It would be a gift to you and Bootsie if you got Bootsie to the vet and on a diet that would get Bootsie slowly down to a normal weight. There are foods for that. Can you appeal to a neighbor to help you get Bootsie to your car, or if you don't have a car, to get you and Bootsie to the vet. Since your husband is leaving you, it is necessary for you to function independently (I'm disabled and in an electric scooter and live alone with two cats so I understand about being disabled and functioning independently). Perhaps a walker with a seat and Bootsie could be in a box on the seat.

When at the vet, you could discuss the proper care of Bootsie to get the weight down and also you could discuss playing with Bootsie to try to get some of the weight off this cat. It could be that if Bootsie lost some weight, the diabetes may decrease significantly or potentially go away.

If you give up Bootsie, you will give up taking care of yourself. Bootsie is what keeps you going. That's how it is with me and my two cats. One will be 13 and the other will be 15.

I just read an article about a cat named Tiger who is 35 pounds and the one shelter was working with him and got him a forever home and he's losing weight. Many many hugs for you and Bootsie.

bootsie is a hugh cat, who is not overweigh. thank you anyways

Hi peppe: Please tell Bootsie to please forgive me because I have two cats and it is a slight to tell a cat they are overweight when they are not. My apologies to Bootsie.

It is not impossible to train a cat. I once had a very large 24 pound cat long ago, so with Bootsie being a big cat, some training to jump and climb a surface to get onto a walker seat (and some walker's have baskets under the seat) would really help. I worked with clicker training for my cats so that in case of fire and I was overcome by smoke and in my electric scooter, and couldn't speak to call them, I could use the clicker training to get them to come to me and get them outside.

You can also talk with your local shelter about special training because they usually have an animal behaviorist and really want to help you keep your animal instead of turning it in. So you often can get tips or help from them on how to achieve what you want to do.

The key is finding what motivates them. For my cats it is a lot of affection, attention and scratching all over their heads and being told they are so good. I have them training to ride in my scooter basket (one at a time) wearing their harnesses. And in the winter they wear their coats when in my scooter basket.

Also,, my cats don't do well with a collar and leash. They prefer harnesses and leashes. Best to you and Bootsie. Many, many hugs.

I would put bootsie to sleep than bring him to a shelter that would keep him years and years....He is diabetic, no no one would adopt him. Also, I need hip replacement. But not now, would I bring him anywhere, he is not sick, no diahea or vomit. I love this cat. I got him when my other cat died suddenly. It is horrible what I am going thru, husband of 41 years is leaving me for another woman. The only one I want to put to sleep is me

I am so sorry for everything you are going through. Have you thought of putting an ad in the paper or Craigslist seeing if someone wanted to adopt your cat? Someone out there may want to help. Hope things go better for you. Sending you hugs!

I doubt anyone would want a 10 year old cat, diabetic....

No one is asking you to drop Bootsie off at a shelter. Most people believe shelters are only to drop off unwanted pets. Shelters can also help you to keep the pets you have and they have resources. Please consider asking them if they have a behaviorist that would speak with you about how you could train Bootsie

I'm confused at what the issue is here? The cat apparently is healthy other than having diabetes. Cats are very self sufficient so there's no need to carry it around. If a shelter is not an option and the reality that the cat is not adoptable to the diabetes and associated costs.

I think you are dealing with a lot right now in regards to your divorce. If you require hip surgery and need a place for the cat to stay for a few days or a week until you are able to be home, there are shelters where he could stay temporarily or even most vet offices offer sheltering and daycare.

I would keep your cat for the company; it'll bring you companionship through this difficult time.

I agree to keep your cat, if you gave him up then you would be alone! I almost gave my cats (2) up because of the work involved (kitty litter, etc) but at the last minute I changed my mind. It would be too lonely without them sleeping by my side!

How do you know for sure that your cat has diabetes? Ask a neighbor or a friend to take you to the vet and find out your alternatives. I am sure there are diets that will help your kitty!

Craigs List is very good if you have a telephone number to respond to.

KK

why can't you keep him? is it the cost of the medication? LOL As Time Goes B must never have seen a Maine Coon. Mine was 25 lbs when i got him & the 1st time he got up on the bed & sat on my chest I thought my lungs were going to collapse. But As Time Goes B is right if you give him up you will stop caring about yourself & besides unlike most people pets give unconditional love, they never talk back but they do give you attitude once in awhile but he will be good company most of the time.

As I said I had a cat that was 24 pounds years back. I always took in rescues. When Peppe said diabetic and the weight, I thought it was because the cat was overweight and thus the reason she couldn't carry him. I apologized.

But if she is giving him up because she can't carry him to get him to the vet, there are cat carriers on wheels so she can pull him along AND she can begin to train him to jump into a walker basket or into a car. Shelters are great on helping you with ideas on training like that because they really don't want you to give up your animal.

I guess I didn't make myself clear....I canot pick up bootsie to take him to the vet, involves a carrier cage, and than a walk to the car, then taking him out of car and walking to vets office. I need a hip replacement that could take up to 6 months to get better. It's not about the money...Actually, Bootsie, once diagnosed with diabetes, is quite cheap. And than 3 weeks ago, he threw up and had stool all over the place, which means that he has some sort of infection, and the vet said he may have to be hospitalized, should this happen again. Right now, I am just want feeback, and thank you for it....I don't really intend to get up Bootsie. Bootsie came into my life after I suddently lost my cat Heppy. (the vet was at fault),,,,I couldn't believe it, Heppy slept on my back everynice. It is a long story, but I had a flying fit when she died suddenly of kidney failure, didn't even know she was sicl. So when she died, I wanted to have less grief so I got Bootsie, I wanted a cat to look exactly like Heppy, but I found bootsie instead. No resemblese, (LOL), just loved his face. He actually reminds me (If I happen to forget about his insulin, ) is to come over to me, so I could see he needs something....Then I say "oh, the shot". He is quite smart.

peppe

Peppe, you could look into pet services in your area. There are businesses out there that will pick up your pet and bring to a vet appointment and then return the pet to you. Not sure of the cost but it's an option.

Peppe that's why I'm suggesting contacting the local shelter to learn training techniques for you to teach Bootsie how to jump in and out of a car, to walk on a harness and leash. It's not impossible. My cats have learned so much. I have an electric scooter, but I also have a walker--both have baskets and you can teach cats to jump up into those baskets and then hook them so they can't jump out of the baskets.