Cat Duty

Okay, we all have our crosses to bear and I don't want the next guy's troubles. But we all need time to piss and moan occasionally.

Yoshiko and I have been stuck into a routine of caring for our three cats 24/7 for more than three years. Frankly I am surprised it hasn't driven either of us over the edge... yet. It used to be we were able to hire a catsitter to look after the cats while we traveled. It used to be the cats were fed when we arrived home. These luxuries in our lives ended more than three years ago.

Bice has Cushing's Disease and requires saline injections and insulin twice daily. And the insulin injections are very time specific: 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, plus or minus one hour. You can see how this cuts into our mornings (no sleep-in's!) and the chances to enjoy an evening out.

Another cat Woody has been very noctural and needs feedings every 2-3 hours at night. He howls incessantly at night until he is fed. Yoshiko and I share the night duty, one of us sleeping in the living room and waking up to fed the little bastard. Yoshiko often takes the early shift and we change around 3 AM. But it is difficult for me to sleep afterward. On nights when she is particularly tired or working the next day, I take the full night shift.

Many people have commented to us they can't believe we continue with this routine. But we don't believe we have a choice. Our cats have lived beyond cats' average lifetimes and we have, as pet owners, a responsibility to do all we can to support their lives and minimize any pain. If you would do this for a family member, you can understand why we do it for our cats.