RIP Buddy - the Youtube hometesting cat

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buddy and markp

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Friends, my cat Buddy, featured in the Youtube video "How To Test Your Diabetic Cat's Blood Sugar At Home," died peacefully in my arms yesterday. Buddy lived to be 14 years old, 6 of them as a diabetic.

Buddy had a great life. He was an avid mouser and wonderful companion cat. He was hometested and took two shots of Lantus insulin through many many years of excellent health. Buddy's condition took a downturn this past spring due to a losing battle with Pancreatic Insufficiency (Maldigestion Disorder). He'd been on PanaKare, Metronidazole and the occasional 1/4 tab of Cerenia to help him digest his food. His pancreas finally gave out in the end.

Buddy lived so long as a diabetic because of the wonderful people on this message board. When Buddy was diagnosed I learned EVERYTHING I needed to know here - including how to find a vet willing to work with us. Buddy is smiling upon each and every one of you today for your kindness and generosity. Thank you so much.

I made that Youtube video with Buddy because I was inspired by the knowledge-sharing ethos of this particular online community. The video had over 61,000 hits at the time of Buddy's death. Here's it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8
 
Mark - the thanks goes to you and Buddy!
My cat Gus was just diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. Your video with Buddy is what my husband and I used to figure out home testing. Gus is cooperative, but not nearly as well-behaved as Buddy. He must have been a truly amazing little soul!
 
So sorry to hear about Buddy's problems and his passing. I'll bet he's already chasing my Midora at the rainbow bridge. rb_icon
 
(((((Mark))))

I am so sorry that it was Buddy's time to leave you, but oh what a legency he leaves behind him. Because of you two, I have adopted not one but two diabetic cats that were scheduled to be ethanized. One of which is already in remission and one well on her way there. It is from your video that I learned to test them both at home. My deepest and most heartfelt Thank You! Buddy is truly a legend here and he will live on as long as there is an FDMB and Youtube.

Fly Free Buddy use those beautiful new wings of yours, you have earned them a thousand times over.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette (who are forever thankful of what you have taught us) & The Fur Gang
 
I am so sorry to hear about Buddy.

Your video with Buddy gave me the courage and the details I needed to test Ernest. I think of Buddy every single time I test Ernest.

Rest in Peace Buddy.
 
I am so sorry to hear of Buddy's passing. I only joined the board this week, but it was your video with Buddy that has enabled us to test Bobbie at home. We had been trying and were going about it all wrong till we saw your and Buddy's video.Hugs to you.
 
(((Mark)))

I'm so sorry about your loss.

Buddy was very special and will remain a big part of our lives.

Hugs,
Pam & Layla
 
Mark, my condolences for your loss of sweet Buddy. I know how much our furry children mean to us all, and them crossing over is hard to deal with!!

Your video helped me visually get the steps to get Dopey to be able to be hometested daily, and he's seemingly on his way to remission!!

Thanks to you and Buddy for sharing his story and giving us all hope!

Susan
 
(((((Mark))))) Buddy was (is) a most awesome spirit. I point to his video as one with the best info. I am so sorry for your loss. Fly free, fly most high, Buddy. wings_cat
 
Mark, my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your beloved Buddy. Buddy's YouTube video on hometesting is one of the best and Buddy will live on for years helping so many learn to hometest. My heart goes out to you.......many of us know and understand the bond created in treating a diabetic cat and know how deep the loss goes when they leave us. I am saddened by the news but glad to know he passed peacefully in your arms.
petssympathy2.gif
 
((((Mark)))) Buddy will indeed live on. I watched his video many times.
I'm sure he is hanging out with Simon and all those that have gone ahead.
It's so hard to lose our sugarbabies...I wish you comfort and peace.
 
(((Mark)))
Buddy was a very special kitty. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. We watched your video many times when learning how to home test.

My heart goes out to you.
 
Mark, I'm truly sorry for the loss of your friend, Buddy. I, too, watched his video several times when I first started home testing. I'm sure it will continue to be a godsend for people facing this and I'm so glad Buddy was able to help so many kitties and their owners deal with FD. Fly free, Buddy, we always knew you were an angel and now you have your wings.
 
Oh Mark I am so sorry. My eyes have welled up on reading your post about this. You responded to me on YouTube this week in regards to my kitty Stella. Please know, that it was you and Buddy that inspired me and made me believe I could do BG home testing. It was you and Buddy that gave me the courage to be persistent with my vet. I am thankful the FDMB linked me to your video. It is because you and Buddy that Stella is on a path to healing. Buddy has served life better than some humans. But it was you, her person who knew it could be done. Thank you. Thank you so very much for giving us the gift of your and Buddy's video.
 
I am so sorry for your loss.

Buddy was a special cat and he leaves an extraordinary legacy to help other cats.

May all your wonderful memories of Buddy comfort you...

...'til you meet again.
 
I'm sorry for your loss. Buddy must have been very special. My Chance is 14 now and also diabetic for 6 years. Chance is starting to have some chronic problems so I don't know how much time we have. He'll probably be meeting Buddy at the rainbow bridge before too long.
 
I love the Mark and Buddy video, it's the only one I ever refer people to.
Your Buddy is a legend who will never be forgotten or go unknown to diabetic cats everywhere across the world. The two of you are so special, and worked so well together, that your utube is the goal of every new diabetic kitty parent and every kitty who hopes to master the art of testing.
Thank you both,
May Buddy rest in peace and be remembered far and wide forever.
Lori
and tomtom
 
Mark, my deepest sympathies. You and Buddy came into my life at a time when I needed some help. The entire home testing was so overwhelming, and you made it so much easier.

You have made it so that other people can do what they never imagined they would, and you made it look so easy. Buddy will be remembered.
 
I am so sorry to hear about Buddy's passing. He was a true legend.

Your video was amazing and I just have to thank you so much for making such a wonderful video. I have sent it to so many people to help them learn that home testing is not scary.

My thoughts are with you.
 
Sending cyber hugs. I am so very sorry for your loss. Buddy was a special cat and always will be, and he (and you) will help many more kitties with the video. Buddy is flying free now, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon

wings_cat
 
I'm so sorry to see this post. Buddy was an inspiration to so very many here on FDMB. My Charlie joined in 04 and lived 7 years on insulin and testing. He too sat and purred through the process. Watching your video just now brought tears to my eyes, the memories of long ago... the simple loving act of caring for him... I miss my boy who left from my arms August 5th 09. He was 18 and a blood clot to the brain took him.


Thank you for sharing your Buddy with all of us. He will be remembered by many.
 
Mark, I am so very sorry to see that Buddy's wonderful life with you has ended here on earth - what a handsome and loving guy he was. That video has helped so many people (myself and Dude included) all over the world - what a legacy he leaves behind. He will always be remembered and loved by those of us here on the board who have traveled the journey and done the "sugar dance" with you and Buddy.

He has now joined all the other beautiful companions who have left us physically but whose names and furry little extra-sweet faces will remain forever in our minds and hearts.

Thank you for sharing your Buddy with the world of "sweet pets."

We share your sadness in having to say goodbye - but you sent him peacefully on his way - what a gift.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
Mark, my condolences on the loss of your beloved Buddy. Thank you so much for making this fabulous video! I had not seen it until today. I am sure you have helped thousands of new diabetic cats by proving that hometesting is not only easy, but does not harm the cat. dB used to come to the kitchen for his test because he learned that his insulin made him feel better. May fond memories of your sweet boy ease your grief.

Purrs,
Karen & dB in spirit
 
Mark,

Oh no this is terrible news! I can't tell you how many times I watched your video. Buddy was an inspiration and I have to say, my Junior was not a fan. "Why can't you be like Buddy?" I'd ask. Junior had jealousy issues.

Fly free Buddy.
Bonnie and Junior
 
MauiGuppy said:
Mark,

Oh no this is terrible news! I can't tell you how many times I watched your video. Buddy was an inspiration and I have to say, my Junior was not a fan. "Why can't you be like Buddy?" I'd ask. Junior had jealousy issues. Bonnie and Junior
Click to expand...

I echo Bonnie's sentiment! When my cat Zener was diagnosed a few months ago, I struggled to do home testing. I had no luck with the ear pokes and was trying the paddy paws, another disaster. I found you and Buddy on youtube and it was the clearest, most understandable video of how to do the testing. You both were such fantastic teachers. I mastered the ear testing within a day. The two pokes was the secret for us! And now, my Zener hops on his special footstool at testing time and purrs just like Buddy. I'll be thinking about Buddy even more now each time Zener purrs at test time. We send all our best to you in the time of loss.
wings_cat To Buddy (and Mark), the best teacher ever!
 
Mark,

Your Buddy was an inspiration to me when Sara was first DX. He has helped countless kitties and beans and always will. So sorry for your loss and I know you will miss him.

Fly Free Sweet Buddy.

jan and sara
 
Mark, I'm so sorry about losing Buddy. {{hug}}

Your video was the first video I ever saw about diabetic cats. I didnt know you were part of this board. It helped me immensely.

Buddy is in a better place.
 
Fly Free sweet Buddy....what an inspiration you are and you have left all newbies a lasting gift....learning how to hometest their kitties and save their lives. We also learned to hometest just based solely on Buddy's video. Thank you, Buddy and Mark.

Our deepest sympathy, Mark. Buddy was a very special boy for many reasons including his wonderful bean.
 
I am sorry for your loss - what an inspiration! Fly free little one.

Your video is such a help to so many. Thank you for putting it together. I got lucky - my guy is as cooperative as Buddy. You have left us all an everlasting gift.
 
I am saddened to hear the news of Buddy's departure from this life. He will live on in so many other kitties' lives. It is because of him that so many of us "stuck" it out when it seemed too difficult. I smile every time I watch your video because my Jessie is nothing like Buddy, but he gives me hope that testing will get easier. I'm so sorry for the pain you are feeling, may you find comfort in knowing that sharing Buddy with us has helped so many. The last thing he had here were your loving arms around him.
 
Mark,
Sooo very sorry to hear of Buddy's passing as I just lost my Gumpy girl yesterday as well. My heart is so full of pain right now for my own, but I will share a bit of yours for you too. I guess we can lean on each other. If I would not have had a Sugar Bean, I would never found such a wonderful set of folks!
I was well known as the girl that was scared to no end to test, was all thumbs, Sugar Bean was a whisker hair close to hypo, and after all that, we do pokey poke without a problem now! Ty for you and Buddy's video and thinking of others!
In loving memories of Gumpy and Buddy,
Crying a tear for you!
 

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So sorry to hear of your loss. Rest in peace buddy. We just had to send Trixie to Kitty heaven on wed. July 13th 2011 form oral cancer. One hard thing to do. Rico one of our other cats has been diagnosed with Diabetes around a month ago. We are just learning and did see Buddy's vid. Buddy and Trixie are pals in Kitty heaven...Rest in Peace Trixie..We miss you...
Ron and Denise
Moncton NB
ccRico Timmy Peanut
 
Mark, I am so sorry about Buddy.
Like so many others I watched your video many times as I learned to test my own kitty. I am convinced that the reason Buddy was so calm was due to your straight-forwardness, confidence and relaxed nature. I took that lesson to heart when it was time to test my own kitty.

Thank you from the depths of my heart.
Carolyn
 
I echo the sentiments of everyone above - I am sorry for your loss and am profoundly grateful to you and Buddy. My cat Emmy was diagnosed with diabetes only a month ago and I was paralyzed at the thought of home testing her. I must have watched your video a dozen times in a row before my first attempt! Thanks to the both of you, I gained confidence and a measure of calm that has stayed with me through every test. Sending you loads of gratitude and healing thoughts to ease your grief.

Janelle
 
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