<div>So many of you know Luke Skywalker, our best biscuit-making, super stylish, magnificent boss cat and ambassador of the Cativerse's kitty krew. Some of you also know that in some ways, Luke changed and perhaps even saved our lives. While you may be thinking, "How does a cat save someone's life?" -- we can tell you that the Cat Distribution System brought him to us as a light in the darkness. "Luke" actually means bright, white, bringer of light. And this bright, white, beautiful boy came to us just weeks after losing our son to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, right in the middle of the pandemic. He gave us a new focus, a hope for the future, and a way to channel grief into love.
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<div>That being said, Luke was born with spina bifida; therefore, he is disabled and fully incontinent, yet he has been a perfect part of our family. Because of him and the joy he's brought to us, we have chosen through the years to adopt many other "perfectly imperfect" (aka disabled) fur babies. Babies cast off, disregarded, and unwanted by countless others; people looking for a "perfect" pet who doesn't have any <em>extra</em> needs. We love our crazy cat life of diapers and stair gates, carrying them up and down stairs, even messes from time to time (well, more often than that!). But this doesn't come without costs though--costs we willingly give. Time, attention, modifications to the home, one-on-one daily care, medical issues, and of course the biggest cost: money.
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<div>Luke is an overall healthy boy with no medical issues besides his disability/deformity. But unfortunately, it comes along with the territory that a cat who is incontinent is more prone to urinary issues. Last year he almost died from urosepsis from a runaway urinary tract infection and spent many days in the hospital. And he beat it. But fast forward to this year: several more urinary tract infections seemingly successfully treated or so we thought. The fact is, however, there was more than met the eye. This repeated assault on Luke's body created a condition that has become more chronic. Infections which appeared to have gone away, had not. This caused trauma to his urinary system and kidneys. <strong>He's been in the hospital for the past two days in critical condition.</strong>
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<div><strong>The doctors have said his situation is grave and cannot yet say if he'll pull through. But we've said he MUST.</strong> We won't stop until we've tried everything. So far it's run the gamut: X-rays, ultrasounds, urine cultures, repeated bloodwork, IV medications, fluids, heat support, oxygen, and round-the-clock medical care are just some of what he's needed.
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<div>So we humbly ask for your support. For those of you who follow us on social media, you may also know we lost our beautiful tortie Jamie to FIP, despite having been treating her for 10 days. And exactly a week later, lost my heart kitty Cllarice, a spicy and sweet Devon Rex who we initially thought had FIP, but ultimately it was probably something else even more severe. She'd also been in the hospital for days and arrested in the wonderful doctor's arms. CPR was to no avail. They kept her alive long enough for us to say goodbye. If we're being honest, we still have not recovered from those losses (or expenses).
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<div>So far we have exceeded the initial estimate for Luke and don't have any idea how many more days he'll be in the ICU. We know the amount we are asking for is a BIG ask, and we do know what we've gotten into with taking on these very special babies--we went into it with eyes open. But we also know that if we didn't, who would? We wouldn't even want to add up all we've spent through the years, including the heartache and losses aside from monetary. But what we do know at the moment, is that this particular incident is oppressive. <strong>We humbly ask for help. And every little bit adds up.</strong>
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<div>We thank you all in advance for your consideration of our plea, your assistance either monetary or even by sharing this post, your love for what we do for these babies, and for your love of Luke. Please know this isn't easy for us to ask. But we are so grateful for all of you!
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Susan Fussell

Michele Arceo-Natera

Joanne Gill

Jason Guffey

Susie Q Smith

Barbara McAfee

Debra Truax

Angel Stout

Leanne Cain

Sheila Averill

Barbara Costa

Robyn Smith

Michele Sutherland

Stacy Keller

Jessica Seppala

Anonymous

Brook Shafer

Help Luke Skywalker Fight for His Life

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