“They don’t seem to understand that I can’t walk.”
John Duthie shares his home—and his heart—with two spirited felines: Spartacus and Queenie. Spartacus showed up one day like a little furry drifter, abandoned and seeking shelter, while Queenie joined the family from SA Cat Rescue Inc., missing a tail but full of sass. Life hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride for any of them, but together, they’ve built something special.
As a wheelchair user, Duthie brings a unique rhythm to his household—one his cats have enthusiastically adapted to. In fact, they’ve turned his wheelchairs into prime real estate for napping. “Queenie claims the powered chair every night,” Duthie shared with The Dodo, “which leaves Spartacus to occupy the manual one. So I’ve got no free chair when I need one.” Classic cats—territorial, comfortable, and completely unapologetic.
Each morning, Duthie uses a lift to ease into his wheelchair, a process complicated by Queenie’s refusal to surrender her throne. “Cats will be cats,” he laughs. “Apparently, their beauty sleep takes priority over my mobility. But honestly, I kind of love that they don’t see my disability—they just see me.”
A video of Duthie politely negotiating with a very committed Queenie went viral, and people couldn’t get enough of the scene: a man trying to start his day while a stubborn cat guards her sleep sanctuary. The internet declared it peak cat behavior—and adored every second.
At home, Duthie has carefully crafted a space that accommodates both his needs and the whims of his furry roommates. Ironically, the biggest obstacles to his daily mobility aren’t steps or doorways—but Queenie and Spartacus, who have truly made themselves at home.
Still, Duthie wouldn’t have it any other way. He adores his companions so much he even wrote a children’s book inspired by Spartacus. Sure, they make things more… interesting. But for Duthie, these cats are more than pets—they’re family. A quirky, demanding, lovable family.