Hi guys my name is Dani, and to some people I am DastardlyDani. If you follow me on stream or insta you probably know a lot about me already. Most of my friends and family already know I am very passionate about many things but there is one being in particular I would give me whole life to and that's my old man Pepper. Estimated to be 18-19 years of age, with one eye, tummy issues, FIV+ and with skin cancer.

I found Pepper as I was visiting my parents from college around 2014, I saw him every weekend under a service truck huddled in an uncomfortable position basically waiting to die. But my old man, he's a fighter. I approached him one of those fateful weekends and attempted to give him food and water, he was barely receptive and would barely eat. He was skin and bones, his fur patchy, his mouth swollen and drooling, his eyes barely open. I endearingly use to call him "raggedy man". One of the weekends I went to visit as always I once again offered him food and water but this time he refused both, and I immediately started to cry. He was giving up. I cried all day, my visit to my parents was just them consoling me for a cat I never held. My dad's sympathetic nature got the best of him and he lent me some money to take him to the vet. As you can imagine, a college student like me at the time didn't have much.

I stayed next to that service truck for hours since 6AM trying to coax him into a carrier without hurting him. Around 8AM a lady drove by me and stopped her car asking me if I was trying to save him, which I replied eagerly that I was. She stated that he belonged to a house nearby, and that maybe they could help. When I knocked on their door I asked about the cat under the truck, he replied "oh you mean Pepper? yeah he's mine, my cat a litter of kittens and now they are all over the neighborhood". I stated that he was sick and he replied with confirmation that he knew, so I had asked if I could take him to the vet and he replied with "you can keep him". He then helped me put pepper into a carrier and our journey together began.

The vet couldn't tell how old he was so they suspected about 9-10 years old at the time. He use to sleep in my bathroom, sitting up, and I would brush his hair and sing him songs. Eventually we treated his mouth and he began to eat again and he has been my miracle and the vessel of my love which I pour unconditionally to everyday. The vet is still in awe that he is alive, energetic, and full of sass.

As mentioned earlier, he does have skin cancer specifically Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), it is treatable but a bit expensive and due to the job market I do not have the funds I use to have. I know we are all collectively struggling, I know we all have to take care of ourselves first, but if you can, and are able to help us with this procedure, you will be part of this journey of survival and love that we have paved so far. I will be eternally grateful that you have helped us continue our journey for a bit longer. Because time is always fleeting, and we will always wish for more time with our loved ones. If you do donate thank you for granting me more time with my old man.