I know pooches are sometimes easier to relate to but your Twitch looks a beauty too...

Is she a tortoiseshell?
Quite frankly, her (?his) story reassures me. My Mushy (white neutered male and always a wuss in all ways but HUGE!!) is over 14 now and has arthritis (gets glucosamine daily and seems much better the last year or two

).... But I figured that, in having to leave him behind because of his timid temperament, and with a plan of travelling at least 1.5 years, I might never see him again...

. Maybe that is part of what keeps me putting things off here (also the weather LOL!!)... The DH will care for him and the other kitty and dog and maybe he will still be here when I come back...?

I wonder what Twitch's secret for longevity has been...? Mushy has always been a marshmallow LOL, hence his name...lazy, fattish despite my efforts and the diet but sucky/lovey LOL. You know that kind of cat?
Thanks for sharing... Wish I could bring my little old guy (feline LOL) along with me too...
jan