By Kay Luckett
Meet Roamer. Born in 1981 and lived to (possibly) beat the world record as the longest living cat. She just crossed the Rainbow Bridge early in 2025 while being cuddled and loved by her two moms, Leslie and Karen, residents of Prescott Valley, Arizona.
In 1987, Roamer met Leslie and Karen’s mom in Mesa, AZ. At that time Roamer was declared to be six years old. Mom’s neighbor had the poor dear declawed, then sentenced her to a life outside. Most cruel. However, Roamer was getting ready to beat the odds even then as she roamed the neighborhood. She was lucky enough to be eating meals provided by Mom.
Eventually Roamer settled down with Mom and liked to hang out in the safe vicinity of her home. When Mom passed in 2012, daughters Leslie and Karen brought her home where she was adopted into a family of six (yes, six) dogs.
Roamer had a good appetite; she loved eating her many treats and was a big, furry, healthy girl. Every day she went out to the front bushes to rest under the watchful eye of her two moms and six siblings.
As Roamer aged, Leslie joked that she would have to leave Roamer in her will because by then she was a bona fide senior cat. She had a breakfast call time at 4:00am sharp each day. She enjoyed a happy home life, especially being the spoiled kitty.
As Roamer aged, she was losing the ability jump up on the bed, so she slept her last nights under the Christmas tree in her cat-bed.
Leslie introduces the family as Pinner, age 17, a black and white Pointer, Teddy, a terrier mix, age 18, Morty, age 3, Delphina, a Rottweiler nicknamed the gentle beast, age 16, a mixed breed rescued by Karen, Bear, age 2, a Bichon Frise, rescued by her son, and Pinky, age 7, a French Bulldog, rescued by their roommate.
Inspiring life lessons handed down by Leslie include her knowledge that despite the rejection Roamer had suffered through, this cat was appreciated. Especially for how much love and comfort she gave to others, especially to Mom at the time of her passing. Leslie says that sometimes she senses Mom looking at her through Roamer’s eyes.
Additionally, Leslie says that they are most definitely a family of pet lovers. The one thing she feels is important is that when one loses a pet, please adopt a new pet – not to replace but to add to the loving family.
The longer we live, we can potentially adopt three or four or more in our lifetime. We know pets never live long enough, so Leslie’s remedy is to adopt more!
Phone conversations with Leslie (and always with sweet Karen talking in the background) are filled with happy memories and the utter respect and appreciation both sisters and six dogs have for Roamer, their family, and for all living beings. Meow.
