Look what the search dragged in

JOHN SELKIRK

JUDGED NZ'S OLDEST CAT: Smokey, with owner Jean Elliot.

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The puss thought to be New Zealand's oldest has been discovered, living where else but in a pensioner village.

Smokey, a blue burmese, was born in January 1985, making him 24 years and nine months old.

This is considered to be the human equivalent of 111 years, although cat aficionados are somewhat divided on the appropriate mathematical formula to convert human to cat years.

Suffice to say, this is one mature moggy. Yesterday he was officially declared New Zealand's premier pensioner puss after a search by pet food company Purina.

His age was authenticated by his local vet and based on medical records.

"Laid-back Smokey Joe" is how his owner, Jean Elliot, 76, describes him. "He is very independent."

Mrs Elliot and Smokey live in a Housing Corporation pensioner flat in Auckland's Mt Roskill.

Smokey was originally the pet of old soldier George "Bones" Rosewarne. The cat followed him everywhere, Mrs Elliot said. When Mr Rosewarne died in 2001, Smokey would stand and howl outside his door.

Mrs Elliot promised the Rosewarne family she would look after Smokey. And she has done so ever since.

Little did she realise how long that would be. However, she says she would not be without old Smokey.

She may in fact have him for a good many more years. According to Guinness World Records, the oldest cat was Creme Puff, from Texas, who died in 2005 at the age of 38.

Smokey shows no signs of letting up just yet. Mrs Elliot said he remained firmly top cat in the pensioner flats.

"He's a scrapper. He still brings in the odd mouse. And he drools when he sees pigeons on the wall."

- © Fairfax NZ News