Meet my sweet Dahlia, a tiny kitten and a big lover girl who came into my life unexpectedly and changed it for the better. My daughter got a text from her friend Maddie who was working overtime at the animal shelter in Milwaukee to get Dahlia adopted. She’s been at the shelter for over a month looking for her forever home. I left work early that day & drove straight there and before I knew it, I was signing the adoption papers as I held her while she purred on my chest and tried to chew my hair!! I thought I was adopting a kitty who needed love. Never did I expect she’d be the one giving so much of it back to me, her sister Daisy, and every human she encounters :)

It was known that she was born with eyelid agenesis, a rare condition where her eyelids did not fully form. When I adopted her, they let us know it was a tricky diagnosis, but not one that would require specialized care. When I took her to the vet for a check-up, they let me know the urgency of Dahlia’s situation and her risk of going blind. Every day, I give her eye drops and gently clean discharge from her eyes just to keep her comfortable. I had to travel to meet specialized veterinarians at UW-Madison multiple times these past few months for appointments and careful monitoring. We have finally scheduled her eye surgery for March 24th as she is now big enough to handle the procedure. Every day without treatment causes this sweet girl pain and puts her at risk for serious eye damage and eventual blindness.

A specialized reconstructive surgery can give Dahlia the chance to live comfortably and protect her vision. However, this procedure will cost $4,000–$5,000; far more than I can handle on my own. I will also be taking off a full week of work to provide her 24/7 care and snuggles while she heals over the next few weeks.

Through it all, Dahlia remains gentle, loving, and full of life and energy. I am asking for help today because I believe that she deserves a life of comfort, healing, and future where she can see and enjoy the world around her. Every donation, share, and kind thought helps bring Dahlia closer to the pain-free life she deserves. Her older sister kitty Daisy and myself thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness. <3