Happy 2-Year Gotcha Day to Bear!

 

The picture above is Bear on the first day I got him.  I am so glad I took him in and made him part of our family.  He is a great companion, pretty much following me everywhere and laying on my lap when I read or watch TV.  I never once regretted getting him!  I am pleased to report that he and I have adjusted to our new routine to handle his Diabetes.  He is now eating all his new food within 1/2 an hour (or even less) and he lays nice for me to give him his Insulin.  He doesn't try to hide or run away when I pull out the needle and the bottle.  I am amazed at how cooperative he is.  I will go play pickleball this morning, but then will spend the rest of the day with Bear to celebrate his second gotcha day.  Unfortunately, he can't have treats extra food and is not big on toys so just being together is the best gift I can give him.  He is now 6 years old.

Now sooner had I finished writing this about how good a cat he is, I went upstairs and found a big hole in his window screen.  Must have tried to get at a bird or squirrel.  UGH!  Got it patched up right away with old reliable duck tape.  Never fear, I still love you, Bear!

Bear is Eating but . . .

 

Well, I've got Bear on a schedule for eating and his Insulin but it requires me changing my normal routines.  In order to still feed him after my shower and my early pill, I need to get up 15 minutes earlier at 4:45 now.  Furthermore, to keep him on schedule so I can give him Insulin at 6:05 - 6:10, I need to watch him eat and cheer him on.  If I leave him to eat alone, he loses focus.  If I leave him to eat while I get dressed, pretty soon he's downstairs with me! 

 So, this morning I decided to just wait until he's all done eating to get dressed and pray and read my Bible as I hold up his dish for him and cheer him on.  The Insulin should be given every 12 hours so if I want to go anywhere in the evening, I need to be done giving him the Insulin early enough for me to leave to get there on time.  If left on his own, it takes him about an hour or more to eat but if I stay with him and cheer him on, he gets done in less time.  The good thing is he even ate most of his dinner yesterday without the appetite stimulant pill and finished all his breakfast this morning!  With the appetite stimulant pill, there were days he finished in just 30-43 minutes, but the vet says as long as he's eating (regardless of how long it takes), I shouldn't give him the pill.  If he should stop eating or starts just picking at his food, then I need to give it to him.    

I miss the evening walk with my dog though because I need to make sure Bear eats within the timeframe for the insulin.  I guess the nights I don't go anywhere, we could walk the dog later after the insulin is given.  Otherwise, my husband will be walking the dog without me until I can get Bear to eat on his own.  Don't know if that is going to happen.  I sure hope it does!  He has come a long way eating only the right food and only two flavors.  It sure would make things easier if he'd eat without me watching!

The Cookie Jar Burglar

(re-enacted later in the day)

Our cat, Bear, likes to walk around on our dining room table.  But  I was amazed when I got up this morning and saw the cookie jar open and a cookie lying on the table!  I knew it had to be Bear, but was surprised he actually was able to get the head off the cookie jar! 

 

I don't know if he actually ate any of the cookies.  I certainly hope not!  My first thought was to throw it away, but then I decided to just break off all the edges and go head and eat my oatmeal raisin cookie.  

I knew he often would hang out by the cookie jar but never pushed the head off during the day.  It's pretty heavy so I didn't think he could do it.  I think it must have been a bit ajar, at least I hope it was!

He has also learned to open the vertical blinds by pawing at the hanging cords on the side of the window.  Bear is one big smart cat!

Where Are You, Bear?

It was very strange that my cat, Bear, did not come on our bed during the night, nor early in the morning.  He usually does.  He didn't even come in the bathroom with me during my shower!  I looked all over for him, worried he was sick or something and hiding.  Last night, the last I saw him, he was lying by my feet while I watched TV.  After checking all his usual places, I opened the den door and out he ran straight for his litter box.  It took me a while, but then I realized I came up last night right before bed to close the little window in the bathroom off the den.  He must have came up and followed me in there without my noticing.  (I always close off the den so our dog doesn't go potty in there which happened a few times.)  I was so relieved and happy to see Bear was okay, but felt really bad that he was stuck in the den all night away from us.  I pet him up and played with him to make up for it and all is forgiven.  He even joined me again in the den this morning!  

Feline Friday--Watch a Video of Life With Bear

Below is a video Bear and I made together about a year ago to show what his life is now like after being sprung from the shelter.

So, what do you think about Bear's life now?  Please leave your comment below.  Bear is eager to see them!

Click this link to visit my YouTube channel. 

Joining in Feline Friday sponsored by Messymimi's meanderings.

Thankful Thursday: Fresh Air

I am thankful the windows are open today so I can enjoy some fresh air.  I like being an indoor only cat, but like the feel of breeze on my fur and watching birds and squirrels.   Visit Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Welcome Bear, Our Newest Family Addition--Happy 1st Gotcha Day!

This post is really late because we got our new cat a year ago--June 6, 2022.  I was not in blogging mode at the time and considering stopping blogging altogether but now have decided to continue doing it.

I really missed having a cat after our Spunky Doodle died September of 2021 and couldn't stand it any longer so went to the Parma Animal Shelter to see what was available.  Lo and behold, a tabby that looked just like our Manny Boy named Bear because he's a big boy!  He was so friendly and even came on my lap at the shelter.  They let us have him for a trial period, but after two days, I was all in.  

He is so affectionate and likes to play pounce games and chase the string on a stick.  He comes on my lap to watch TV and read with me.  He generally prefers to sleep on his cat tree or a chair but comes on the bed in the early morning hours to lay with me until it's time to get up.  Bear is an awesome, affectionate cat that I love very much.  I'm so glad I got him!

If you have a hole in your heart from losing a pet, I suggest getting another.  It's the only thing that helped me.  We know our pets don't live forever, but it's extremely hard to say goodbye to them and not miss them terribly.  There are plenty of animals in need of a loving home.  Just go check at a shelter near you and see what's available.  One might actually adopt you!  

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