At the risk of jinxing it (knock on wood), and because some of my friends have recently endured sad pet-related life events, I just thought I’d share some good news about my seventeen-year-old feline companion, Ripley.

She had her semi-annual checkup (with full blood profile, etc.) on Monday, and I’m happy to say my sweet ol’ girl is in pretty good health for a cat her age.

For the past three years or so, she has been taking a steroid called prednisone to relieve her arthritis and the pain of her hip dysplasia. The drug can sometimes cause complications with an animal’s organ functions, so its effects need to be monitored at regular intervals.

Well, so far so good (and knock on dense plant fiber again). All her blood chemistry tested as optimal; her mobility, strength, and weight are good; her teeth and gums are healthy; her appetite is good; etc.

Here’s hoping the ol’ girl has a lot of high-quality life left in her.