? Can't board c at- Turn down job?

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dman777

Member Since 2015
I haven't had a job in 6 months and finally had a job offer. However, it requires that I travel to California Monday-Thursday for 4 weeks.

I have a 18 year old diabetic cat. I'm worried that boarding would be dangerous for him because:

1) He can not take hunger stimulants medicines.
2) He tends not eat when in captivity/boarding
3) He has to have the wet food to keep is diabetes manageable
4) His diabetes will flux if he doesn't eat

I can't hire a pet sitter because he is a snacker and he has to be once every few hours the wet food. Otherwise, the wet food goes bad after 3 hours(DM diet Purina).

The only other job I can get will be 50% less pay and on graveyard. Am I crazy to turn down the job? I don't see a way around this.
 
Hi, I really do sympathise.
We need to look after our kitties, but we do also need to live our own lives...
I'm also wondering whether it's possible to get a house-sitter? ...I don't know what the situation is in the US with regard to colleges/universities, but here in the UK it's summer break and there are lots of students with time on their hands. Is it the same in the US...?

Really hoping you find a solution that enables you to take that job, and to feel comfortable doing so. :bighug:

Eliz
 
Woodsywife said:
Depending on how far you have travel, maybe renting an RV and taking him with you is an option.
Click to expand...
wow , interesting suggestion

OP, are you flying or driving to your destination for this job? are you staying in a hotel or renting a condo? It might be possible to find a place that allows small animals! This is our plan for next years summer vacation... renting a place that allows small animals and taking my diabetic cat with us.
 
Don't know anything about you, your cat, just your life in general, but this is my 2 cents. 18 is pretty old for a cat. Try to "step back" and evaluate you and your cat's quality of life. How many more years are you expecting to have with your kitty? How important is getting this job to you? Sounds like it's a better option than the lower pay/graveyard one.

Boarding, pet sitters, your absence in general...or any traveling with your kitty, will likely cause stress for your kitty and for you, possibly resulting in more health issues.

I'm sure you love your kitty, as we all do our own...but I'm sure you also know that there are times in life that you have to cut your losses.
 
Am I reading your post correctly - this travel is for 4 weeks? Will there be more regular travel after that? I think if this was me, I would try it and see how it works out. A timed feeder that keeps the food cold. A daily pet-sitter (vet tech, neighbor, family) who stops twice a day. You don't say if your cat on insulin. If he is diet controlled, that makes it easier.

Fluffy Face, I'm not sure I like the term "cut your losses", but the rest of the post is mostly spot on. We get VERY attached to our diabetics. Our lives can wind up revolving around them. But you have a life, too. You need a job, and one that pays the bills and maybe provides for advancement. Travel is one the biggest problems we feline diabetic caretakers have. Sometimes you just have to do it.

I see you don't like the phrase, "every cat it different". But each person is different, too. Only you can make this decision.
 
I figured some part of my post would not come off well, and I understand. Good point though...if the travel is only for 4 weeks, might be a good idea to entertain those options people have presented.
 
I really feel for you. This is a very difficult situation. I tend to favour the idea put forward by BJ and Elizabeth, ie look into the possibility of finding a live-in sitter. Or failing that, hiring a vet nurse to come in as often as possible.
I know that no possibility is ideal. Maybe the bottom line is how much you really need the job and what the likelihood is of others coming up that would suit you better geographically...?

I hope it works out for you.

Diana
 
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