Math update...

I was reading old blog posts and I realized I needed to recalculate 21 years of cat pee.
Quickly doing the math, 21 years of cat pee is about 265 gallons.
A four person hot tub holds about 250 gallons.

Um.... gross.

And we are still ticking....

I am always amazed by Boogar's resiliancy. Here he is, 21, diabetic, paralyzed, three legged cancer cat..... and he's asleep three feet away enjoying a fan, his friend Leaf, food and pets.
He's really ok with life.
He calls when he wants up, or pets...or food, water, the brush, a different blanket, meat cheetos (dehydrated liver) or catnip. He has servants...mostly everyone that comes by.

I wrote this because in the 20 years I've been talking to people around the world with spinal cord injured cats the one question that keeps coming back is "Can I do This?" Owners around the world voice that question, struggle with overwhelm, stare at their checkbook and vet bills, look at their hands and wonder how in the world can they learn to squeeze pee out of a cat.

For all of you in the past, to all of you in the future here us my answer. Most of the time yes, you can. Those times you can not, ask for help. Vets and vet nurses generally want to teach you to take care of your pet. Most of them will help you learn.
It gets easier. You find the "damn bladder" and wow, your cat just peed down your arm, and you get it.

It's always ok to say no, and to stop. Sometimes this means surrendering your pet. Sometimes it means ending their life kindly. Irs ok. You are important, and your comfort is important too.

I'm still here after 21 years. So is Boogar. I still answer emails.

Peace
Kadeth

Valentine's Day, 2017

Thank you all for the years of questions, support and hellos to Boogar.
It's almost time.
Boogar is almost 21.
Two months ago he turned diabetic, and although he is doing well on insulin there are things changing that tell me it is almost time.

It is almost unbearable to contemplate loosing him, more so being the actual hands that give him release.

I promised him I would be the person who was with him in his last moments, and should he need help going, I would be the one to give the drugs. This is one of the hard things I do, to honor this promise of being responsible for each of my cats exit.
So there is no fear, no pain, no trip to the vet. Just their bed, their friends and me, the strange dark warrior angel with steady hands and the euthanasia drugs.

When I chose to take Boogar more than 20 years ago I promised the cat gods that when Boogar died I would leave the veterinary field. It's interesting, I am less than a year from completing my degree as a therapist. Coincidence? Or the pattern behind life.
I'm not working right now. I had my shoulder reconstructed, 40 years of dog wrestling, working understaffed and such left me needing 4 screws to hold it together.
The pattern again.

So I am thanking the cat gods. Thank you for 21 years. Thank you for the strength to never falter, never fail. Thank you for the strength in my hands to express Boogars bladder every day, every night. Thank you for the courage. For the love. For the friends all around the world we have made.

Boogar is receiving visitors on weekends by prior arrangement, for pets, food and love. He doesn't hurt, he's just doing what each of us must do, preparing to die.

Those of you who will need me in the future, I will still answer medical questions and help you take care of or make the best choices you can for your cats.

Light a candle for Boogar. I hope Pumpkin is waiting for him, and in the next life he is whole, strong, happy and loved for 20 more years.

Peace

Kadeth, with Boogar one last time.