The "Old Man of Harrington Drive" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just got back from a trip to the vet. Not for me! For Otis, our Himalayan cat. We bought Otis in 1993 from a breeder near Reading, Pennsylvania and took him for his first visit to the vet in September of that year. September, 1993 is the first entry Dr. Nicole has in here folder on Otis. Makes him close to 18 years old, or 92 years old in cat years. What are cat years? Seems that cats mature and age at quite a different rate than we do. A 1 year old cat is about the equivalent of a 16-17 year old teenager. Between the years 2 and 9, cats advance in their lifespan at the equivalent of about 5-6 human years. Cats actually enter their golden years at about the age of 9. Otis goes to see Dr. Nicole about 2 times a year now. His lifespan has been extended because of staying indoors and the fact that modern medicine has entered into the veterinarian scene. He actually takes some of the same medicines that I take, only they have different names. I put a daily dose of "Cosequin" on his food in the morning and then pop 2 "Glucosamine" pills in my mouth with a swallow of water. Carol then takes over and gives him a pill for his high blood pressure and a liquid dose of medicine with a syringe for his heart (flavored with a fish taste at a pharmacy) while Carol and I take our pill for our heart. Once a month Carol gives Otis a shot of Adequan which is to help with his joints and pain. Dr. Nicole says he has arthritis in his joints. 3 months ago I had a shot in my lower back that greatly helped the pain in my back and last week I had a shot in my hand to help me open my fingers again. Seems that we all take the same things, only in different doses. Well, Otis seems to be shrinking. He has lost a few pounds over the last couple of years. His weight is listed on his "Senior Pet Club" sheet as 6.6 pounds. We have a real big differential in that category! I seem to be going the other direction. He still enjoys being with us, sitting on our laps, watching all the outdoor action from our rear door, carrying around his play mice every evening, laying in front of the fire, and napping. Really does sound like me. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.