World's Oldest Cat Dies After 27 Love-Filled Years

Published on 6/5/2015 at 5:39 PM

<p><a href="http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/2/california-cat-tiffany-two-claims-the-record-for-oldest-cat-living-370934">Guinness World Records</a><span></span></p>

A sweet tortoiseshell cat named Tiffany II passed away in her sleep this week at the age 27 years, 2 months and 20 days, leaving behind a legacy of love that won't soon be forgotten.

Tiffany II was officially recognized as "the world's oldest cat" by Guinness World Records in February for exceeding her species' typical life expectancy by more than a decade. Shortly after, The Dodo spoke with the elderly cat's adoring owner, Sharon Voorhees, whereupon we learned the incredibly touching secret to Tiffany II's record-breaking longevity - love.

"I always say that she's lived so long because she's so completely devoted," Voorhees said at the time. "I have the feeling that she just doesn't want to leave me, and I think there's some truth to that."

Voorhees first met Tiffany II in 1988, rescuing her from a pet store that was hours from going out of business. Little did she know that her unplanned new pet would become such a beloved figure in her life over the nearly three decades that followed.

"I paid $10 for her and got 27 years of love. My best investment yet," she said. "'I've always felt that Tiffany is there for me."

While Tiffany II's passing no doubt leaves behind an indelible hole in her human's life, what Voorhees learned from her many years spent with the cat is something every pet owner can take to heart:

"I think sometimes we humans are so busy looking at other things that we forget to look down to see the most loving support system in the whole wide world sitting right there at your feet."