I'm not even sure how to start this, but I'm going to do my best to stumble through it. (it ended up taking me 4 days) China came to me as a tiny kitten back in 2001. My oldest son and I went to the shelter to check out the kitties and of course we both fell in love with different ones!! China stole my heart when I picked her up and she gently swiped at my nose. The 2 cats I'd adopted before her had both done the same thing when I went looking for another family member, so of course she was telling me she was mine!! My son's heart was stolen by a little gray manx fluffball that we later learned had quite a bit of British Shorthair lineage. While my son and I argued over which kitty was coming home with us, I motioned to the shelter workers through the glass "2 for 1"??? They laughed and nodded their heads, so a team was born! On the way home, we discussed names.....I had noticed that she was very fine boned and there wasn't a single hair that wasn't white, so my first thought was that she was like fine China. Delicate and beautiful. My son, being a teenager at the time, was not impressed. He thought it was "boring". This was the mid-90's when the crack crisis was in full swing, so being a bit of a smart-a$$, I said "what do you want me to name her? Cocaine"??…..Well that wasn't going to work for me so we finally compromised on "China White"....another type of drug. China was always her "own cat"....she did her own thing and could take or leave a lot of attention, at least for the first 12 years of her life. She did however, make sure her wishes were known!....at the top of her lungs!! Having a good bit of Siamese in her made sure of that!! Before her diagnosis, if I had to take her to the vet, she'd yowl so loud that I swear people in cars passing by thought I had kidnapped a child that was screaming their head off! In the fall of 2012, I started to notice she seemed to be losing weight, but knowing she was an older kitty, I didn't think a lot of it. As time went on, she continued to lose weight and then I started noticing I was having to fill the water bowl a LOT more often and she was often laying close to it. She had always liked drinking water, but this was crazy! I still didn't put 2 and 2 together Of course, being very low income, I also had the problem of paying for a vet visit. By early 2013, she had lost so much weight and looked awful. Her coat was unkept, she was always eating but not gaining and the water intake had gone crazy, so I finally got her to the vet in May. I had already figured that she was most likely hyperthyroid since I'd had an older cat with hyperT before, but the vet came back with "she's got diabetes"!....I was floored. I knew a lot about diabetes because it runs in the family, but never even considered it. The first vet we saw said "feed her this special food (dry W/D) and she may live another 4 months, but she'll probably go blind soon".....and the infamous "insulin is a hassle" comment. That night I hit the internet and found FDMB!! We dumped the dry and switched to low carb canned right away and gave her some time to see if the diet change would be enough while I asked lots of questions and came up with a plan if the diet change wasn't enough. Of course the diet change helped, but it wasn't enough, so after calling every vet within 30 miles of here, I finally found one who seemed willing to prescribe Lantus so off we went to vet #2. Script in hand, we started the adventure. China took to testing easily (thank goodness!). She was always very easy to deal with but I think she also knew that whatever I was doing to her, it was making her feel so much better! She quickly gained back all the weight she'd lost (plus some) and resumed grooming and playing and acting like a much younger cat! The rest is history....and China was one of the tightest controlled kitties here and for that, I thank the people who taught me what I needed to learn. I can't thank you enough for giving me 5+ extra years! I miss her terribly. I keep thinking I'm forgetting to do something and then I realize why. Losing a sugarcat is like having someone perform open heart surgery and tearing your heart out. It just leaves you lost. But I wouldn't trade the joy and love I got from China for anything. I'm blessed that she did so well and was seemingly in good health right up until the last few days.....and to vet #1 who said she'd live maybe 4 months and go blind....SHOWED YOU!!! Thank you all for caring so much for my dear China and for all your kind words. Also for your patience while I adjust to this new reality.
What a great remembrance for a wonderful girl! It feels odd in a way for me to read about you in the beginning of your FD journey, but obviously we all had to start somewhere. You and China had amazing and enviable FD journey. Thank you for sharing her with us! Many hugs Chris!
What a lovely story Chris. She was a beautiful girl..she saved Sheba many times when she put on her water wings to go into the shark infested waters to rescue her. What wonderful memories! I’m so glad you found each other.
What a great story about China. I am glad she did so well for so long. I will always remember the first night of lows and the karo bath. You came a long way Chris. Thanks for all you do. It’s amazing how long certain schedules stick with you. 7:30 is forever PS time here. The rhythms of a sugar cat life will be there a while.
You gave China such a good life of love--and she took good care of you, too. The world sure does look different after one of these great personalities leaves us.
Your life with China is so similar to ours with Yemala. She made her wishes in regards to our family known early in the adoption. I so clearly remember, one of the first nights she was home with us, I picked up this loud and demanding cat and placed her in my arms. She stopped yowling, pulled her neck in, and whipped her dangling tail up so it wrapped around her feet. She said, "I am home." Her initial diagnosis was 2006, when she was only 7. I took her to the vet we'd been using for years, despite that his clinic was about 10 miles outside town, as he was so much cheaper. He diagnosed her, then told me that if she started eating prescription dry food and we gave her vetsulin at 7 units bid, she might live a year or two. That's when I found this board. And while I can't be sure, I wouldn't be surprised if you, Chris, were one of those who coached us through her first catastrophic hypo incident, when I was still trying to give her the excessive dose prescribed. She lasted, went into remission, and we had no issues until another vet put her on steroids for an ear infection. They pull our hearts, demand our attention and devotion, and keep us hopping. and we wouldn't have it any other way. I know every day I have with Mala is cheating time. She's 19. She shouldn't be back in remission. She has CKD, but her numbers have been better since we put her on better quality food. Any day, we could lose her, so I cuddle her every night and make sure she feels loved as much as I can. As you did for China. I wish you peace in your memories of your lovely and loving sugar kitty. She was a wonderful presence in the world, and gone too soon.
Chris you are a true Champion for FD cats! Your story is familiar (seems like the veterinary world could learn a thing or three from you - they're all such doomsdayers - because they know not what they're doing!)... You were a wonderful mama bean to China White. Loved hearing the backstory to how that wonderful kittie came into your life and you into hers. Thank you for sharing - and thank you for your continued help and support - even in this time of heartache - I see you caring and sharing for others, directing them to this group where there are true lifesavers. Feel loved and appreciated for your efforts here Chris. Extending love and hugs to you and your precious China White. We all hold a place in our hearts for our sugar babies...and I'm finding the same for the sugar babies of everyone else here who loses one.
Thank you for sharing your story about China. I still remember the first time you posted in my condo when Rex decided to have a pajama party. I hadn't "met" you yet. What stood out in my mind was your image of a white cat swimming in a life preserver. China is a great example of tight regulation.
What a beautiful tribute. Losing our babies is so very hard, and it's hard to see and feel it at first, but they are always, always with us - in who we are/have become and everything we do. Hugs and prayers....
With a wonderful love story like this, I can imagine how empty your life must feel without your little China. When she chose you, she knew you were “the one” for her and she was right, because you gave her the most beautiful life she could have. She’s still there and will be with you forever. Thanks for sharing and being there for all of us!
Thank you for sharing your story, Chris. China was very special kitty and for Ducia and me she was an inspiration since our day one here. She’ll be missed greatly. Hugs and prayers for your bleeding heart to heal and be filled with good memories of your time together.
You had a big influence on me right from the start Chris. You might not know this but you were there when I needed you, I'm just not very good at saying thank you. China being gone seems so unfair. I hope the days ahead bring healing and peace.
Chris, what a lucky girl China was to be adopted by such a devoted momma who not only attended to her diabetes expertly, but who also knew how to outfit her for every special event here on the board. What fun seeing all her party attire! She is missed by all of us for sure , but I am sure pale in comparison to the hole she has left in your world. Thanks for sharing her with us and thanks for all that you do here and for Diabetic Cats In Need.
Very sweet tribute to a special girl. You've done so much for us all, Chris, and your work @DCIN is a godsend to so many. Godspeed. and peace. and love ............
Thanks for sharing China’s story with us. She definitely knew what she was doing the day you went looking for a new kitty to adopt. That nagging feeling that you need to be doing something at TFS time never leaves. I rearranged my other animals schedules to have something to do at 6:15.
China was truly a special kitty. You were meant to be with each other. Thank you for sharing her with us. Sending prayers.
What a beautiful remembrance for a beautiful kitty. Thank you for all you do for sugar babies in need, and especially for all those times you stayed up with me to help me steer Bailey through the night. Your kindness, your devotion, and your endless patience, were exactly what Bailey and I needed to navigate those first few scary weeks. We could not have done this without you. Sending prayers
It really is too bad some of our kittehs can't live 20 years, or even longer. I really enjoyed reading this great tribute to China, and some of her antics. She was so lucky to have you as a cat Mom, and your tribute keeps her spirit alive with all of us.
Dear Chris, Your remembrance of China is so beautiful and shows how our sugar kitties can touch our hearts in so many ways. China was such a great kitty and her FD journey shows that your dedication and her determination were a fantastic combination. LagoonMeisterin China: you are much missed here in L&LL. But we know that you and all of your GA pals are enjoying lots of parties at the Bridge. You and LagoonMeister Rusty must be grillin' lots of heavenly hotdogs for your super cookouts at the Bridge Beach. And you don't have to save anyone from the sharks! Thanks, Chris, for staying around and helping so many here.
Chris, I'm so sorry about China. What a nice tribute; I very much enjoy reading the stories of how our special ones enter our lives. Oh, how different your world might have been but for a gentle paw to the nose and a "twofer" special! That rhythm of life change takes awhile. I liken it to the old Batman TV series where the picture tilted when the bad guys showed up. The world and daily life is just off balance for awhile. I've been thinking about you and hope your days are getting easier.
