Owner's Name
Kathy & John Raepple

Please include a short paragraph that tells voters something fun or interesting about the cat(s) and other animals in the photo. Which cat is diabetic? Is one or more a DCIN rescue? How long have the animals been a part of your family? Give some interesting information about the animal(s) in the photo that will encourage others to vote for your photo.
Leo started his life living on the streets. He was rescued and brought into the vet clinic where I was working at the time and I immediately fell for his cute little fuzzy 8 week old face!

Leo was diagnosed diabetic about 3 years ago. On his first go-round with insulin injections he was able to go OTJ after about 2 weeks! This past April, however, he had an episode of DKA, spent a weekend at the after-hours emergency clinic, and is now back on insulin. While we are currently still adjusting his insulin dose to get it just right, Leo doesn't mind at all.

Leo actually waits for me to give him his injections every day and on the days we are doing a curve he waits in the bathroom every couple of hours for his poke. He purrs through everything and loves the extra attention being diabetic has gotten him.

Leo loves nothing more than lounging around the house with the other cats, helping to train the foster kitties on proper kitty etiquette, and getting his special treat on curve days. He also likes to take advantage of every opportunity to jump up on my lap, push his face into mine, and let me know that he still loves me.

Leo is now about 12 years old (birth date wasn't exact unfortunately), but still has his "crazy kitten moments" almost daily. He is the one I refer back to when talking to clients about their diabetic cats - especially when they are concerned about having to give injections and check levels.

Leo has taught me a lot about diabetic cats and their specialized care. I know that, at first, I was concerned about him "hating" me for having to constantly poke him so much, but he has shown me time & time again that it doesn't bother him at all. I think he actually loves the extra one-on-one time we spend together.

He is probably the best cat I have ever owned - sweet, affectionate and always purring - even when he's protesting his grooming :)