Hi, regarding the post about not knowing of a panda or blaze living beyond
6 years or so, well I knew of one.  My brother in law had one before they
were legal in MA and she lived on kitten kibble and a sweet cereal as a
treat!  she was whole when he got her as a kit but had her spayed when
it was time to have her spayed (not as a kit).  He kept her in a huge,
homemade plywood cage with wire on top, that had a small electric fan in
it for cool air circulation, etc.  She of course had plenty of daily
attention and was bathed weekly!  She did experience hair loss at one
time but was treated with something and the fur came back.  Her name was
Sarah and she had a cat as a companion to play with when out running about
in the apartment.  Sarah lived to 8 or close to 9 years old with no real
problems!  wonder if the spaying at a late age or the darkness of the
plywood had anything to do with a long, healthy life?  the gene pool was
much smaller then I guess- he got her about 13 years ago!
 
Eleanor
[Posted in FML issue 3619]