On February 28th I had to make the most difficult decision to say goodbye to my beloved best friend, loyal guardian, and cherished familiar. A few months prior, Iggy developed an oronasal fistula which then led to an aggressive tumor that developed very quickly and with the tumor’s placement and his age, surgery was simply not realistic which is why this heart wrenching choice became necessary.

Unfortunately the cost of the vet bills really wreaked havoc on my financial situation, which is why I’m in the embarrassing position of making this GoFundMe... something I've never had to do before. On top of how difficult it was to lose my best friend, I had to try and make up the thousands I spent on vet bills in order to try to catch up and stay afloat financially and after many weeks of trying to do it alone and struggling I finally decided to start this GFM in case anyone is able to help.

No pressure at all, and I wouldn't want anyone to give who doesn't have the funds to spare, but really anything helps so if you're able then thank you so much. Below is the statement I shared over on my instagram after taking so many weeks to finally be able to break the news to everyone:

This is the post I always knew I would have to make one day, and lived in such fear of.

My magnificent little soulmate, Iggy took his final breath on February 28th. He went peacefully at the vet’s office after several days of visits from the people he loved most, and all of his favorite foods including the forbidden snacks he usually wasn’t allowed to eat.

The decision to euthanize, was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but an aggressive tumor was quickly robbing him of his quality of life, and I felt it was better to hold him as he began his journey rather than him possibly dying alone and in pain while I was at work.

Iggy was my first cat ever, I picked him up just after he had turned 4 months old and from that point forward he became my universe.

Iggy brought balance to my life in that while I’m very sensitive and sentimental, he was strong and fearless. I often think it was because of this dynamic that he appointed himself as my guardian. A job he took to heart until the very end.

I never knew animals were capable of such profound love until he came into my life. Without the use of language he emanated sarcasm at all times and used it to motivate me. He had a way of being intolerant of my sadness that would cause me to break into laughter no matter how dim my inner light. Yet, during the darkest of eras he would take on the most gentle demeanor and post himself up like a gargoyle whose sole occupation it was to keep me safe.

What inspired me most was how fully he knew the value of his presence. An energy he imposed with such veracity that I turned all of my apartments into shrines to him, and got his image tattooed in several places on my body. He was so image conscious that he kept immaculate fur his entire life. He never slowed down, he never lost his youthful spirit. He was full of bursting energy down to our very last breakfast together, as if he refused to concede the fight to old age.

Farewell Iggy Boy. I’ll guard the paw prints you left on my heart until the day comes when I can leave the post of life, and hold you once again.

R.I.P Iggy 2008-2026