Buddy is my 11-year-old cat, my shadow, my comfort, my little heartbeat with paws. He’s lived his whole life glued to my side, snuffling and sneezing, battling chronic respiratory issues no vet has ever properly diagnosed. We’ve seen seven different clinics and specialists. We’ve done every “basic” test they offer. And every time, when the answers don’t come easily, the conversation pivots to something unbearable: euthanasia.

They look at his age and not at his spirit.

They look at his symptoms and not at his resilience.

They look at numbers on a sheet, not at the cat who still eats, plays, purrs, and curls into my arms every night.

As of the time I am writing this, Buddy is not ready to go. He’s still full of life.

What he needs is someone to finally look deeper.

Recently, he’s begun having recurrent nosebleeds, swelling around one tear duct, and worsening congestion symptoms. Nothing violent, but enough to frighten him—and me. Enough that I can’t sleep without checking on his breathing. Enough that every sneeze feels like a countdown.

I’m not looking to prolong suffering. I’m trying to prevent it. I’m so desperately trying to find the answer to this problem, and I have been for almost two years.

What Buddy needs now are the tests I’ve been begging for from the beginning:

• Full allergy panel

• Dental/imaging evaluation

• Rhinoscopy or nasal scoping

• Advanced imaging (CT/MRI if recommended)

• Biopsy or culture to rule out chronic infection or cancer

• A targeted treatment plan instead of “watch and wait” or “keep him comfortable until he dies.”

These tests are expensive.

And after months, years, of repeated appointments that led nowhere… I simply cannot cover everything alone.

This fund will go directly toward getting every diagnostic done in the same visit as I can—so we can stop circling the same dead ends and finally get an answer that helps Buddy breathe, sleep, and live comfortably again.

Buddy isn’t “just old.” He isn’t “declining.”

He’s fighting. And as long as he’s fighting, so am I.

If you can help—whether by donating, sharing, or simply sending kindness—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Buddy has given me so much love over the years. I just want the chance to give him the care he’s always deserved.

—Michelle & Buddy

♡