Ena, A Gift From God

Ena is a Japanese word that means a gift from God.

Ena is my gift from God. A blessing that appeared in my life when I needed it the most. She is hope embodied in one warm, kind, beautiful soul.

My name is Cassius. I am 22 years old. For the past 4 years I have been working to pay off the vet bills of my childhood dog, who we had to put down after 2 days of intensive care in the hospital. Two years ago, I was working three jobs, averaging 16 hrs of work almost every day, from 4am to 7pm. To say I was living like a machine was an understatement. Everyday, I wished that my body would break down so that I could be free of my daily toils.

I lost my grandpa, who I considered a second dad, to cancer when I was 8. I lost my other grandpa who I lived my entire life with when I was 12. When I was 14, I lost my father the day before thanksgiving. At 21, I lost my grandmother who was a second mother to me. I lost my childhood dog, Mya, shortly after.

My entire life, I've been surrounded by death. I wish I could tell you that it made me stronger. I wish I could sit here and rationally tell you that death is the natural conclusion to life. And, maybe you're right, maybe it is. But I would like, for once in my life, to keep someone that I love.

Ena was 6 weeks old when she came into my life. Never in a million years had I taken care of another life outside of my own. It was hard raising her due to my own anxieties but she was the kindest, most patient kitten that I could ever ask for. At a time where life felt pointless, she came in like a shining light, and gave my life purpose. I found myself looking forward to coming home, excited for the days ahead, because she was there.

I spent every hour outside of work with her. It took me a while before I could even imagine leaving her side. But together, we grew. For the last 2 years the trials and tribulations in my life have been tough but Ena has always been by my side. Her calm spirit keeps me grounded. Whenever I see her, I am reminded that there is a God, and he gave me the most precious being in the world to soothe my suffering.

Today, I was told that my blessing might not follow me into my future.

Ena has been sick for 3 days. It was sudden, as she was the definition of a healthy cat just the day before. It was a sudden illness, first diagnosed as a fever of unknown origin. Then, it was a suspected upper respiratory infection, and now-- we don't know. It could be a latent disease, it can be a severe virus, it could be anything. They need more and more to get a solid conclusion.

The amount of money it takes didn't matter to me. I'd pay any amount to keep her in my life, even if it meant being in debt for the rest of it. I tried my best but I can't get any more credit extensions and I don't have the money to pay out of pocket. Even with my two jobs, even while still working 15 hours a day, I still can't afford her. I cant afford to keep the most precious person in my life by my side.

I don't often reach out for help. She is my responsibility. I don't want to burden other's with this. And maybe, to some, this seems dramatic. Please understand that she is my reason for living. I genuinely don't know how I survived without her before. She is my everything, she is my child, she is my best friend, my princess, my life. I always tell her that she is the love of my life, and she is. I love her so much.

Please help me protect my gift from God.

In a world where everything has been taken away from me, she is the one soul that was given to me.

I can't imagine a life without her.

I need to keep her in my life.

Even a small amount makes all the difference. Thank you so much for listening to our story. I'm going to keep fighting with her for as long as I can, for as long as she's still giving it her all too.

$10,000 is for her hospital stay with oxygen support. 4,500 was the cost for her 3 day visit, 1,400 was for her in and out visits to the vet, prior to being taken to the ER. The remaining 4,000, and anything extra, will be used for any other support she may need.