'World's oldest cat' Rosie dies at 33 as her heartbroken owner pays tribute
Lila Brisset has sadly said farewell to her beloved pet Rosie, the fluffy tortoiseshell cat thought to be the oldest in the world at the youthful age of 33or a staggering 152 in human years. Rosie passed away this week at home in her devastated owner's hallway.
Rosie, born in 1991, unofficially snatched the title for world's oldest cat. Although the official record is held by 28 year old Flossie from Kent, Rosie had celebrated her grand 33rd birthday on June 1st. Lila Brissett, 71, from Norwich said: "I miss her so much. She wasn't very well and one day she just walked into the hallway of the house, laid down and passed away. There were lots of good memories though and I'm happy we had our time together."
Rosie spent her golden years snoozing by the window, safter retiring from the outdoor life. Back in the '90s, it was destiny when Rosie, originally destined for another family, needed rehoming due to allergies - enter Lila, a widow who had previously rescued another cat and a stray dog. Rosie's unique bushy squirrel-like tail, thanks to her grey ragdoll mum and ginger tom dad, will be fondly remembered by all who knew her, reports the Mirror.
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Lila shared her life with Rosie, the indoor cat who rules her ground-floor flat, insisting on Purina One cat food daily "or she'll kick up a fuss". Lila reminisced: "She's quite a character. Rosie sleeps by the window all day and, like clockwork, she will have some food and use the litter tray."
"There's no need for an alarm clock. All she does is eat, sleep, use the litter tray and repeat. I often have to check if she's still alive and breathing. I'm worried about the day she crosses over the rainbow bridge. She'll leave a big void. I'll miss her when she goes. But I'll never have her put down."
The Guinness Book of World Records lists the current oldest living cat at 27 years old, born on December 29, 1995, and verified in Orpington, Greater London, on November 10, 2022. A representative from Guinness World Records had encouraged Lila to apply for Rosie's record last year, but she didn't manage to submit it.
The record for the oldest cat ever belongs to Creme Puff from Austin, Texas, who was born on August 3, 1967, and lived until August 6, 2005 - reaching 38 years and three days.