If you know me, you know this won’t come without a novel. So. Grab your water. Get a blankey. Get comfy.

This is Pumpkin.

(PumpkinCandyCaneHeartCloverEasterEgg to be specific).

He was born on my bed in October 2018. I’m not entirely sure he even understands he’s not a human. I think he’s always just believed he’s one of us.

When he was born just before Halloween, Lane (in his wise kindergarten wisdom) decided he MUST name the babies in a Halloween theme. (Born unexpectedly, might I add… I thought his mom was a boy. He was. Originally. That’s a whole story for another day.) He named them Pumpkin, Ghost and Frankenstein. The other 2… jet black like their mama. Pumpkin - not so much. When they’d all be in a cuddle puddle … there Pumpkin would be off to the side asleep on his back arms in the air. Complete weirdo right off the get go. Immediately, I was like “this one is the weirdo. He is staying. Weirdos belong with weirdos.”

Only weeks later, I ended an abusive marriage. And I always say… Pumpkin was put in my life to get me through that. He was our emotional support kitty. He started by sleeping next to my head on my pillow. Then eventually migrated next to my pillow when he out grew that. Then eventually needed his own side of the bed.

He would sit in my makeup bag while I’d get ready (he quickly out grew that). He would trade my bed for Lane’s when Lane was sick. He just knew. He always takes care of his boy. He would sit in Lane’s lap while we would play cards at bedtime. He fell asleep to Lane reading him bedtime stories. Whenever we were - he was right there. He loves humans. If you’ve met him, he became your bestie. If there are multiple people in the house, he will play musical laps. Making sure everyone gets their equal amount of lap time (aka - he would work the crowd to maximize the amount of pets he could get)! He is famous for plopping down in your arm to be held like a baby. He loves being held.

People who aren’t cat people fall in love with him. He’s not just a cat. He’s built different. (Literally, lol).

This week, his behaviour changed. He stopped snuggling. He stopped meowing. He stopped eating. He retreated to a dark spot in the back our spare room and wouldn’t leave. He would barely lift his head for loud or sudden noises.

I took him to the vet today. $1200 later… I was informed he has a tumour the size of a mandarin orange and he has leukaemia. That is $1200 I don’t have / can’t afford. He was referred to an emergency specialist. However, I can’t take him if I can’t even pay the initial vet bill.

Right now he is sitting on my bathroom floor. He hasn’t moved for 12 hours. And I just feel like the worst cat mom because can’t do what he deserves but I refuse to give up on him. I can’t afford to take him to the vet he needs to see. We don’t have the full scope of how far along it is yet but I was informed to prepare for the bills that will come.

He is too young to give up on. This cat is too perfect to give up on. The clock is ticking and I’ve exhausted all avenues for help. I can’t live without this guy and I’m not ready for that to be my only option especially due to finances.

If you can’t donate, I would appreciate if you could share this. Maybe you’d put it in the path of someone who can.