On February 15th, Leo was diagnosed with liposarcoma - a cancerous tumor of the fat cells. This started in late December when we noticed a small bump on his side, which we quickly got checked out by our vet. At that first appointment, they took a small amount of cells from the area via a needle and only found white blood cells. Leo was placed on an antibiotic, and we watched him for two weeks. The tumor grew during this time. We took him back to the vet, who recommended we go in for surgery to remove and biopsy the mass. Unfortunately, this surgery was postponed THREE times. The first was because there was a small ice storm in Austin, so we moved it to the following week. Then, at 7 am, we got a call that the vet had an emergency, and we were postponed another week. The following week, we dropped him off, and 30 minutes later, we got a call to pick him up as the surgeon had yet another emergency. At this point, it had been over a month since we noticed the lump originally, and it had grown from a marble to tennis ball size. We moved to another vet, and finally, he got the surgery to remove the mass. The day after Valentine's, we got the call that his mass was cancerous, and they weren't able to remove all of it. We've since seen 2 veterinary oncologists and have ended up at the only veterinary radiologist in the Austin area and beyond.

The next step is to get a CT scan followed by 18 treatments of radiation. Dropping him off Monday through Friday until all treatments are complete. This comes out to just under $11,000.

I picked Leo out from a PetSmart in 2014 when I was 22. He is my first pet. My sweet companion that has been through so, so, so much with me. He's lived in many houses and with many different pets. Leo has been a huge source of love in my life as I've gone through some of the most intense periods coming into my adult self. He's 10 years old and has so much more life in him. He continues to eat, poop, play, and cuddle. Other than the cancer living inside of him, he is healthy and happy (except when we put him in the crate for vet visits).

No matter what, we're going to do what it takes to give him the best chance at a long life.

My partner Mike & I just got engaged. We're at the beginning stages of wedding planning and preparing for what our future family might become. We are extremely lucky to live a comfortable life. $11,000 is not something we have on hand. We are grateful for family that has come forward and offered their assistance even though I know this isn't an easy ask for them either. Asking for help in this way is not in my nature. I'd much rather not burden anyone with my needs. That being said, I know that if my friend/loved one/acquaintance was going through this with their pet, I'd want to help even if it was just a little bit. So, I let go and ask my community for help.

I'm deeply appreciative of you taking the time to read this and considering helping our family take care of Leo. He's a strong and stubborn kitty. I know he will fight hard. <3