My mum has one who is about 17 now. She was a farm kitten when we got her and made a lovely, friendly pet for my sister and I. As soon as she moved into our house she got very sick and coughed until she made a hole in her trachea, which the vets treated, and she coughed it open again. It turned out she was allergic to something in the house, possibly people, which she'd not really been exposed to living outdoors on the farm. The vet prescribed steroid medication for her allergy and we all sort of agreed she might not have the longest life. She's outlived two other cats at this point and is going pretty strong, although being long haired we sometimes have to groom her or trim the fur around her bottom. At times she even comes off the steroids and does okay for a while, but we always put her back onto the medication if her breathing alters at all. I think it's wonderful she's stuck around so long - she must like living with my folks!
