Growing up with my childhood cat Honeybun deeply shaped my life. Her affectionate nature and warm greetings upon my return home were a constant comfort. Losing her last February was incredibly painful. I cherished her throughout her life, especially her gentle demeanor in her later years. This experience sparked a thought: when I had my own place, I would adopt older cats, offering them a loving home instead of a cage in their twilight years.
Last summer, settling into my own flat in London, I felt ready to adopt. My search led me to Flossie through Cats Protection, a dedicated charity for stray, unwanted, and homeless cats. Their website listed her as a 27-year-old tortoiseshell. Initially, I assumed it was a typo, thinking perhaps she was 17. However, Cats Protection confirmed she was indeed 27 and still available for adoption – the same age as me. It felt surreal to realize Flossie and I were born in the same year.
Adopting Flossie, I anticipated having her for only a few months. My primary goal was to provide her with comfort, warmth, good food, treats, and a cozy bed during her remaining time. I wanted her to feel at home and receive the attention she deserved. Surprisingly, over a year has passed, and Flossie is still thriving. Her birthday is on December 29th, and she recently celebrated her 28th year.
Flossie is a petite indoor cat who constantly seeks affection. She’s incredibly friendly and will readily curl up on anyone’s lap. Her favorite spot is the balcony, particularly when bathed in sunshine. Despite being the same age in human years, I still see her as my baby. She is my child, my closest companion, my family. Coming home to her presence is always comforting.
Her daily routine is quite consistent: a loud meow at six every morning for breakfast, followed by a nap, then waking up for afternoon snacks, and more naps. She has a few cherished toys she enjoys playing with. As soon as I get into bed, she climbs onto my chest and settles down on my lap to sleep. After a brief nap there, she usually moves down near my feet for the rest of the night.
I believe Flossie’s longevity is mainly due to a combination of good fortune and the love she received from her previous owners. She now follows a special diet, but remains remarkably active for her age – as active as a 28-year-old cat can be! I bought her small stairs to help her get onto the sofa, but she ignores them completely and still jumps effortlessly.
It was quite by chance that I discovered Flossie was recognized as the world’s oldest living cat. Someone from Cats Protection contacted me, mentioning they believed she might hold the title. They had obtained veterinary records confirming her birth date as December 1995.
Initially, I was surprised but didn’t anticipate the extent of the attention it would bring. Guinness World Records visited us to take photos. Within a week, images of Flossie and me were everywhere, generating an outpouring of heartwarming responses. One kind gentleman even painted a portrait of Flossie and sent it to Cats Protection, who then forwarded it to me, along with a toy mouse and some treats.
One of the most surreal and precious moments was sitting with Flossie on the sofa, watching ourselves on television. Of course, she was completely oblivious to what was happening, but it was a fun experience to share with her and think, “That’s us on TV!” I was also invited to give a speech at the Cats Protection awards ceremony in her honor – something I never imagined I’d do. In my speech, I shared how encouraging it was to see older cats getting adopted and finding loving retirement homes.
Caring for a senior cat like Flossie does come with certain challenges. She is deaf and partially sighted. However, she has been remarkably easy to care for.
The most significant challenge is coming to terms with the inevitable – the thought of her passing. I try to avoid thinking about it. Looking at her, she doesn’t seem old at all. Who knows what the future holds? She might even be on her way to becoming The Oldest Cat in history. Even if she doesn’t surpass the current record of 38 years and three days, I take comfort in knowing she is experiencing a wonderful retirement in a loving home.
