When Rick and Debi DeAnn were raising their 4 daughters there was a strict rule in their home...NO PETS!  Well, maybe not so strict...When daughter Janessa found a gray & white kitty hanging around a park she decided to sneak him into her bedroom.  This secret lasted less than 24 hours because she conveniently left the carrier in the middle of  the driveway - a subconscious faux "paw"?  Regardless, Pusey became a member of the family.

Never having had a cat before, it was assumed that Pusey was a girl.  The name Pusey came about because Janessa was studing Spanish at the time and took the word Puse, and spelled it Pusey.  After finding out Pusey was a boy, it was just too late to change his name.  Dad Rick insists on calling him "Percy", so as not to offend his male ego.

Oddly enough, once adopted, Pusey did not have the outdoor "itch" and was perfectly happy to remain an indoor pet.  Although he wasn't much for toys, he did enjoy batting around crumpled foil.  He also had his own seat at the dinner table, where he would hold court and talk loudly, without ever trying to get the food!  As a matter of fact, Ariana, the youngest daughter says that Pusey has always been very vocal about getting his needs met!

The DeAnns moved to Cary from Washington D.C. a little over a year ago.  The move was very hard on Pusey, who had spent the last 9 years in the same home.  In fact, he was so stressed that he did not come out of the bathroom for about 6 months.  Although he is now comfortable again in his surroundings, he chooses to sleep in the safety of the bathroom rather than in Ariana's bed, although he still goes there for lots of petting and cuddling!

In December of 2005 Pusey was diagnosed with feline diabetes.  His weight had plummeted from 13 pounds to 7 pounds, and he had neurological symptoms as well - he could not walk and managed to drag himself around, often on his ankles.  As Dr. Betsy worked to regulate his glucose with insulin injections and a special diet, Pusey took a turn for the worse in February 2006 when he came down with a terrible infection.  With Dr. Betsy's help, and lots of antibiotics, Pusey made a remarkable recovery.  Regulating his blood sugar, though, has remained extremely difficult, no matter what dose of insulin he is prescribed.   Both Rick and Debi have organized their schedules around Pusey's daily insulin injections, and closely monitor his food intake, which is very important when trying to regulate blood sugar.  For more information on feline diabetes see www.sugarcats.com or www.felinediabetes.com.

Pusey still enjoys life and has his funny moments...recently Ariana found him parading around the house with her underwear around his middle.  Although everyone was in hysterics, Pusey maintained his composure and played it off with dignified aplomb.  Here at CCAH we have gotten to know Pusey well in the past 6 months and have fallen in love with his chattering voice and sweet personality.  He is a pleasure to treat and never loses his temper, even when he is poked and prodded.  I feel sure that Pusey understands how much his family loves and needs him, and that in order to be with them for as long as possible, he must endure these hospital visits.

Pusey Speaks Out
Favorite Sports:                              relaxing and cuddling
Favorite Pastime:                           relaxing and cuddling
Favorite Foods:                              none, and not a very big fan of my prescription
                                                           diet, DM (diabetes management)
Greatest Fears:                               I have a lot of these, including new homes,
                                                           thunder, lightening, and pretty much anything
                                                           that interferes with relaxing and cuddling
Thoughts on Life:                            "Although I suffer from diabetes, and have good
                                                            days & bad days, I love my family and am
                                                            forever grateful for the love and care they have
                                                            showered on me - it makes the bad days worth
                                                            living."