Preface: I love all animals. I've owned my beautiful cat for 17 years. Given her old age, the responsibilities in looking after her have grown including only picking her up when I must and doing so in ways that protect her vital organs and bones, bathing her as she struggles to clean herself, watering down her dry food so as to not hurt her sensitive teeth etc. I also owned my lovely dog for 9 years before he passed from natural causes.