Cats can live as long as 22 years, while most dogs don’t make it past 15. This can trick a pet lover into believing her cat is immortal. I should know: I’ve said goodbye to a few dogs in my life, but, so far, no cats – until three weeks ago, when I lost Ludmilla, my 10-year-old blue Burmese.

I first spotted her at a crowded upstate animal shelter, sharing a cramped cage with several other unwanted cats, all marked for death. I was immediately smitten with her beauty, so she was named after the feline seductress in Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita.”

Ludmilla’s petite form, silver highlights and green eyes seduced the camera, and she quickly became a frequently photographed feline, appearing on the cover of my first book, “Animal House Style,” and in many columns.

A queen trapped in an animal’s body, Ludmilla would place her paw on my mouth for a kiss. But there’s a big drawback to loving a blue-blooded cat: purebreds have more health problems.

My other cats are as healthy as horses; I wish I could say the same for the blue Burmese, who turned yellow from liver disease two Christmases ago. With emergency surgery, Westbury’s Center for Specialized Veterinary Care bought me an extra year and a half with my royal cat.

Despite taking medications, Ludmilla would always happily devour her favorite Wellness Complete Health food. But recently, she showed no interest in eating. She used to sleep on my chest, but began to keep to herself. Ludmilla grew so jaundiced that even her toenails were bright yellow. She fought long and hard, but liver disease won.

I’m grateful to the Humane Society for making the final injection so easy she didn’t even flinch. The vet assured me Ludmilla was ready.

Even if I wasn’t.

js@pet-reporter.com