John and Dave a purrfect match

As a veteran of World War II and at the age of 94, John Ruxton is still experiencing some of life’s firsts: last year, he adopted his first cat, Dave. 

Eleven-year-old Dave had been at Logan Animal Management Centre for 3 months when John adopted him in December as part of Logan City Council’s Senior Pets for Senior People program. 

‘I’ve never had a cat before, but we are getting along very well. Dave is lovely,’ John says. 

‘I love all animals, but I have always had dogs as pets previously.  

‘Now that I wouldn’t be able to walk them properly, a cat seemed like a good idea and he has settled in beautifully. 

‘He runs the place!’ 

Dave, John and John’s wife Ina live in harmony, says John, despite Dave’s bossiness. 

‘I woke up one morning at 5 am with him sitting on my head because he wanted to get up,’ John says, describing a familiar experience for many cat owners. 

‘Now he’s settled down a bit he is more likely to sit by the bed and meow for us to get up instead. 

‘He loves to curl up on my lap and he’s very vocal. He makes it clear what he wants.’ 

John’s habit of feeding the local birds every day has been able to continue, as Dave doesn’t chase them, but lazily watches from a cool, shady spot near his food, milk and John’s potted plants. 

‘When I was 62, I studied horticulture, so I grow all sorts of things – cacti and pineapples at the moment – these are my other pets,’ says John. 

A Logan Central resident since 2003, John is proudly Logan’s youngest World War II veteran, having signed up when he was just 14. He’s a regular in ANZAC parades in Logan Central. 

Logan City Council’s Senior Pets for Senior People program rehomes mature animals with seniors for free. Head here to see more pets available for adoption.