Beautiful beings, I am coming to you asking for assistance in helping my sweet baby, Veda. She has a salivary mucocele, which basically is a salivary gland(s) that become filled with fluid and create swelling where they occur. It’s very rare but treatable. We have been working with our vet to drain the mucocele, but it continues to return even larger each time. It has now reached a point where it is taking up the entire right side of Veda’s face and under her chin. She can no longer eat dry food. And, without treatment, it will eventually affect her airway and breathing. According to the surgeon, without treatment, my baby only has a few months left. The only curative option is surgery. And, as we all know, that is quite costly.

I do not take asking for help lightly. The world is an unsure place right now, and I know we are all struggling. The need for reaching out to you all is predicated by the fact that after losing my job following hurricane Helene, unable to find consistent work in the months that followed, finally after finding a full-time job, I broke my foot and completely ruptured my lis franc ligament last July. This left me incapacitated and unable to work. And, I have been unemployed since, as I try to find employment during my recovery and able to accommodate my new limitations. I am finally back to work as of a week ago, but we are already so far behind and funds are completely depleted. I am literally starting over.

For those of you not familiar with our story, Veda and I found each other eleven years ago in a wonderfully serendipitous way. I was back in NJ, living in a not ideal living situation, and a friend back in NC asked if I could help a woman in NJ who had found this kitten living in a drainpipe near her apartment. I didn’t have much, but I knew I could give her love and a home. When Veda and I met, it was an instant soul bond. Janice, the woman who rescued her and brought her to me, notes that connection even to this day. And, for a long time it was just me and my little Veda against the world. We saved each other, and I truly believe we are soulmates. The past decade, her and I have had quite a rough time of it, but no matter what, Veda, her sissy Maeve, and me have made our way together. It’s now, in her later years, that we have found the peace and home that has always seemed to elude us. And, even better, we have made that with someone who loves them as much as I do. Veda has never loved or trusted anyone, besides me, the way she does Nelson. She now has a mom and dad who love and adore her. And, she spends her days being lovingly spoiled. It is my fervent hope, that with your help, she can enjoy her twilight years in bliss in our happy little family. I think she deserves that more than anything.

I completely understand if folks can’t personally donate, but if you can, please just share this as much as you can. If we can reach as many people as we can, if enough people just even donate $5 or $10, we can save Veda’s life. It would mean everything to all of us. I would be profoundly grateful, and would help you in turn in any way I can.

The world feels so heavy right now. And, it is. But, I think amidst all the destruction and evil, we are truly forging true connection. We are collectively celebrating that we are miracles living on that blue speck of dust suspended in a sunbeam. We are everywhere but apart from each other. As Ram Dass said, “We’re all just walking each other home.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for donating. Thank you for being willing to fight for Veda. I love you all.

P.S. I will be including images of the surgeon’s notes and the quote for the pre-surgery CT scan, and the quote for the surgery as I get it. The quote for the CT is sitting at about $2,000-$3,000; and surgery is estimated to between $4,500-$7,000. I am reaching out to other organizations, but many like Asheville Cat Weirdos have closed funds at the moment. I do not qualify for care credit or scratch pay. I will keep updating if I receive alternate funds from non-profits.