Fk has had some adjustment issues, since Ingrid arrived, but nothing endangering Ingrid… just, pooping next to the oil tank and not in her box, being ferociously hungry, and even — gasp! — losing weight. But, this all started after we brought home the new baby, and as far as the baby is concerned, she’s fine.  A few days ago, though, she started sounding really loud on the stairs. We finally observed her yesterday, and it seemed like she just couldn’t get traction with her hind legs, so I did some googling and internet questioning, and what I found pointed to feline diabetic neuropathy, an effect of diabetes. I called the vet, he called me back, and said that almost certainly, she’s diabetic. We’d tested her in February, and it had come out okay, but the vet said they can slip in and out of it, so she could’ve been out of it when she was tested, but when they get neuropathic, it’s there to stay, and we needed to bring her in. 

Today, we go in at 2:40, and will hopefully get some answers about the financial costs and quality of life issues for the cat. We simply can’t afford an expensive maintenance treatment, and that sucks, but she’s 12, andhas given us (and dave before Us) a lot of good years.  We’re really sad about the possibility of having to make That Decision, and keep joking, darkly, "well, we could wear black pants again… or get a corduroy comforter…."

The thing is, I thought that if she could hang on until we had The Baby, making the euthanasia decision would be easy. Pets aren’t kids! Once you have a kid, your perspective shifts, and the baby cat is now Just a Damn Cat, right? Well, of course we love Ingrid differently, but FK has been so good with Ingrid, and Ingrid has recently discovered the cat, and is fascinated by her. And FK has been so docile with Ingrid; we often hold Ingrid up to her to pet her, because she loves the fur, and she might grab a handful of neck, or a paw, or ear, and FK could care LESS. She just takes it and we release Ingrid’s grip, scratch FK’s ears and everyone’s happy.

If we decide to euthanize, it won’t be today. We’d probably take the weekend or so to love up the cat, and get some pics (okay, totally tearing up even considering it!) and do it next week or so. We likely won’t replace the cat, because of my allergies, because we have a baby and all of that, so it’s just fucking sad. Sad sad sad. I’ll keep you posted.

On a happier note, here’s my most recent video of Ingrid, and that’s my disembodied, slightly stuffed up voice sounding foolish in the background.

LookitIngrid!