Veteran Scots moggy to celebrate 23rd birthday with cake and champagne party

dailyrecord.co.uk:

She might not be quite as old as the Egyptian pharaoh from whom she takes her name, but this cat could well be Renfrewshire’s oldest.

Cleopatra – Cleo to her friends – is turning a remarkable 23 years old next month and there are big celebrations lined up for the senior moggy.There will be food, cake, and champagne at her birthday bash this Sunday, as Cleo’s owners, Claire and Gordon Bruce, their pet dog Cree, and fellow feline friend Ollie toast to Cleo’s good health.The Paisley pussycat has lived all over Renfrewshire and Glasgow throughout the course of her nine lives, having lived in Crookston, Bridge of Weir and Ralston, before her current home on the edge of the town centre.“Cleo is sassy and is the boss of the house!” Claire told the Paisley Daily Express. “She’s a half Siamese breed and is very vocal, said Claire, adding: “She likes to get up about 3am for some food and water and then comes back on the bed, walks up to your face and yams very loudly – so you wake up to pet her!“Cleo is very affectionate now (wasn’t in her younger days) – she didn’t scratch or bite just always wanted to be outside but now loves a cuddle, especially from her dad!”The affection from her owners does not go unrewarded.

In her younger years, when she was more mobile, Cleo was a cat that loved the outdoors and would frequently bring back gruesome presents from her adventures.Claire said: “The sight and smell of a decapitated squirrel certainly puts you off your breakfast!

Thankfully this phase did not last long. Cleo is very small, so no idea how she managed it, unless she had helpers.”Having now reached 23 –around 108 human years – Cleo is content to remain at home and has put her squirrel hunting days behind her.