Sexuality Happens

I trust you all remember my sweet cat Athena, who I lost back in December. She had an undetected heart murmur and despite the vet’s best efforts, and my own selfishness in wanting her with me, I eventually had to tell them to stop trying to revive her, and to let her move on.

I spent most of yesterday at the animal hospital with my new cat Kali. She’d been throwing up whole pieces of dry food all morning, and then starting throwing up water and liquid.  The vet I called was very worried, so I brought her in.  X-rays showed that her intestines are piling up on themselves, which is usually indicative of a blockage.  The ER was (by this time) on “emergency hours” and couldn’t do an ultra sound until the next day.  The vet put her on fluids for 90 minutes until they closed, and told me to bring her back in the AM.  They will take more x-rays, and probably send me for an ultrasound…if it hasn’t gotten better, or has gotten worse, they will need to operate. If it’s any better, then she has to stay there for a day or two on fluids (she keeps throwing up, so can’t keep anything down), and then they’ll re-evaluate from there.

I am in debt. I’ve been jobless (like many people) for six months, despite applying for almost 400 positions.  I hurt my ankle in July, and paid thousands out of pocket for that.  I just got a $650 MRI bill for my knees. I’m terrified of losing my apartment in a month or two. Athena’s care cost over $1000.

All that, I could handle. I have cut down on everything I can think of. I’m eating ramen and store brand pasta for most meals.

However, this is the life of a family member. I have no partner(s). I don’t get along with my mother and sister. My father died when I was 13, my grandmother and uncle died in 2008. My aunt and uncle and five cousins live in Israel, my grandfather has had 3 heart attacks and lives in Florida. I don’t ever want children. My cats ARE my family.  We spend large amounts of time together, we have disagreements, but we also have unconditional love for each other.  So to me, saving Kali is like saving my child.

No, the shelter will not pay for the surgery – they had a 14 day health policy, it has been long than that. No, my mother will not help me out.

No, I am not doing this just for me.  Kali, according to the vet, is not in any pain, except when her stomach is pressed on. She is still active, running around the apartment with her satellite-like plastic collar to keep her from biting her catheter.  She’s actually cuddling with me right now as I write this. Her temperament has not changed one smidgen.  If it is a blockage, once it’s removed, she should be absolutely fine.  No residual medical issues, no tubes, no medication. Her quality of life would be back to normal.  So no, I’m not just hanging onto her for me.

I know many people are in my position financially. I completely understand.  However, if you have a few spare bucks…even just a few dollars, I’d really appreciate your help. I’ve done my absolute best to keep this blog 100% free. Yes, I have affiliate programs, but I don’t let advertisers post all over my page, though goddess knows I need the money. I try to do lots of cool contests and giveaways to give back to YOU, my readers. I will do my best to always keep my morals and ethics as part of my blog, and to give back. However, I spend much time on my blog – writing, reading, tweaking things, etc.  If you don’t like cats, but like what I have to say, that’s a good reason too. Anything would help at this point. Here is the button to click through to paypal.

I know this may seem silly to some, going further into debt (keeping in mind that I never carried a balance on a single card until October 2008, and that I had enough money for a down payment on a house last year until I decided to move back to Denver) for a cat. That’s fine.  But I cannot emotionally handle losing another one of my babies. Not two months apart. I cannot do that.  So I will do everything I can to save her. And even if (cross your fingers) she doesn’t need the surgery, there are still hundreds I owe from today, more from tomorrow, and Athena’s debt. I own my debt, it is my own. However, if you love cats, and me (or at least my writing), I’d love any help you can give.