Cleo - The Kitty Who Chose Me.

My name is Marissa. 8 years ago, my dad and I went to rescue a kitten. We ended up with two because a little black and white one had walked right up to me and chosen me. I ended up naming her Cleo. Cleo and her bonded cat buddy, Milo, ended up becoming my family and stayed close to me when I moved out of state. Even after my dad's death, they stayed closer than ever. Cleo had auto immune disease and a heart condition very similar to my own. She went back to the hospital from time to time to monitor and stabilize her condition so that she could live a happy life which she did. But then one day, she stopped eating. I boiled up some chicken for her and did everything I could think of. She even refused the temptations treats. I brought her to the vet and they gave her a transfusion immediately. After that, her blood seemed to stabilize so I was ready to bring her home. Upon doing a recheck, her levels went down again, showing that her body was killing its own red blood cells and whatever was given to her. I rushed her to another animal hospital who had blood available. They did a transfusion. She perked up. Then went downhill.

The day before thanksgiving, I held Cleo in my arms in the Rainbow Room. I got over myself so that my kitty did not have to die alone. As I held her in my arms, she died. I barely made it home that day. And actually got a speeding ticket in the mail because I was trying to rush to the hospital just to get to her in time. It is no excuse to speed, but I guess we are all human... and make mistakes.

Cleo is no longer here with us. I know I have a substantial debt that is due for trying to help her, but I wouldn't have gone back and changed anything. I would fight for her life any day. I don't like asking for help or money, in fact, that's one thing i'm notoriously bad at. Even as a teacher. I try to just do everything on my own. But right now, I am in a very difficult spot trying to recover from this both emotionally and financially.

I appreciate any support you can give.