Phoebe appears to be having a terrible nightmare it breaks my heart wondering what she may have endured, but when I gently say her name and she wakes up and starts wagging her tail I know it’s ok. They draw strength from us now.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Dusty, you are so sage and sweet! What a lovely way to show your appreciation.
Love this. I miss my cat terribly. She was 17 when she passed and struggled with kidney issues for her final two years. I have a new cat with allergy issues and plan to adopt another cat when we get her problems solved. I hadn’t considered getting an older cat but that might work with my older dog.
The trust senior animals must show is amazing – and at times they may be cautious, but they do trust. It is such a reward to make a home for a senior – such a blessing. This touched my heart!
Such a touching post. It’s a real case of better late than never. Savour the love.
I cannot guarantee you this won’t make me cry. How beautiful and poignant and you are pawsome. I love stories like this. I am a sap but I love pets!
Such a beautiful and reassuring post! You even threw in some humor. 🙂 I’ve adopted two seniors in the past, but this article actually made me think more about our former feral. She’s still fairly young, but I think being outside aged her, and so in many ways she doesn’t need to whoop it up either. She just appreciates being home.
I so love this! So sweet and very touching. So happy for you, Dusty!
What a beautiful story, it is not the age but the love they give us
Dusty,
Thank you for sharing the story about you and your mom. Many senior cats are in need of homes, and you are helping to make people aware. Purrs from you cat friends Whiskey and Boris.
Okay that made me cry! As someone who adopts seniors, and someone who hovers a bit too much at times, it’s nice to hear what the animals have to say about being adopted later in life. Great post.
I’m sure Dusty expresses his gratitude for your love and care in so many ways. Thank you for bringing a senior into your home and for providing such a great space for him. It’s people like you who understand the value of adopting a senior animal outweighs the potential shortness of time.
Thank you for reminding us that this is such a rewarding act for both human and pet.
How beautiful. Dusty is not the only one that is benefiting from such a loving and caring home. With two senior cats I know just how you feel.
Very sweet. I love that Dad puts you first for a brush. That just made my heart melt.
What a beautiful and touching letter, Dusty! So happy that you found such a wonderful forever home, we hope you share many more years together!
Oh Dusty, you are so sweet to reassure your mom like that. Seniors have so much love to give and more people should open their homes and hearts to seniors. Great post!
Dusty, I can tell you are a senior because of your wise words. I think that people who adopt seniors are lucky indeed!
Oh Dusty, dat was so sweet you gawjus kitty you. We kitties dat have luvvin’ pawrents are so very blest. You are doubly so with a mommy and a daddy. Big hugs to you
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
This is such a beautiful letter, Dusty!
So happy that you’ve found a loving forever home 🙂
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Such a beautiful post, Dusty. You are so, so right! Gracie and Zoe are seniors, and they bless us every single day. And we know they feel happy and loved and blessed to be here with us, too.
Hugs!
Dear Dusty,
Mes could has writed this post! Thanks yous for being so eloquent!
Many Kisses
Nellie
Dusty, you wrote a heartwarming letter of gratitude to your Mom. It was wonderful that you reminded her and everyone that the past can’t be changed and we have to focus on our gratitude for today and our hope for the future.
Dusty you are so sweet. Our Mom feels the same way about Breezy since she was in a puppy mill for over 6 years before she was rescued and Mom adopted her last November. Mom gets so sad but knows that Bree will never have to suffer again. Mom’s love you seniors for all your quirks and are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you know it!
HUmans worry about us as we get older. It’s just what they do.
We are happy you are living a good life.
Sooner or later they will relax and take off the kid gloves 😉
Purrs Georgia( 13) ,Julie(7) and JJ (19)
There is SO much truth in your post, Dusty! Senior cats are celebrations… and humans worry way too much.
This brought tears to our eyes. Sharing. Wait, six meals a day? TW is gypping me out of a few meals!
This is such a wonderful post. If it were blog paws nomination time I would nominate this as it touched us deeply, and brings such an important message too. Dusty is such a great guy and he is matched by a FANTASTIC Mom and Dad.
Purrs, Erin
Dusty, that’s a beautiful letter to your mom ! We’re glad you found such a wonderful forever home ! Purrs
You hit the jackpot when you landed at that house Dusty. Don’t tell anyone, but you’re one of my favorite internet kitties. ? ?
Those ?? marks were actually heart emoticons. 🙂
It’s hard for peeps not to get all teary eyed handsome Dusty, they do love us and worry about us and our happiness. That’s a good thing!
This is so touching and thoughtful!
One of the greatest joys of my adult life has been to adopt very senior cats, but it does require patience and the willingness to understand their threshold for physical love.You are providing Dusty with a consistent, comfortable and safe home – something he may never have experienced before! You are giving him a very beautiful, loving piece of your heart and I believe he recognizes it.
*soft paw* We are so grateful that you have such a loving home now, Dusty. We purray that all could be so lucky and know the love and caring of a wonderful fambily such as yours. I recall reading somewhere that a dog/cat rescuer once said, when asked how he coped emotionallly with the sight and stories of abused animals, that he concentrated on the future of the animal and the knowledge that their lives were about to be changed for the good. What your Mum & Dad do makes a HUGE pawsitive difference to the life of an animal, and we think it is somehow even more impawtant that they do this for senior kitties. They make sure you are loved and safe so that you can [finally] relax, sometimes for the first time in your lives. Your Mum & Dad are extra special, Dusty. As are you xx