Sugar Kitty Wednesday marches on! This week I want to introduce you to my pal Linus. He’s been at my former temporary residence, HART of Maine, since August 28, 2012. Linus is about 9 years old, a white cat with big gray tabby stripes and amazing ocean-blue eyes. He’s a very big boy with super-soft fur and a lovely disposition.
He came into HART’s care because his former guardian couldn’t take care of him and was actually going to have him Put To Sleep! Eek! But the wonderful vet who was overseeing his care asked the person to surrender him to the clinic, and from there he came to HART.
I sure do understand that people get overwhelmed when it comes to taking care of diabetic kitties, and I don’t have any hard feelings about that. Do you, Linus?
Linus: No, I don’t. But I sure do miss living in a home of my own and sleeping on the couch next to a warm person.
Bella: Well, I totally get that, Linus? Did you know that I came to the shelter because my former people almost Put me To Sleep, too? I was a pretty sick kitty at the time, but the people at HART nursed me back to health, just like they’ve done for you?
Linus: I remember first meeting you. You were such a skinny, peakéd-looking thing. How are you doing now?
Bella: Oh, wonderful! I’ve got a snuggle buddy (he’s a gray and white tabby cat like you) and lots of great food, and I don’t have to take insulin any more. How about you?
Linus: Well, I’m still on a very little bit of insulin — one unit of Lantus, once a day — which is a lot better than when I first got here and I was on 4 units, twice a day. Maybe if I were in a forever home, I’d be less stressed and wouldn’t have to be on insulin at all. Good thing, because I hate, hate, HATE getting my insulin shots!
Bella: Does that mean you might do better in a home with a more experienced caretaker who won’t get intimidated by your grumping and swatting?
Linus: Probably. Your mama managed to give me my shot this weekend. She did a little scruffing maneuver and was able to get the needle in. I did give her a swat to show her how much I didn’t love her ministrations, though.
Bella: Oh, Linus! Mama was just trying to help you!
Linus: I know. I just can’t help it! *sniffle* I think maybe if I were in a home and thing were more chill — and my new mama or dad had a quiet confidence about them — I’d do better.
Bella: And speaking of homes — what are you looking for in a forever home?
Linus: Well, I’m a really laid-back and calm cat (they call me sedentary, can you believe it?) and I’d like to live in the same kind of home. I’ve never been around dogs, so I don’t know how I’d get along with them, but maybe if the dog is really mellow, we could do well together. I don’t think I want to live with small kids — they move too fast for me — but older children or an adults-only home would do me just fine.
Bella: And what are you eating these days?
Linus: I only want Fancy Feast flaked fish and shrimp or 9 Lives tuna cat food.
Bella: Do you think someone could convince you to eat different food?
Linus: Um … I could try, I guess.
Bella: Linus, I totally know somebody’s going to fall in love with you. You’re such a sweetheart (well, except for the insulin thing, I suppose) and I remember watching you get so happy and purry when you got brushed or petted.
Linus: Oh yeah, maybe if I lived in a forever home, my person would have lots of time to brush me … oh, *purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr*
Bella: Well, thanks for talking to me, Linus.
If you’re interested in adopting Linus, HART has lots and lots of perks for you: You’ll get $100 worth of Fancy Feast cat food, a year’s supply of insulin, a free blood glucose monitor and testing supplies, and free boarding for Linus at HART if you need to go out of town. Oh, and a free class on how to do glucose tests and give insulin shots. Get in touch with one of HART’s adoption counselors for more information — call 207-829-4116 or e-mail info@hartofme.com. You can download HART’s adoption application here. Do it now! You know you want to. *purrrrrrrrr*
JaneA Kelley is a punk rock cat mom and award-winning blogger. She is a regular columnist for Catster Magazine, and she and the Paws and Effect Gang share a home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
What a handsome mancat!!! It is so sad that people think putting a pet to sleep is a better solution that doing a little work. Linus – we are glad you are safe and we hope you get the home you need soon. :)
Thanks, and many purrs to you, my Random Felines friends. Please feel free to share Linus’s story in case you know someone who might want to bring him home.
Linus sounds like a really cool kitty! I hope he finds a GREAT home soon!
Thanks, Sparkle. I sure hope so, too. I think you’re a pretty awesome cat, and I love the advice you give to cats looking for ways to understand their humans.
I’ve visited Linus several times. What a sweet boy! He definitely would like to be in a home where he can just chill, and keep someone company on the couch or catch some rays in a sunny window. He doesn’t strike me as being shy, he just isn’t the sort of guy to be in your face. I think he probably likes to do things at his own pace, when he is ready. Probably not the best cat for a busy household, but perfect for someone who wants a companion who is calm and steady for the most part, even though he does have his quirks. Even though he has issues with his shots, he LOVES petting and doesn’t seem to mind being brushed. He seemed happy to see me again when I visited yesterday.
Mama thinks he’s a great guy, too. I know he’ll find his wonderful forever home someday. Besides — aren’t those blue eyes AMAZING?
I wish I was around to adopt you dear Linus. You would make a perfect addition to my group of boys. Right now we have two boy cats here.José Findus is 2 1/2 years old, who looks exactly like you, and Mr Black a 5 years old, a black & white Norwegian Forest cat. You look exactly like Jose Findus that you could be his dad. I have never taken care of a diabetic cat but I’d love to learn to take care of you. I do believe that, like humans, you can be nearly cured with a good diet. Unfortunately I live in Norway, Northern Europe, quite far from Maine, and I can’t fly to Maine to bring you here. I wish I could or someone could… I just hope you soon find the love I could have given you… All the luck for you little one.
Dear Linus, This is Max. I had a brudder that I didn’t meat..but he had the diabetes thingy and got insulin shots twice a day. He went to the vet for a blood sugar stick (owie) once a week. After 3 years of this he had enough and went over the Rainbow Bridge but he couldn’t get his sugar under control. I’m sure that won’t happen to you you though. That happens with peoples too .He had other issues, a weight problem and non-related to diabetes he had a stroke and that’s what took him. He was only 7. Wish I could have met him. He was so handsome. Anyway, I’ll pray that you go to a wonderful forever home and that you will continue to improve. Oh. Mommy said she gave Thor his shots at the scruff of his neck and different areas so he wouldn’t get scar tissue She gave him his shots while he was eating and he just kept on eating. Maybe that would work for you.. I wish yo all the best. With kitty love,
Max
Thank you, Max. That’s so sweet. I’m sorry to hear that your brother crossed the Bridge before you had a chance to meet him, but it sure sounds like your people loved him a lot and took great care of him. Purrs!
Awww, purrs to you, Claudia. It’s great just knowing you would want to adopt him if you were closer. Linus and I both say “thank you!”
What an adorable little guy. He looks like a good cat. Unfortunately I’m not experienced at caring for cats with diabetes or I’d totally adopt him. Well, there’s that and the dog we have. He isn’t very fond of cats. We had a kitten for a while, and while our pup didn’t exactly act hostile towards our kitten, they had this weird thing where they couldn’t figure out quite how to share their toys. Interesting that both of them had interest in the others’ toys.. Anyway our friend was glad to take him in. Best of luck to Linus!
Thanks, Jerry. Please feel free to share Linus’s story far and wide. Linus and I both appreciate your good wishes. Purrs!
The lad is quite handsome!