SWEETIE LIFE FOR 27- YEAR- OLD CAT
AT 27 years of age, Sweetie the cat has lived a happy and healthy life thanks to her adoring owners Daphne and Roy Lovelady.
“We’ve had lots of pets over the years,” said Daphne, 83, who has lived with her husband Roy, 86, in the same house in Railway Estate for the past 56 years.
“Sweetie’s mother was a stray cat from down the street. She used to have a litter and when the kittens started scampering around she’d bring them up to us to look after. They were all hungry and beautiful and we just took care of them.”
AT 27 years of age, Sweetie the cat has lived a happy and healthy life thanks to her adoring owners Daphne and Roy Lovelady.
“We’ve had lots of pets over the years,” said Daphne, 83, who has lived with her husband Roy, 86, in the same house in Railway Estate for the past 56 years.
“Sweetie’s mother was a stray cat from down the street. She used to have a litter and when the kittens started scampering around she’d bring them up to us to look after. They were all hungry and beautiful and we just took care of them.”
Sweetie came from the same litter as two other cats lucky enough to be taken in by the loving Lovelady household – Boysie, who lived for 23 years, and Socks, who lived to 23 ½ .
While Daphne says her sturdy fences have kept her beloved cats out of trouble over the years, Roy insists the secret to a long and happy life for a moggy is simple.
“Care and attention. If you give your animals care and attention, they’ll be with you for a long time,” said Roy.
Having been married for 63 years, Daphne and Roy obviously give each other the same loving care and attention their pets enjoy.
Once upon a time, Daphne lived next door to Roy’s sister, but the pair officially met at a dance. Roy asked Daphne to dance and Daphne said yes. Why?
“Because he was a very good dancer,” said Daphne.
The couple married when Daphne was 19 and Roy was 22.
These days, Daphne and Roy do their dancing up and down the stairs, taking Sweetie out whenever she needs it.
“Sweetie gets us up sometimes two or three times a night, and when it’s cold that gets weary on old bones. Sometimes it’s a pain in the bottom,” Daphne said. “But you do it because you love them.”
Daphne’s advice to the pet owners of Townsville is simple and sound, and comes from a lifetime of experience.
“Look after them, make sure they’re safe. They’re part of your family,” she said.
“Having a pet helps you understand life a bit better. “You might not always agree with what happens in life, but having a pet helps you understand it more.” For the full story on Sweetie as well as heaps of handy local tips and awesome advice for your beloved pets, check out our eightpage special feature, Best Friends, in this weekend’s Townsville Eye.