Let me start by saying that I don’t ask for help unless it’s thoroughly needed, and I’m out of other options. But right now, my cat Fig needs help more than my ego needs to avoid asking.

In 2018 or 2019, I had a side hustle walking dogs when I wasn’t in college classes. On one such walk, I heard the most pathetic, tiny little noises. It was spring, and I figured maybe it was a baby bird. It was not. It was a teeny, tiny, 0.75-pound tuxedo kitten. I scooped her up and took her home, and have had her ever since. She was the size of a Fig Newton when I found her, and I named her Fig Mewton because of it.

Fig has always been sickly - about once a year, she comes down with a mysterious illness and despite throwing every diagnostic tool available at her (ultrasounds, extensive blood work, medication trials, urinalysis, all of it) - we just cannot pinpoint what is wrong with my grumbly little cat. She’s seen dozens of vets across the country and we just can’t find the root of what is going on.

She’s very, very sick right now. So far, we have run a couple of CBC panels, a thyroid panel, a liver panel, and a GI/pancreatic panel. The blood work all shows inflammation or an infection, but we don’t know why or what specific organ has been affected.

My last hope is to try another abdominal ultrasound. It’s a steep cost, at about $620, and does not guarantee any results. If the abdominal ultrasound is inconclusive and she continues to decline, unfortunately, I truly believe that humane euthanasia may be the best option.

I’ve had a few friends ask if they can donate via GoFundMe for her remaining care, whether that be towards the ultrasound or (if worst comes to worst), the euthanasia. I get anxious about accepting help, but I know Fig deserves any test we can try before we decide it’s time to let her go. If you can donate, it would mean the world to me. If you know me in real life and want to trade tattoo or design work for money towards her care, I’m open to that, too.

It’s been gut-wrenching watching my poor girl suffer with no answers, but I can’t give up without just trying the last few options we have. And if those don’t work, she deserves the most peaceful passing I can give her.

Thank you to everyone who has shown up for us in this time. I love her, and I love all of the friends and community members that have rallied behind us. Thank you.

One last note: Lovet Pet Care on Bell Ridge has been an absolute life saver (quite literally) for us. Thank you so much, to our whole team, and to my best friend Brianna Rickard for staying strong for me and Fig when I can’t.