Tigger is NOT your average Cat May 11, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Animals, Life Balance.trackback
Tigger has incredible manual dexterity. If we toss him a treat, he jumps up and catches it with his paws. If he misses the treat on the fly, he picks it up in his paws and lifts it to his lips.
He also handy with houseplans and blue prints!
When we found him, he was all alone in the world. Given his surprising dexterity, we wondered whether he’d been raised by raccoons after being abandoned or orphaned.
He stills works well without being micro-managed.
Another trait Tigger shares with raccoons . . . he loves water!
As a kitten, if we turned on the tap, he’d come running. If we ran water in the bath, he would hop into the tub and splash around.
He’s also a fan of lemonade . . . boxes.
In Maryland, when other animals and birds appeared on the deck, he’d growl and chase them out of his territory.
Except for the raccoons.
The neighborhood raccoons visited our bird feeders most nights. If the feeders were empty, the raccoons wandered around the deck to the sliding glass doors and knocked to let us know it was “dinner time.”
Tigger never tried to chase them away. Instead, he would rush over to the back door to meet and greet the raccoons.
But he refused to share his donuts or scones with them.
Tigger meets and greets us at the door. Rather like a dog. And not just us, company too. He wants to see and be seen.
None of our previous cats felt the need to be sociable to visitors. Or to us.
Tigger comes when called. If I’m headed out to the back deck and call him, he comes running.
Excited to be included in my plans.
Another unusual Tigger trait . . . he’s not afraid of the vacuum cleaner.
Our previous cats disappeared as soon as they heard the vacuum cleaner coming out of the closet.
Not Tigger. He stands his ground.
When BFF vacuums, even in close proximity, Tigger opens one eye, looks askance at the noisy beast, and returns to his nap, undeterred.
On that note, BFF thought of a tagline for our Kenmore Progressive . . . It Really Sucks!
Yesterday, we took Tigger back to the vet. Despite the change in diet, his blood glucose level is still way too high. Proving once again that Tigger is NOT your average cat.
Only 1 in 200 cats develop diabetes ~ less than 1%. Most of them are far older and far fatter than Tigger.
We’ve nursed a sick cat before. For eight years. It took a toll on us. We’re not sure we can (or should) do it again.
Tigger’s future is uncertain.
It really sucks.
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Nancy, I’m really sorry to hear this news. I hoped the changes you made would make a difference. Once you start giving shots and such, can dietary changes make an impact over time, such that the shots might be short-term only?
Cats with diabetes do, sometimes, go into remission. But the Vet told us not to get our hopes up.
You have provided Tigger a wonderful life! It’s the circle…I have my share of cats and catastrophes with them. They always leave a mark on your heart. It’s always tough to lose one. I had four at one point. I’m down to one.
His name is Tigger! He’s pictured on my blog as the Dos Equis Cat on the right side bar. He’s not as “smart” as your Tigger, but keeps us amused!
Just keep giving Tigger all the love in the world. He’s appreciative of the life you’ve given him.
(((HUGS)))
Thanks, ryoko. We swung by to meet your Tigger. He’s a sassy contented looking cat. We also read and enjoyed your post on Jersey ~ both of us are from “central” Jersey.
Our Tigger has had a wonderful life ~ far better (and longer) than he would have enjoyed in the wild.
Wish I had a crystal ball at times like these . . . so we could see what his future might be like if filled with shots and glucose monitoring and trips to the vet for urinary tract infections.
Oh, Nancy…I was hoping by your headline that it was more hopeful news…. well, I’m still hoping for healing….but it sounds like potential difficulties….well, I’ll just keep hoping for healing and recovery….and for your strength and wisdom as you nurture him along…and make choices… I agree with you..it really sucks!
(and for such a raccoon and people oriented, “UN-narcissitic” cat, Tigger has interesting reading choices….great photo!…and the others photos too…what wonderful choices of hang out spots! )
Thanks, Kathy. I started this BEFORE we took him to the vet yesterday . . . hoping I would have WONDERFUL news to share about our amazing little guy.
Instead, the dietary changes haven’t made a dent in his blood sugar levels. We are very sad. 😦
Nancy, as Martin writes below…nature doesn’t always follow doctor’s orders…. there are sometimes more “unknowns” involved….I mentioned before that our dog lived 4 addtional happy years, until 17 years old… after the very kind and caring vet recommended letting her go… of course, every condition is different and it may be that you will need to let go…but animals and conditions vary…I’m thinking of you and hoping the sadness and tears are giving you some occasional “relief” breaks…. isn’t it amazing how deep love goes?…really it’s stunning how deep the heart of love can be…
That’s what happened with Jazz. He had a hyperthyroid condition that could not be treated in a “palatable way” due to the risk of renal failure.
The Vet suggested we make Jazz comfortable for as long as we could . . . that ended up being 8 years. And, for most of them, Jazz was happy and so were we.
At present, Tigger knows we love him. I’m not sure he would continue to be convinced of that love if we were sticking him with needles and dragging him back and forth to the vet.
Sorrow is the price we pay for Joy. 😦
Manual dexterity and good with houseplans? Maybe he can will build me a new house!
This posted before I was finished. I’m sorry Tigger is sick…I know it sucks to have a sick pet. I hope your Tigger gets his bounce back and you have many more years of good health and happiness together.
Thanks, Suzi. We don’t know what to do. I can’t imagine giving him two shots a day, plus ear pricks to check glucose readings in between twice-daily insulin injections.
I lost it in the Vet’s office ~ I couldn’t stop crying. Still can’t.
Doesn’t sound good Nancy – I hope things will improve for you all. Tigger sounds a real character. You’ll have pain which ever way you jump on this one 😦 Thoughts with you all.
Thanks, Martin. That’s just it . . . when we envision walking down one path with Tigger, we bump into a “wall of pain” stretching into the future. So, we turn around and envision trying a different path . . . but find the same “wall of pain” waiting.
We’re definitely between a rock and a hard place. 😦
We who keep Budgies are fortunate – usually they’re here one evening and not there in the morning. It’s like clicking your fingers. Here today – gone tomorrow. It hurts (I’m usually inconsolable for a couple of days) but there’s none of the pre-death suffering for either of us.
If Tigger is not in pain I’d just let it ride and see what happens. Nature doesn’t always follow doctors orders!
Thanks, Martin. That helps. No matter how long Tigger is with us . . . it’s going to hurt when he leaves our lives.
So, we’re just trying to decide what HE would choose if the choice was HIS to make.
You will find the strength….he is far too much of a character to let go.
It compounds the issue that I just read A Dog’s Purpose.
Maybe if we let him go, he’ll get to start over and be a young curious kitten once again . . . splashing in someone else’s bathtub. Oh, how I wish I could see beyond death’s door.
I so enjoyed reading about Tigger and how unusual he is that he likes water, a unique cat for sure! And I confess my eyes got wet when I read about his future being uncertain. 😦 Sniff.
I keep thinking that I’ve cried the last of my tears . . . and then the waterfall begins anew.
We want to make the BEST decision for Tigger . . . and none of the choices seem particularly palatable.
I’m so sorry to hear about Tigger.
Take care ♥♥♥
Thanks, Tok. It’s been a hard day on the planet.
Jake has been a diabetic cat for 4 years now. He gets 2 shots a day and I check his glucose twice a week (usually). Seriously, he doesn’t mind the shots at all. He is usually eating when I give them. Testing him myself eliminated vet visits every 3 months. After you learn how to do it, it’s easy. I can test him in less than 30 second and he often doesn’t even open his eyes. It took a couple tries to get him on the right insulin. We use Lantus which is a people insulin. It works far better than the original one the vet tried that was made for cats. This is the second cat I have had with diabetes and Magic lived with it for 5 years. Jake is doing so much better — no urinary track infections, no peripheral neuropathy. Lantus doesn’t fluctuate wildly so it’s easier to manage. I know it sounds overwhelming but it really isn’t. It isn’t an easy decision either. If you decide to try to medicate, let me know. I can give you some links to great websites and chatrooms.
Thanks, Kate. Do you avoid giving Jake between meal treats? Tigger loves his snacks ~ it’s the highlight of his day. We toss them and he catches (and eats) them. Or we shoot them across the floor and he races after them and pounces.
If we toss toy mice, plastic rings, bouncing balls, etc., he just looks at us as if we’ve lost our minds:
What do you want me to do with that? That’s not FOOD.
He only wants to play if there is food involved.
The Vet wants us to limit Tigger to 2 meals a day, timed with the shots. We’re not sure whether Tigger would feel life was worth living without treats to break up the monotony.
Jake doesn’t always finish his wet food at meal time so he usually finishes it an hour or two later. Dry food is bad for diabetic cats because of the high carbs but Jake really likes dry food. We have some high end low carb dry food that I will give him sometimes between meals if he is howling at his dish. It hasn’t overly affected the diabetes but we don’t keep dishes of it out either. It’s Purina DM. You can give him that as a snack. It must be tasty because all three cats love it.
Jake had gone through about 6 months where his blood sugar was normal on its own but it went back into the diabetic range again after that.
Thanks, Kate. It must have been hard when Jake went into remission and then relapsed again. I’m glad that you and he are managing so well now.
After reading up on diet for diabetic cats, we switched Tigger to a high protein, low carb wet food diet 3 weeks ago. Two weeks ago, we started giving him EVO (high protein, low carb) dry food on an occasional basis ~ a few pieces a day.
He’s been reasonably happy with the changes. But, today, we got out his Pounce treats (first time in 3 weeks). He was ecstatic as soon as the bag appeared on the horizon. Food is his FAVORITE thing.
We believe we are closer to figuring out the choice that Tigger would make if HE could make the choice. Going to the Vet yesterday really stressed him out. He spent most of today moping around . . . untill we offered him treats.
I don’t think we are going to start him on insulin ~ there would be too many Vet visits . . . and not enough treats.
We will monitor his weight. He’s only lost 0.2 pounds in the past 2 weeks ~ that seems rather insignificant.
Here we go, Nancy. I’ve been grieving over Duc’s newly diagnosed condition – hyperthyroid. It’s still early so there’s no decision at this point. Nevertheless, I am steeling myself.
An average test result for his size is 18 or 19. He was 183!!
The glaring symptoms happened while I was away so when I brought him home from his fabulous sitter, I thought he was just going through an adjustment.
After three days on the meds, he’s not doing well today. Then – due to his compromised condition, his anal glands infected, plugged and was giving him great agony.
So Duc is getting liquid antibiotics in the a.m. and thyroid meds in the p.m. He’s mad at me. I told him that we’ve got a lifetime of 2 pills a day so he has to get used to it.
He told me to buggar off and has headed out to his long-grass cave. I can see two golden eyes through the tall greenery. I’ll ask forgiveness with yogurt which, thank God, he loves. Good to counter balance the danged antibiotics.
How could I stand having to say goodbye?
My heart’s with you, big time, Nance.
Aww, Amy. Poor you. Poor Duc le Chat. It’s heart-breaking when our pets are sick and don’t understand why their favorite routines have changed.
Our last male cat, Jazz, had a hyperthyroid condition that could not be treated in a “palatable way” due to the risk of renal failure. The Vet suggested we make Jazz comfortable for as long as we could . . . that ended up being 8 years.
For most of them, Jazz was happy and so were we.
Jazz could not eat cat food without throwing up. I cooked him chicken or turkey, freezing it in small portions. We fed him small amounts every few hours round the clock. For 8 years. And when he threw up (usually three or four times a week), we cleaned up after him.
And then fed him again to keep his weight up.
We’re not sure we want to sign up for another 8-10 year stint of round-the-clock cat care . . . especially when it means depriving Tigger of what he loves best in life ~ his cat treats.
So the tears flow as we evaluate the pros and cons . . . and consider what Tigger would choose if the choice was HIS to make.
Good luck to you and Duc.
I wondered about those 8 years when I read your post. Hmmmm. That was a tremendous commitment, Nancy. My life means having to be away overnight for some off-island trips due to ferry travel. I don’t know what is going to come down. This is the first time I’ve had a pet with a serious condition that needs special care.
I’ve already received notice from my two cat sitters that they “don’t do pills”.
I’ll see how things go. I know I couldn’t expect the little guy to endure endless car trips just so I can give him the required meds!
The best of the best to BFF, Tigger and you.
Once Jazz got sick, we couldn’t leave him in anyone else’s care. He went where we went . . . or we didn’t go at all.
We don’t regret the decision we made for him. And we will live with whatever decision we make for Tigger.
That’s life, isn’t it? Living with the consequences of the choices we make. Even the terribly sad choices.
There’s just nothing to say except Tigger is obviously a special cat who has graced your lives. There isn’t anything easy about what you are facing and I’m sorry. These little creatures do crawl into our hearts, and I can see that Tigger has also been a great source of amusement, too. Hugs to all three of you! Debra
Tigger is our little buddy ~ he has warmed our hearts for the past 8 years. Three weeks ago, we cut out ALL his cat treats and switched his food to a higher protein, lower carb food to see if his glucose readings would improve. They haven’t improved. His three readings have been: 379 ~ 321 ~ 340.
So, do we give him back his treats since the diet isn’t helping anyway? We did today.
Tigger was so excited to see the bag appear on the horizon. It’s the happiest he’s seemed in weeks. One might argue that it is “kinder” to withhold the treats. I might disagree.
For Tigger, he might prefer a shorter (and sweeter) life over longevity attained through forced austerity.
I have had to make the decisions you are faced with twice in a year and a half. Henry who was 16 had renal failure and Dolly who was 19 had a stroke. It was so difficult to say good-by but I knew it was the right thing. I cried so hard–sometimes I still get teary.
Tigger is certainly a wonderful fun cat and very beautiful. Just love him and enjoy him and he will let you know when he needs to be on his way.
Thanks, Patricia. We’ve gone back and forth today on the “what should we do” decision presented to us. None of the choices seem palatable.
Taking Tigger to the Vet yesterday caused him to shy away from us today. Several times when I wanted to pet him, he ran and hid under the bed, afraid that we were going to load him into the car again.
We don’t want him to fear us on a daily basis, or wonder why the life he loved has disappeared from view. We’ll take it one day at a time . . . and hope that he doesn’t get too sick too fast.
Maybe if we’re terribly lucky . . . his body will fix what is broken.
I didn’t realize that Henry and Dolly had both died the same year. How sad for you.
Jazz and Cayenne did the same ~ Jazz at 17 and Cayenne at 18. I still cry when I think about saying good-bye to them.
I was hoping that Tigger was going to improve but the signs are not good for him. My heart goes out to you Nancy, not knowing which path to take – there is pain involved in whichever course you choose for him. You have his best interests at heart and he knows he is much loved – just take one day at a time and deal with that – tomorrow will be here soon enough. Hugs to you and dear Tigger.
Thanks, Barb. Tigger seems happier this morning . . . and it’s probably because we are happier this morning.
When we “accept the what is,” we avoid creating unnecessary suffering for ourselves and those around us.
So we will strive to be at peace with whatever happens.
I enjoyed reading about Tigger’s unique qualities (he’s such a pretty kitty, but the way – love his eyes especially.) My cats are infatuated with the printer and like to lay on whatever I’m reading. I guess it’s in their nature!
I am sorry to hear that the news about Tigger isn’t wonderful. We’ve had to make the choice and there’s tons of second-guessing and worrying whether the path you chose is the ‘right’ one. Good luck as you figure out what Tigger wants.
We’re both leaning against giving him shots. Maybe he’ll be able to re-balance things on his own without outside interference. Maybe he won’t. But either way, we think he’ll be happier without daily shots and check ups at the Vet.
We’ll keep him on the high protein low carb canned food diet . . . with some EVO high protein dry food sprinkled on top. With love.
So sad. I hope Tigger’s future becomes a lot more certain. Decisions like this are immensely difficult. Our pets become so much part of us. Strength to you.
Yesterday, we were SO STRESSED by this decision . . . which caused Tigger to be more stressed. Stress is a blood sugar elevator. We realized that we were making him “sicker” just by worrying about him being sick.
Today, we’re at peace . . . and so is Tigger. Maybe his body will be able to heal itself.
Nancy I am so sorry Tigger’s blood glucose did not go down with the change in diet. Is it possible Tigger just needs to be on the diet a little longer to judge the numbers. I was shocked and totally overwhelmed to find that our Z had asthma, she was only 8. It sucked too. I came by last night around 5 and read this and I just needed to think. My heart is broken for all three of you. Tigger is a handsome boy with an expressive face. I wouldn’t think of removing that box of Entenmann’s donuts out from under him.
All three of you are in our thoughts Nancy.
Thanks, Pix. If Tigger was a bit older (and more complacent about Vet visits), I expect we would give the insulin a shot. But he’s not older or complacent. M~E~O~W!!!
If Tigger’s diet caused the hyperglycemia, then changing his diet may help to reverse it . . . even if it takes some time. In the meantime, we’ll take it a day at a time. We’ll be patient with our patient.
Right now, he’s out on the back deck, happliy perusing the birds.
🙂 Tigger is in good hands. I understand about the visits to the vet. Z didn’t just hate them, she panted the whole time and couldn’t breathe. Not worth subjecting her to that misery. When it came down to having to sedate her and me to get to the vet I said enough is enough!
That’s how Tigger is at the Vet, Pix . . . so scared and frightened that I’m sure his blood glucose readings are HIGHER than they are when he’s at home and relaxed.
If Tigger was a young man about to embark on a lifetime of adventure and discovery, we’d do everything we could to prolong his life. But he’s not.
He’s a cat. Who is happiest at home, not shuttling back and forth to the Vet. And he may surprise us all by rebounding without getting two shots a day.
Paws are crossed. 🙂
So sorry! But you’re right – he’s a cat. Part of loving a pet means remembering that it’s a pet, not a person. Sometimes priorities have to be different with a pet. I’ve had to remember that myself with pets.
Thanks, Grandawn. That’s a big part of the equation for us. Tigger has no ties to the future. He has no expectations about what lies down the road. He lives in the NOW. He doesn’t know what he “should” feel like at this point in his life. He may not even remember that he ever felt any different.
What he does know is that he likes being home with us . . . and dislikes going to the Vet to have blood drawn and urine tested.
We’ve seen different estimates, but a 7-8 year old cat is the equivalent of a 45-55 year old person. Not old. But not a Spring Chicken either. By any measure (health, happiness, love, companionship, adventures, etc.), Tigger has had a FABULOUS life. Much better than the “average cat.”
I’m so sorry Tigger is sick. Whatever decision you make, he’s had a great life and knows you love him!
Thanks, Victoria. We will continue to hope that Tigger rebounds on his own . . . bolstered by love and affection from us.
He sounds wonderful, and very different. Between you you wil,decide on what is best for all. I’m dealing with Koda suddenly very aged, and somewhat in pain. One day the decision time will come too.
So sorry to hear about your parents.
Thanks, Sidey. It’s been a tough week for us . . . all the way around. We were in the middle of talking about Tigger when we got the news about my parents. When it rains, it pours. Going out tonight helped us both regain a bit of much needed perspective.
I hope that you and Koda enjoy your remaining time together. It is NEVER easy to say good-bye to our beloved pets. They are such a wonderful part of our lives.
I love that you keep asking what would Tigger want if the decision was his to make. Your love for him shines through so powerfully. You will know the best decision in time. sending you a hug for comfort and a treat for Tigger.
Thanks, Joss. Tigger had a wonderful day today. He even chased and caught a lizard (and they are super fast) ~ we didn’t let him keep it, but he was still proud of himself. 😀
He gets very confused and upset every time we take him to the Vet. He wonders what he has done “wrong.” We’re pretty sure that he would opt for a shorter sweeter life with fewer Vet visits. And we hold out hope that his body will heal itself. With love.
It does, Nancy – he is a beautiful cat and sounds like a real character. You are weathering a perfect storm at the moment. Strength to you and BFF xx
Yes. Exactly right ~ the perfect storm. We have enjoyed all thes wonderful comments from our cyber friends. Makes us feel like we will be able to “weather this storm” without sinking!
Oh yes do hold all hope that his body will heal itself. I hate to hear such sad news.Tigger sounds like quite the good friend and it does sound as if he had spent some time when young with raccoons. Sending positive vibes for Tigger and hugs for you.
This morning, Tigger hopped in (and out) of the laundry basket as easy as you please. It didn’t look as if his cells were “starved of energy” from the lack of insulin. Maybe he will rebound.
I must keep reminding myself that “worry is interest paid on a debt we may not owe.”
Thanks for the positive vibes! Happy Mother’s Day, Linda.
I am so sorry…
Thanks, PiP. He may surprise the lot of us. Our bodies have amazing powers to heal themselves . . . cats especially.
Paws crossed.
He is an unusual cat, so an unusual recovery may not be off the cards!
Oh Tigger! My heart goes out to him as he reminds me in many ways of Tangy… My prayers and blessings go out to him. Sending him healing light and love. Thanks for the update and I love the pictures. 🙂
Thanks, E! He seems pretty perky at the moment. Maybe his body is starting to heal itself. Paws crossed. Thanks for sending that light and love his way.
🙂
Sorry to hear about Tigger. I’ve had to love and care for sick animals many times now, and I now how draining that can be. For some reason, I feel guided to tell you that my first cat, Charlie got sick when he was 5 years old and was diagnosed with a fatal disease FIP. He was failing fast, and decided to take him home from the vet and prayed and cried and prayed some more. He amazingly recovered and lived another nine years, with no symptoms of FIP. In his last year, (i moved from NY to Chicago) I had a vet who didn’t believe my cat ever could have had FIP — there were no traces of that disease in his system. That kind of result doesn’t happen all the time, but you never know. Miracles do happen, and I hope your Tigger finds that kind of healing now!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to share Charlie’s miracle with me, Karen. Miracles do happen. Medicine is as much “art” as “science.” Love works wonders.
Since the vet visit last Thursday, Tigger has refused to go for his daily walks outside. I expect he’s afraid we’ll scoop him up and take him back to the vet. He’ll go out on the back deck, but will NOT go out the front door on his leash. So, for now, we’re keeping him home and trying to regain his trust.
Your Tigger stories and pics brought back some funny memories of my own family’s cats. Elliot, who used to hop up and sleep next to the speakers of my gigantic boombox while I was blasting hard rock… Leon, who would lick your face like a dog (ouch!)… Head, my brother’s cat whose head was so oversized that he used to fall down the steps from being top heavy… I could go on.
Tell Tigger I said “Thanks for bringing me back.”
I love those stories, Eric . . . your brother’s cat must have wished for a ranch style house after toppling “heavy head over heels” down the stairs a few times.
Cats rock! Especially Elliot.
Oops, sorry about the typo or two. I’m trying to work and post at the same time.
I think I’ve edited them out . . . but no guarantees. I’m asleep on my seat.
Oh, no…
this is really not what I was hoping to hear, Nancy. When you first mentioned something was amiss with Tigger I had my fingers crossed that it would be a much simpler fix and that he’d be back up and running in no time. I’m very, very sorry his situation is so complex… I’ll definitely keep sending good thoughts his/your way, though…
so sad…
The good news . . . Tigger GAINED 0.2 lbs. since the vet visit last Thursday. Yay!
Thanks for sending positive energy his way.
Oh Nancy – reading the posts out of order and I came across this one. Now I know why you were juggling balls on Sunday.
I don’t think there is anything at all that I could add to the many wishes contained in all the other comments, except to say our pets are like family members. Whatever happens, disturbs or upsets them affect us too. Keep well and you will make the right decisions re Tigger. 🙂
Since the vet visit on Thursday, Tigger has refused to go for his daily walks outside. I expect he’s afraid we’ll scoop him up and take him back to the vet. He’ll go out on the back deck, but will NOT go out the front door on his leash. So, for now, we’re keeping him home and trying to regain his trust.
He has GAINED a little weight back . . . and is still catching lizards . . . so we have HOPE that his body will heal itself with an improved diet, time, and lots of LOVE.
Poor Tigger, he’s keeping you quite busy. Are you going to try the insulin shots?
Funny about being raised by raccoons. Either that, or he was a raccoon in his previous life. I had an old cat who could have cared less about the vacuum cleaner too. You could push him with it turned on and he wouldn’t move if he liked his spot…
Ooh . . . I like that idea. Tigger reincarnated as a cat AFTER being a coon!
We trained Tigger to walk on a leash as a kitten. For most of his life, he’s gone out 2-3 times a day on a leash. The vet visit on Thursday is the last time he’s let us put on the leash. He won’t go out the front door for fear that we’ll toss him into the car and go back to the vet. So, we are not going to try insulin shots. Too many vet visits. Too much stress.
I hear you. This poor little guy doesn’t need more stress. But getting old and sick is never fun.
What would life be like if we could hang on to our youth just a little longer? Would we make better use of our time . . . or take it for granted?
We cannot put off living until we are ready. The most salient characteristic of life is its urgency, “here and now” without any possible postponement. Life is fired at us point-blank. ~ Jose Ortega y Gasset
oh Nancy, i was sorry to hear that the glucose levels have not gotten better. this is a tough one. there are so many things to weigh. the best advice i can give is to do what you think is best for Tigger and for you – and don’t allow guilt or pressure or others’ expectations to add to the grief and the sorrow you are going through as you process all of this.
and whatever you decide, know that you have my vote. *hugs*
Thanks, Kris. Tigger is holding his own . . . we’re hoping he’ll regain his equilibrium without vet visits and shots. Our bodies are capable of amazing recoveries given time and love.
Oh no. This must be terribly difficult for you. I hope you can find a good option to take care of Tigger.
Thanks, Christine. For now, we’re keeping him well-hydrated while feeding him high protein, low carb food and giving him lots of love. His energy level is good ~ he went for a walk this morning and caught a couple lizards this week.
It took almost a week before BFF could put the leash on him for a walk ~ he was afraid we’d take him back to the vet.
Awww. I was going to suggest the high protein/low carb. Maybe that will help.
Thanks, Christine. He seems to enjoy the new diet . . . most of the time. He does miss his Temptations treats ~ that are as addictive for cats as potato chips are for people (like me).
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