Dean showed up in our lives unexpectedly, emerging from a bush at a summer camp where I was working. He was tiny, covered in fleas, and clearly needed help. We brought him home just to clean him up, not knowing that this little kitten was about to change everything.

With his loud meows demanding food and attention, Dean quickly stole our hearts. Even our other cat, Milli, welcomed him almost immediately—grooming him as if she knew he was meant to stay. From that moment on, Dean was family.

As time went on, we noticed Dean wasn’t gaining weight—he was actually losing it. After a vet visit, we were told it might be due to increased activity. Still, something didn’t feel right. We continued advocating for him, and he was prescribed treatment while we searched for answers.

Then everything changed. Dean began acting differently—he had little energy, struggled to move, and wasn’t himself, especially during feeding time, which was always his favorite part of the day. Despite our efforts and multiple vet visits, Dean’s condition worsened, and heartbreakingly, he passed away.

We are now hoping to raise $2,000 to help cover the medical costs from Dean’s care. A portion of the funds raised will also be donated to research for feline illnesses, in hopes that other cats and families may one day have clearer answers and better outcomes.

Dean was more than a cat—he was a fighter, a love bug, and a deeply cherished part of our family. If you’re able to support us in honoring his life, even in a small way, it would mean the world to us.