Help me save my cat Hatschepsut, please.

Hello, I am Horst Steiner and I am asking for help with my cat Hatschepsut’s lifesaving medical procedure. She came to me several years ago, and I had made a promise to her, that I would provide medical care for her to the best of my abilities. It has come time to make good on that vow.

About a year ago, the light of my life fell ill. Hatschepsut has lost ¼ of her body weight due to a hyperactive thyroid gland and her life is in danger. We have been able to control the symptoms on a limited scale with medicine, yet her metabolism is still too high, affecting the function of her other organs. There is a procedure to reverse the illness. Hatschepsut has begun her treatment but the costs are rising rapidly. Every dollar helps her heal.

“Are you Hatschepsut?” was one of the first questions I asked my new bushy-tailed acquaintance after her most surprising arrival on my doorstep. The late pharaoh's name had been on my mind since my recent visit to the Egyptian Museum. Kitty cat's eyes lit up and she performed a little dance of joy around my legs. I felt in my heart, this dance was her answer and not a coincidence. I had to be sure. “Are you Pooky?” I asked, and the brilliant expression and bright eyes vanished. In their stead appeared a solemn look to the ground, as she stood frozen in place. A man of science, I thought to repeat the process twice more. And all three times her answer-in-dance was the same: “Yes, I am Hatschepsut.” When I look at the above photo I took of Hatschepsut the sphynx, I see the resemblance.

Hatschepsut and I joyfully recognized the intelligent individual that lay within the other. It was in the first two weeks when she taught me her ability to communicate her choice of meal; tuna, chicken or treats. In turn, I demonstrated to her my ability to read her language that had no words. I was able to communicate to this new soul in my life, that I recognized her needs, her desires, and that they were equally important to my own.

Mother Nature may not have given her speech, but my bushy-tailed companion certainly could understand mine. The first time her paws made contact with a tabletop, I asked her very kindly to stay off the tables, because I could get sick from the germs on her paws. She responded with a look of great concern and never climbed up on the furniture again. My heart was filled with joy. I was experiencing true, undiluted love.

From the moment of our first encounter, neither Hatschepsut nor I have felt an instant of anger or disappointment towards each other. Our feelings are genuine. Every single interaction between us is a symbol of our love and mutual respect.

Both, kitty cat and I, have recognized that within this other, very differently abled being, lays an individual whose life follows the same basic principles. We each have our own hopes and dreams, we share in many ways our morality, and our desire to bring joy to the other. Like her namesake before her, my cat Hatschepsut is a beacon for equality and peace.

It soon became clear that playing “chase the string” or begging for treats was not what this little kitty cat was about. There was an air of intelligence, empathy and love surrounding Hatschepsut’s every action. At no point would she want to offend me, nor would I her.

In our search for shared activities, we soon discovered a game I call “photo session.” It is preceded by a careful grooming regimen and when Hatschepsut steps in front of the lens like a superstar, she is truly camera-ready. I could say instructions such as “find the lens” or “find the light” and Hatschepsut would act accordingly. The quality of images my little companion and I would achieve was so great, I self-published a coffee-table book of famous quotes about cats, with her as the star.

Please help me raise the money to save my little pharaoh’s life, we have another book to make together and many years of love to share. If you’re not in a place to donate, that’s okay, maybe you would be so kind and share this on your social media with others.