40th Birthday Fundraiser to Support Rescue Pets

This year I'm turning the big 4-0 on September 4th and I'm hoping to get your support to make my birthday wish come true. Cats have played a very special role in my life, particularly in the last four years, and this year I would like to give other kitties like Milo, my current feline companion, a fighting chance and the opportunity to find a loving home by supporting Straight Outta Rescue, a wonderful volunteer-run animal rescue and charity based in Vancouver, Canada.

 

I decided to adopt Milo after the passing of my beloved cat Nimbus, who died in January 2023. Nimbus came into my life when I met my partner Alex in January 2020 and I took him with me when Alex took his own life in June 2021. I cannot begin to explain the devastation that I felt after losing both of them in such a short period.

After losing my partner, Nimbus became the greatest gift in the midst of so much tragedy and loss and he introduced me to a type of love and companionship completely unknown to me until then, becoming my main emotional support to navigate grief and trauma. Nimbus and I had lost the same person, our person, and I felt no one could understand how I felt but him. We were bonded by tragedy, and by love and hope to have a happy life together. During our time living together, we only had a few simple rules: 

 

 

In November 2022, Nimbus started to display signs of illness. He was first diagnosed with pancreatitis and shortly after, he lost corneal reflex on his left eye, indicating nerve damage, which led to a CT scan that ended up revealing an aggressive tumor in his head. On January 15th, 2023, I had to put him down and tell myself the following story to endure the pain: the time had come to return Nimbus to Alex. And the painful realization that I would have to continue my grief journey on my own, now grieving for two losses.    

 

After Nimbus' death, I felt more than alone. I felt incomplete like someone had severed a part of my body. We were intertwined. He was a part of me, a part of Alex, and a part of our story. I couldn't imagine how anything could ever fill the void that Nimbus had left, let alone another pet. But grief and my relationship with Nimbus taught me that even though we grow through pain, in the end, we heal through love. And more importantly, we also heal in relationships. So I decided to adopt Milo "the cat who loves love" as his profile read. And when I got him I realized that he had no shoes to fill because he's awesome in his own way. Milo filled my home with love, laughter, and hope. And I believe deep in my heart that pets heal the humans they bond with. 

 

So this year please don't send me any birthday cards or gifts and instead use that money to support Straight Outta Rescue. Any donation helps, no matter how small. This fundraiser will remain open until the end of my birthday week, which is Sunday, September 8th. You can also help by opening your home to fostering. New homes are always in great need.  

 

This is my third GoFundMe campaign. The two first ones were born out of tragedy. The first one was to support Alex's family and me after his passing and the second one was to be able to afford Nimbus' CT scan and the non-stop hefty vet bills during his illness. This is the first time I get to organize a campaign from a place of joy and gratitude and that's the sentiment that I want to carry into my 40s. So thank you in advance for taking the time to read my story.