When I first started dating my husband, he told me he had the best cat ever. I was a bit offended because at the time I was completely besotted by my own calico cat. Shortly after that I fell in love with Joey. It's hard not to love Joey. He's a big love bug. He talks all the time. He's a good snuggler. He stares at you adoringly. He chirps at birds and squirrels. He is the perfect cat. The best cat ever as far as I'm concerned.
And so it was very upsetting when I realized this summer that he was not himself. He had just turned 14 and he was drinking a lot of water. At first I tried to tell myself it was because it was so hot, but I knew we had to take him to the vet and I also had a good idea what his diagnosis was going to be.
Joey is diabetic. It happens in elderly cats. I was surprised to learn that unlike humans and dogs, with treatment, cats can go into remission. I threw myself into Joey's treatment plan. I went down the grocery store with the multipage list of "low carb, high protein" foods he was allowed to eat. (He's basically on the Atkins Plan. He can't have carbs. So he's completely off kibble. It makes it hard for him to gain weight.) I learned how to prick his ear to draw blood and check his blood glucose. I learned how to give him injections. I cried when I had to draw blood every hour for 12 hours. Through it all -- all of the things that I've done to him -- Joey has not wavered in his devotion to me.
By now, one of our girl cats would be plotting my death.
The vet gave us her personal cell phone number and asked us to text us updates. She told us that she had one cat that went into remission after two weeks! I was hopeful that if I was an enthusiastic as possible this would happen for Joe -- but it has not. He's had good days and bad days.
When we first started texting BG updates to the vet, she would respond right away -- "That's great news!" "Wow!" But after a bit, she stopped responding immediately. Or a few hours later, we'd get a "Thanks for the update." My hubby gets upset by these delayed responses. When he doesn't get what he thinks is a proper or immediate response -- he wants to text "Are you on a date?" and "Hey! I'm waiting here."
So far, I've kept him from doing this, but I don't know how much longer he will be able to resist.
All that matters to me is Joey. He is, after all, the best cat ever. Everyone knows that.
