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 13, 2025.
A Happiness Pyramid Created Just for Mickey
Living with a cat who has kidney disease has taught me to look at “happiness” in a different way.
Not as something big or perfect — but as something built slowly, gently, one layer at a time.
Over time, I began to think about Mickey’s needs as a five-level pyramid, created not from theory, but from everyday life with him.
This is Mickey’s Happiness Pyramid, as seen through the eyes of his owner.
Level 1: Basic Physical Needs
At the foundation of everything are the essentials that keep Mickey going each day:
- Subcutaneous fluids
- A prescription diet
- Cat naps
- Using the litter box comfortably
For a cat with kidney disease, these are not just routines — they are lifelines.
When these needs are met, Mickey can rest, breathe easily, and face the day.
Nothing else matters if this level is unstable.
Level 2: Comfort and Safety
Once his body feels supported, Mickey seeks comfort and security.
- Patrolling the house, checking that everything is in its place
- Relaxing in his favorite cardboard boxes
These quiet habits tell me something important:
Mickey feels safe enough to be himself.
Feeling secure allows his body and heart to soften.
Level 3: Connection and Trust
This level is where our bond lives.
- Rubbing against my legs
- Kneading (making biscuits) on the blanket
These small actions speak louder than words.
They are Mickey’s way of saying, “I trust you. I’m okay right now.”
Trust grows not from doing more, but from being there.
Level 4: Small Joys and Curiosity
Even with illness, Mickey still reaches for joy.
- Enjoying his favorite treats
- Playing with all his might
These moments may be brief, but they shine brightly.
They remind me that Mickey is not defined by his disease.
He still wants to play, to taste, to feel alive.
Level 5: Feeling Loved Just as He Is
At the very top of Mickey’s happiness pyramid is something beautifully simple:
- Being gently petted
- Receiving endless praise from his owner
No expectations.
No goals to meet.
Just love — given freely, exactly as he is today.
This is where Mickey’s true happiness lives.
What Mickey’s Happiness Pyramid Taught Me
This way of thinking changed how I care for Mickey.
Instead of asking, “Am I doing everything right?”
I now ask, “Which level does he need support with today?”
If his pyramid is steady — even imperfectly — then that day is a good one.
And that, for us, is more than enough.
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