Gigi, whose full name is Glitch but lovingly goes by Gigi, is truly our 'firstborn.' My partner and I adopted him together during the 2020 COVID closures, and he’s been with us through so much. We don’t have children, so Gigi is our family—he’s the sweetest boy and brings so much joy and comfort to our lives every day.

Last night, we noticed Gigi was shaking his head and pawing at his ear. After a closer look, we discovered he has an aural hematoma in his left ear. It got larger and more purple overnight, and we learned that if it isn’t treated soon, he could lose hearing in that ear and suffer permanent damage. It’s heartbreaking to see him in pain, and we want to do everything we can to help him heal.

Unfortunately, we’re in a tough financial spot right now due to several unexpected expenses, and we simply can’t afford the surgery on our own. The funds raised will go directly to Gigi’s ear surgery so he can get the care he needs. I know it’s asking a lot to seek donations, especially this time of year, but if anybody is able to help—even by sharing— it would mean the world to us. Thank you for reading Gigi’s story and for any support you can offer.