Ever wondered what really goes on inside that little fuzzy head?  Here's "A Day in the Life of a Sugarcat"...a very special sugarcat journal entry from our friends Susan and Shadow...read on and enjoy!

Greetings from Empress Shadow, the great Moth-Slayer!

I see there are many humans who are wondering what life will be like for their diabetic cats. Here is a typical day in my regal life, along with pointers to help you humans better serve your cats.

 

6:05 am Lazy human is not serving me. Order into action the junior cat, Gussie. Watch approvingly as Gussie rips into the coverlet with her claws, then jumps onto the human's full bladder with all her weight. I taught her both those tricks.

 
6:15 am Human staggers to the kitchen, feeds cats, takes pre-filled syringe from refrigerator and begins warming it in her hands.

 
6:15 am I have eaten enough food to get my shot. Human is tardy in producing the shot and accompanying treat. Meow at her to get her moving.

 
6:16 am Human provides small pieces of treat in my bowl. I am busy finding them, and don't deign to pay any attention to that thing she does with the needle in my back. As a reward for my forbearance, human supplies larger piece of treat.

 
6:17 am Supply urine sample for human to test for ketones. This only takes her a minute. Her duties are now done for the morning. Note to self invent more tasks to keep human busy.

 
6:30 - 10:30 am Doze on hammock in sun. Get up every hour for the laborious task of trudging to the food dish until the food is gone. Note to self human should be serving me snacks on a silver platter-- how to implement?

 
10:30 am Follow sun to window seat. On the way, smack the 65-pound drooler (AKA dog) around a little, to make sure she knows who's boss. When I first got diabetes, my attitude was weak. Now it is back full force!

 
11:00 am Locate human and try to look faint with hunger. This strategy is only for expert sugarcats-- do it just enough, and you may get a little piece of meat. Overdo it, and the human will let a little flea bite your ear so she can test your blood. This time it works. Go back to sleep.

 
2:30 pm I must be adored! Locate human, demand brushing and petting. Purr copiously to reward her devotion. I find the house a little chilly, so I decide to honor the human by sitting in her lap until she loses all feeling in her legs.

 
4:00 pm Stretch, yawn, get up. Human trips on her own foot, which is asleep, and has to crawl to the bathroom, which she urgently needs after providing a lap for me for so long. Good human.

 
5:00 pm Chase a string. Before the human started doing that funny needle thing at mealtime, more than three years ago, I didn't have the energy to play. Now I feel great. I play like a kitten even though I am 14 years old!

 

As you can see, a diabetic cat can live a very nice, contented life. Don't worry, new sugarcats - once you have your human trained on your new routine, you will be just as happy as you ever were. The humans may need a little special comforting at first, but they get used to the new routine pretty quickly.

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