Hi Kris, and, of course, you too, sweet Grizzly -- love that name!!!
Where in WI are you? No specifics, just give us a town. We have sugar-cat friendly people there who might be close enough to show the home testing ropes...
Giz wouldn't even be in the same room with W/D. She did like DM however. Ironically, it was the only cat food, she actually ate. Go figure... Initially it was canned and dry DM. Soon, sadly, her tastes changed and she'd only eat DM dry (got 1/4 cup twice a day). I basically subsidized with everything and anything in my fridge and/or pantry. Then I broke out my George Foreman grill (a Christmas gift from my sister 1-1/2 years before) and started grilling chicken, steak (whatever was on sale), and pork chops (she preferred boneless center cut...). Grilling might be one way to go for both Grizzly and Kitty. Meat is high quality protein which Kitty needs and very low carb which Grizzly needs. I know money's tight. Work the sales... Properly cooked and stored, one chicken breast, a small piece of steak, and a pork chop can last about 5 days per cat. Unless, of course, you decide to sample any or all because you realize your cat is eating better than you are... Then, figure 4 days...
I free-fed Giz then, and Nikki now, by the way. A grazer's a grazer, after all... It's also a peace of mind thing for me. I like knowing food is available when I'm not home...
Can you tell I was a train wreck when Giz was diagnosed? Actually took her used syringes into the kitchen and practiced shooting air into a hot pad that bore a remarkable resemblance to her scruff when tented... Took about two weeks to stop shaking and realize I had developed a very swift, smooth, and confident delivery.
Speaking of shooting insulin -- and, how's that for a segue?! Please ditch the Glip. It's truly not good for a sugar cat in the long or even short run. Think Lantus, Levemir, or PZI/ProZinc in terms of insulin. I know that money is tight for you, Kris. For me, too... There are groups around who may be able to help you with both insulin and supplies. For insulin, you'll need a prescription. DCIN (look for one of their posts here) and IMOM.org if you qualify. Nikki is DCIN sponsored, for which I'm eternally grateful... I can't pay them back with money yet, so I donate my design skills. Helps me deal with needing help... Without their support, I couldn't keep Nikki who is a wondrous, albeit quirky sugar cat, who decided to rescue me a little over three years ago. Nikki and I have discovered a shared fondness for quirky... Also check the Supply Closet forum here as supplies sometimes become available for either free or the cost of shipping. Please, ditch the Glip.
Ravensrapture said:
I have no idea how to post pictures so I can put grizzly and kitty on here for you to see but would love to show them off.
The simplest way would be to hit the "Upload attachment" thingy kind of to the left and under the "Save draft", "Preview", and "Submit" buttons. You'll have to browse your computer to find the photos we all want to see. If you want an avatar, just PM me (click that little button under Nikki's pic on the right side) and send me a photo. I have Photoshop and can resize/crop for you and send it back. Then, you'll have to do that whole upload/browse deal somewhere in your user profile. We'll figure it out...
The FDMB was my first message board experience, Kris. I'm beyond shocked they still let me post. Maybe it's because of Giz, who became a bit of a legend here. Maybe it's because we danced for four years. Maybe it's because this stupid spider showed up in my bathroom three days straight and I named it Charlotte -- which was the moment I realized I was ready to love again -- and, Giz, with her ultimate sense of irony and humor, sent Nikki to rescue me. Well, at least Nikki eats canned cat food!
I'd like to think they still let me post because it allows me to pay it forward. It is most interesting and rewarding dancing with a sugar cat...
Welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found. Trust me.
Love and countless encouraging hugs for you, Grizzly (!), and Kitty,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...