The Little Vial That Could

This is the story of "the little vial that could," and more.

Not long ago a kitty Mom lost her best friend Peanut. Peanut had been diabetic for nine years and besides his grief-stricken Mom, he left behind a recently opened vial of insulin and some other diabetic supplies. Mom, who lives nearby, arranged to leave those items for me at our common vet. (Small world isn't it?)

When I drove to my vet's office to get those supplies, Big Head Todd and his Mom came along, to have my vet see Big Head. His breathing wasn't quite right. The closer we got, the more strenuous Big Head's breathing became. By the time we got there, Big Head Todd was hyperventilating, and after a bit of quick care, the vet techs pushed us out the door to the nearby emergency hospital ten minutes up the road.


Big Head was in congestive heart failure. He was going to have to stay at the emergency hospital at least overnight. But, SHIT, Big Head's Mom didn't bring his insulin along and the hospital did not have the insulin he uses. Wait, WAIT! Peanut's insulin is in the car; the same insulin Big Head uses. Thankfully, the vet techs put Peanut's insulin into my hand as we left that office.

Sweet Boy Big Head Todd

Big Head came home the next day, as did Peanut's insulin. The next day I delivered the vial to Buddy's Mom, another nearby kitty that DCIN helps when it can.

Peanut's last vial of insulin has now helped three cats--Peanut, Big Head Todd, and Buddy. It is the little vial that could.

This is a memorable story, but not unusual. We have many, many stories of folks with diabetic cats helping other folks with insulin or other supplies. There are folks who DCIN helped years ago when they were in a bad place who have come back with cash contributions or offering insulin or supplies far in excess of what they received from DCIN. They tell us what it meant to them when DCIN was able to help their beloved kitties. Folks who have adopted diabetic cats through DCIN offer fundraising items or events, showing their appreciation for the cats that have filled their hearts with love. Folks who have never received help from DCIN will be particularly touched by a diabetic cat's story and share what they can to help that cat.

The hearts of the people who keep or adopt diabetic cats and care for them are HUGE. When the DCIN case managers offer help for diabetic cats, or when they request help for those cats, they never think of what might be returned for other cats down the road. But we have seen enough "return on investment" from those we have helped to know that DCIN clearly has made a meaningful mark on many lives. And that makes our hearts glow.

~Venita, DCIN Founder and Director