Sad news: Jasper the Cat has died, at the venerable old age of 20. You may remember Jasper from my time living in Baltimore — he was my old housemate’s cat, and Pandora’s brother. An active and affectionate gray tabby with a roguish penchant for the outdoors, Jasper was excitable opposite to his quieter, more reserved indoor sister. With both cats born from a litter of four, of whom the other two had died previously, Jasper’s passing leaves Pandora as last survivor of the litter.

As for Pandora, 20 years old is impressive for a cat, but the age is not without attendant health and behavior issues, among them feline hyperthyroidism, renal dysfunction, litterbox aversion, and frequent regurgitation. Regular vet checkups are a must, and with regular medication she’s doing fairly well for such an advanced age. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it; hopefully she lives for years longer still.