Help Percy Get Better!

Alright friends - Percy and Paul/Preflash need a little bit of help! If you'd like to donate to get some tests done (minimum $1000) to figure out what's wrong with Percy, and who knows how much for treatment once he has some answers, here's the GoFundMe link. This kitty has been sick for a few weeks and details are below.

I know there are a lot of people out there who love these two guys and wanted to help get something organized. Paul doesn't like to ask for help so please show him some love - every dollar matters! If you can't afford to help right now, please send lots of love to Percy. He's still pretty young and we want to see him live many more years!

Here's a link to the story that brought many of you to this Facebook page from 2017 when Percy went for the ride of his life under the truck:

MPR News Story about Percy

Words From Percy's Dad (Paul Preflash Gordon Robertson):

I'm having a lovely Labor Day weekend but I'm also a bit worried about Percy. He's been sick for weeks now, first with an upper respiratory tract infection that left him rasping and sniffly; and then - after that finally went away, now with staggering and dizziness. He's still perky, still interested in eating, still happy to snuggle and purr ... but he's also noticeably thinner than his usual self and he's spending a lot of time snoozing. (Poor guy ... I imagine the disorienting dizziness would make anyone want to just sleep until it goes away.)

We've been to the vet. I'm told that the URT infection thing is a kind of 'cat herpes' ... kittens and young cats get it and then it never leaves for the rest of their lives. There's no cure for it, and no reliable treatment either - you just have to wait it out. That was fine when it was sniffles; but the dizziness is hard to watch. So we went back the other day and had him checked again. They want to do a bunch of tests but they're expensive, so I'm waiting for 10 days until I can afford them. The tests are to rule out blood pressure, tumors, and a bunch of other things that can cause dizziness apart from the virus. *sigh* It's no fun watching the little guy struggle. But they gave me a list of things to watch out for. And if things get worse, they have a late-night emergency room I can take him to.

But you know ... I have to face it too. Percy is 11 going on 12, and he's not a baby boy anymore. The vet told me his eyesight is noticeably not at its best; and his teeth are worn down; and his claws are starting to get stuck on things, not retracting as springily as they used to. I remember these things in other cats I've lived with over the years. It's age. This little boy is at the point now where he's nearer the end than the beginning. Don't get me wrong ... I don't think he's about the kick the bucket just yet. But it's just a reminder the time only travels in one direction, and it is the way with our furry friends that, in the end, we outlive them.

Meantime, Percy snuggles with me in bed every night and is there when I wake up. He purrs loudly when I hold him, and digs his claws into my shoulder, holding on to dad with a fierce, beautiful little love. He's a very good boy, and I tell him so. Many many times, over and over. We're both relishing the time we have left together, whether it be short or long. It's all anybody can do. With anyone.