I don't post much anymore, but since Wolfy asked for replies, how can I
resist?
 
My Java Joe, who passed away in his hammock a few weeks ago, was
diagnosed with a heart murmur when I first adopted him.  I had him for
almost four years, and don't know how old he was when I got him.  He
had white knees and a white bib.  He wasn't deaf, though.
 
I don't know if the heart murmur caused him any trouble, although my
vet warned me that it might.  He was certainly as active and playful
as any of my others for the first three years that I had him.  He got
progressively less active and gradually lost weight over the course of
his last year, for no known reason.  He may have been quite old and maybe
he just wore out...
 
Nancy and critters
[Posted in FML issue 4520]