Getting Older...

I know that age is just a number but, sometimes, we are smacked in the face with just how old we are getting. You know, like when a beloved movie from when you were a pre-teen turns 25 or when your nieces or nephews are driving and dating or getting ready to go off to college. Well, I was hit once more with a startling reality check. Most of us have heard of the term Cougar. For those of you who haven't, allow me to enlighten you. A Cougar is not just a big beautiful feline anymore. No...a Cougar is the very charming (read that in a snarky, sarcastic voice) term that has been given to single women who are 35 years old or older who are currently on the hunt for younger men. Whatever. No biggie right? Except that I would fall into that category were I a single woman on the hunt for a younger guy. So, I guess that I am officially considered old at the ripe old age of 35. I would be a baby Cougar. Perhaps a Cougar cub. But, a Cougar nonetheless. And, that stings a little. I have lucked out. My genetic makeup has me looking more than a decade younger than my actual age. At least, that is what I have been told by everyone. In fact, I have actually had people argue with me and make me pull out my driver's license to prove that I am the age I say I am. No...I don't lie about my age. So, as I sit here realizing that the general public considers me "old", it is comforting to know that, those who know me, and those who have only met me, all think I am much younger than I really am. So, here is the question. If a single woman, 35 years or older and on the hunt for a younger man, is called a Cougar, what is a man, 35 years or older on the hunt for a younger woman, called? A Heffner? Or, would we dub them a more animalistic name like women get? Perhaps a Bear? No...that doesn't sound right to me. A Snake? No...that applies to men who are your basic jerk. Perhaps we could keep it in the same general family. A Panther. Or, a Lion? I welcome all suggestions because, women aren't the only gender who look for younger mates.

Note: The picture above was taken from "Wild Cats of the World" by Barbara Sleeper
"Cougar Facts", Mountain Lion Foundation web site