Hi, I’m Heather. For over 15 years, I’ve been refinishing and restoring furniture on Long Island with my husband, Pete. Our family business has always been about saving what’s worth keeping.

Last week, our 17-month-old kitty suddenly got very sick. He’s such a special little guy, full of personality, and we rushed him to the emergency vet.

It turned out he had a urinary tract blockage — his urine was crystallizing due to struvite crystals. He had to be sedated, catheterized, and hospitalized for two days to save his life.

The total bill for his care was $3,280 (I’ll include a photo of the statement for transparency). On top of that, we’ve had to buy prescription food, add a second larger litter box and special litter, and get him a new fountain to keep him hydrated. It’s all worth it for his health, but it’s been a heavy hit.

We’ve had a year full of unexpected expenses — dental work, car repairs, and other large vet bills for our 14-year-old dog — all while carrying a big monthly overhead and preparing to transition our family business from full-time to part-time. The timing of this emergency has been especially tough.

Our goal is simply to try and get help to cover his $3,280 vet bill. If we’re fortunate enough to go over, anything extra will go toward his ongoing prescription food, supplies, and care.

I’ll be honest: asking for help like this is not easy for me. I’ve always just pushed through, figuring things out on my own. But sometimes life piles up, and I’ve learned that letting people in isn’t weakness — it’s community.

I know so many people face challenges far bigger than this. But if you’ve ever loved a pet, you know how quickly an emergency like this can turn your world upside down. Any bit of help — whether it’s a donation, a share, or even just kind words — means more than I can say.

Thank you for helping us keep our boy healthy and happy. I’ll post updates along the way, including photos of him (his healing days, his goofy side, and today drinking proudly from his new fountain).

With gratitude,

Heather and Pete