I don’t even know how to put into words what we were told today. I’m writing this with tears running down my face and the inability to understand.

You all know our beloved cat, Vlady. Everyone says they have the perfect animal but he really is the perfect cat. He knows when the kids are sick, when someone needs support, and always is in my lap on days I feel really awful or am home from surgery. He is our soulmate; our once in a lifetime companion. He is truly an angel in a fluffy body.

This morning, Vlady was diagnosed with an aggressive oral tumor and given 3-6 months to live. As a former oncology/hospice vet tech this is my greatest fear come to life and is the worst diagnosis we could have been given. We were offered options such as radiation and aggressive surgery and after talking to my vet, it was decided a tumor removal of what we can see and palliative care is the best route for him. If we do not choose to operate, he has about 1.5 months. This is our greatest nightmare and we are completely gutted.

Our vet has offered a very generous plan to debulk the tumor and offer support in the cost of $1790. They have been so supportive in understanding I myself am in treatment and for something like this to happen to our family is another heavy blow both emotionally and financially.

It was hard telling my kids I was sick, but this is so much worse.

If you are able, please help me get him to surgery in the next week. The removal of whatever we can get to buys us a little more time before the disease progresses to a critical point.

Even $1.00 can help cover vet costs and to say we would be grateful is an understatement.

How do we talk about the impact a 16 pound bowling ball full of love has made on each of us and those who know him? Every time I couldn’t open my eyes from pain, he was there. The kids had an experience they couldn’t talk about but felt, he was there, not moving, giving them love. Every animal we rescued or watched, he was there. He is the best. There’s no other description I can give.

Please help us offer him the best course of treatment we can to give him some time. He is our heart and soul of the house and there are no words to express our devastation and we are beyond grateful to whatever anyone can offer to help.