In May 2016, Rose adopted Callie [and Winston] from her parents’ farm. Since then, Callie has been a beloved companion and an adored member of our family. She is a true diva, fully aware of her beauty, and she brings joy to everyone who meets her.
Callie has a personality all her own. She loves to watch cat TV, play fetch with plastic milk rings, sit in chairs like a human, and thoroughly knead the blankets before settling in. During the workday, Callie works from home as an honorary member of the Training Team at BHR (with Rose), bringing unique skills to the job such as stepping on keyboards, lounging on important papers, and providing emotional support to the team. At night, she loves to cuddle—often by draping herself over Rose’s or Craig’s head like a fluffy hat.
A few months ago, we noticed Callie was losing weight rapidly despite eating more than ever. After testing, we learned she has severe hyperthyroidism, which is making her metabolism work overtime and affecting her overall health in ways we are still trying to understand.
We tried the only medication available for cats with hyperthyroidism, and while it helped regulate her thyroid, it also caused painful sores on her face and liver toxicity, making it more harmful than helpful. This left us with only one option: radioactive iodine treatment, which essentially cures the disease and allows her to live a normal, healthy life.
The downside: The cost.
• The treatment itself is nearly $3,000
• Pre- and post-treatment bloodwork will cost at least $300 per test
• Additional costs include preliminary and follow-up appointments, a week-long isolation period for recovery, and travel to and from the vet clinic in Columbia, MO (2 hrs from home).
• We are estimating a total of $4,500-$5,000
This journey has been overwhelming, especially after the unexpected loss of our sweet baby cat Bison in January. But through it all, we have felt the love and support of our friends, family, and community.
Any amount helps, and even if you can’t donate, sharing this means the world to us. Thank you for being part of Callie’s story and helping us give her the life she deserves.
With love and gratitude,
Rose, Craig, Callie & Winston