Preparing early for the years ahead with Lek

Lek is only four months old, a mixed-breed cat with a loud purr and far too much energy. You may wonder why a woman of fifty-nine who has just brought home a kitten is writing about senior pet care. The answer is my last cat, who I lost at nineteen. I learned then that the quiet years need as much attention as the playful ones.

So I started early. Every few months I take Lek to the vet in Nonthaburi for a full check, including her weight and teeth, so we have a baseline to compare against later. I am slowly getting her used to a clean, low-sided litter tray and a bed on the floor instead of high shelves, because I know joints stiffen with age.

I also watch how she eats and drinks, and I keep a small notebook of her habits. It sounds fussy, but it helps me notice small changes quickly.

Lek sleeps on my pillow most nights and wakes me for breakfast at six sharp. I do not know how many years we have. I just want to be ready for the day she needs me more than she needs to chase string.