We’ve recently learned Rubble, the world’s oldest living cat, died just shy of reaching his 32nd birthday in May.
His mom, Michele, sensed this last Christmas would likely be Rubble’s final holiday celebration as he had started to decline in his extreme old age. As the end grew near, he stopped eating, wanting only water, and growing thin.
On his last day, she said, “I went to work as usual, and when I got home my husband said Rubble had gone over the road as he did every day and never came back, so we believe he went off to die as cats do.”
About her longtime buddy, Michele shared, “He was an amazing companion that I had the pleasure to live with for such a long time.”
Our hearts are with Rubble’s family as we wish the old man good-bye.
H/T: www.pupperish.com
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Original Post:
The year is 1988, Bush Sr. is headed for the White House, Bobby McFerrin tells us “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, and a tiny kitten enters the world, destined to see three decades worth of birthday celebrations.
Meet Rubble, a handsome, ginger and white tabby lad born in May of 1988. Yes, cat lover, you read that right. Rubble is a kitten of the 80s and now in his thirties.
And, he’s doing just fine for an old man. His secret? A mother’s love…
Rubble’s mom, Michele Foster, said, “If you care about something and someone and really love them, that goes a long way. I have always treated him like a child – I don’t have any children and had another cat called Meg – who passed at the age of 25. If you care about something, no matter what it is, it does last.”
Michele met Rubble when she turned 20. “He was part of a litter of cats that my sister’s friend had and I had just left home,” she said. “I was lonely living on my own so got him in as a kitten.”
Little did Michele know, she and Rubble would be together for decades to come.
Of her darling boy, Michele said, “He’s a lovely cat, although he has got a little grumpy in his old age.”
30th Birthday Bash for Rubble
To keep him fit in his old age, Rubble sees the medical team at City Vets Exeter and to celebrate their oldest patient, staff threw Rubble a 30th birthday celebration in 2018.
Dr. Shaun Moore of City Vets reported, “He enjoyed a free check-up, some Whiskas Catmilk and Felix pouches, and less appreciated a free supply of medication for the next month as his birthday present from City Vets.”
And as for Rubble’s health at 137 in human years, Dr. Moore said, “He is on medication for his blood pressure but apart from that, he is in remarkably good health.”
Michele’s decades of love have done the cat well, helping to keep Rubble impressively healthy for a super senior cat.
The World’s Oldest Cat
As of January 2020, Rubble is currently the world’s oldest cat. But in his early 30s, Rubble has a few years to go to earn the title of oldest cat ever. That title belongs to a cat named Crème Puff, who lived from August 3, 1967, until August 6, 2005, passing away at 38 years and 3 days old.
But Rubble’s not a cat who needs fame and he keeps to himself as old cats like to do. “He is old now and would not like too much attention or be hassled. We would prefer if he was just left to live out his old age in peace,” requested Michelle.
A great request, as super senior cats need life on the quiet side!
Come next month, Rubble will celebrate his 32rd birthday and we’d like to wish him a happy and peaceful day filled with treats!
Feature Image: City Vets, Exeter/Facebook & The Meow Mission/Facebook