Hi friends, family, and kind strangers,

I never imagined I’d be writing something like this. Just a month ago, I had to say goodbye to my sweet girl, Henley Shirt, and now I’m trying to navigate both the heartbreak of losing her and the overwhelming cost of the care she received in her final days.

Henley was only 3.5 years old, far too young to leave me behind. Any cat owner knows they want their babies to live forever. She was my first cat, my baby, and my best friend. She had the goofiest personality, was motivated by food (always the first to run to the kitchen) OR get in the trash, and loved nothing more than curling up in my arms (or on my chest) for snuggles. Her love was unconditional, and my home feels unbearably quiet without her.

Just a short time ago, Henley suddenly became very sick. In only 48 hours, we rushed from emergency vets to multiple hospitals and even surgery, desperately trying to give her a chance. The vets discovered she had carcinomatosis, an aggressive cancer causing severe fluid buildup in her abdomen.

I would have paid anything to keep her alive, but unfortunately the kindest thing I could do was let her cross the rainbow bridge while holding her paw in my hand.

Henley leaves behind me and her sister, Laya Round, who has been struggling deeply with her loss. She misses Henley so much that she now needs anxiety medication to cope with the sudden change. Watching her grieve alongside me has been heartbreaking.

While I would give anything to have Henley back, I am now faced with the crushing weight of her medical bills. Over those two days, costs quickly added up to more than $12,000. I have already paid $6,000 out of pocket on my own, but as a full-time graduate student working only part-time, I simply cannot cover the remaining $6,000 without help.

Asking for help is not easy for me, but Henley meant the world to me. She deserved every chance I could give her, and I would do it all again for her. Now, I’m humbly reaching out to ask if you can help me carry the financial side of this loss.

Every single donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Even if you are unable to give, simply sharing Henley’s story means the world to me.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping me honor my baby girl.

With love and gratitude,

Alex and Laya <3