Meet Spartacus and Queenie: The Furry Housemates of John Duthie
Life with cats is never dull—especially for John Duthie, a devoted cat dad and wheelchair user whose two feline companions have decided that his wheelchairs are their personal thrones. Spartacus and Queenie are more than just pets—they’re quirky family members who have overcome their own struggles, just like their human dad.
Spartacus entered Duthie’s life unexpectedly, wandering into his yard after being abandoned. Queenie, on the other hand, was adopted from SA Cat Rescue Inc. Missing a tail and full of personality, she immediately made her mark in her new home.
A Wheelchair Is Just a Fancy Cat Bed—Apparently
Duthie’s life is uniquely accessible, thanks to his use of both manual and powered wheelchairs. But his mobility tools have become top real estate in a household with strong-willed felines. The cats don’t seem to acknowledge Duthie’s disability—instead, they’re more focused on the cozy napping potential of his chairs.
“[Queenie] sleeps on my powered chair each night, leaving me with no spare wheelchair, as Spartacus is sleeping on the other chair,” Duthie told The Dodo. He jokingly added, “Cats are very possessive and don’t want to move, and every time I want to use a wheelchair, it takes time and effort!”
Morning Routines With a Feline Twist
Each morning, Duthie uses a lift to carefully lower himself into one of his wheelchairs. The only issue? Queenie is usually deeply asleep on his powered chair, oblivious to his need for it. Coaxing her to move isn’t easy—after all, she’s a cat with her own agenda.
“The combination of a cat being a cat and their need to sleep is more important than for me to use my mobility device,” Duthie explained. “They don’t seem to understand that I can’t walk. In one way, it’s great they don’t notice my disability.”
Making an Accessible Home for All
Despite their mischievous behavior, Spartacus and Queenie mean the world to Duthie. He has designed his home to be accessible not only for his own mobility needs but also for the comfort of his cats. In fact, the greatest challenge to his daily routine comes not from accessibility barriers, but from two sleepy furballs with a stubborn streak.
Duthie has even taken inspiration from his pets by writing a children’s book about Spartacus, highlighting the adventures and compassion that rescue animals can bring into our lives.
Unconditional Love—Tail (or No Tail) and All
Though their antics occasionally make life a bit more complicated, Duthie wouldn’t have it any other way. Spartacus and Queenie may have claimed his wheelchairs, but they’ve also claimed his heart. It’s clear that for this trio, love comes in all forms—sometimes fluffy, sometimes tailless, and very often, comfortably curled up on a very essential mobility device.
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