Celebrating Every Day — “Good Job” and “You Did Great” Festivals with Mickey

This is a personal record of my life with my cat, Mickey, who lives with a chronic illness.
The English version is translated with the help of AI tools, with care and love.
This post was originally published on June 11, 2025.

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Every Day Is a Special Event

In our home, something special has been happening every single day.
We call it the “Good Job Festival” and the “You Did Great Festival.”

They aren’t big celebrations with decorations or music.
They’re quiet, gentle moments — just for Mickey.

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What Are These “Festivals”?

Whenever Mickey eats a little,
takes his medicine,
finishes his fluids,
or simply gets through the day calmly,

we celebrate.

We say things like:
“Good job!”
“You did great today.”
“I’m so proud of you.”

These words might seem small, but for us, they mean everything.

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Living with Chronic Illness Changes What Matters

Before kidney disease, we probably took many things for granted.
Eating.
Playing.
Using the litter box.
Sleeping peacefully.

Now, each of these moments feels precious.

Mickey doesn’t have to be perfect.
He doesn’t have to do more than he can.

Just getting through the day is already an achievement.

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Praise as Gentle Care

Praising Mickey isn’t just encouragement —
it’s a way of saying:

“You’re safe.”
“You’re loved.”
“You don’t have to try harder than today.”

When we speak softly to him, Mickey often relaxes, blinks slowly, and settles down.
Those small reactions tell us that our words reach him.

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A Life Full of Small Celebrations

Right now, Mickey’s life is filled with many tiny milestones.
And we choose to turn each one into a celebration.

No matter how ordinary the day may seem,
for Mickey — and for us —

every day is an event worth celebrating.