We'll Miss You, Bear: Help Us Cover Bear's Medical Costs

(Please read the update below. All funds will go to paying for Bear's Medical bills as we say goodbye to him.)

Hello, my name is Shamus and my cat, Bear, needs your help.

My fiancé and I adopted Bear from a shelter when he was three years old. They told us he had "behavioral issues" because he was picked up on the street when he was six months old and thus didn't like to cuddle and socialize much. He was just a very nervous boy which put off others from adopting him. But we saw his beautiful little face and went, "that's our guy!"

Bear's the first pet I've ever had and I was so nervous how to handle him. How would I understand what he needed? How would I know if he loved us? Well, this little guy quickly got comfortable with expressing himself. Yelling for his nommies, zooming around the house, and stretching out on his favorite pillow. He was so happy to have space to move around and just chill.

Every morning he sits by the bed, waiting for me to get up, and then demand pets that will last for at least five minutes. He isn't a lap cat, he never sits on either of us but he always sits close by. He hates when either of us are in different rooms. (Unless he's catching a sun beam, then he meows like "go away, father, I sleep.") His favorite thing is sitting between us on the couch and snoozing. I shouldn't have worried about understanding him, after just a little while he made it clear how much he loves us both.

After a routine vet visit Bear last week started acting strangely. My fiancé and I started noticing he was extremely lethargic, hiding, and just wasn't his normal self. Taking him back on Monday, it was discovered Bear has a massive build-up of fluid in his stomach and an enlarged heart. We aren't sure exactly what caused it but we've taken him to a pet hospital. Sadly this means the bills are already piling up. I've been job searching for over a year with no luck, my savings are nearly depleted, and my fiancé's online business has been facing major struggles. We're doing everything we can but our finances are only getting worse.

Bear is my first pet and I just want him to be okay.

He's the most wonderful little guy and I'm so happy he's in my life. I have to do everything I can to make sure he's okay so I'm going way outside my comfort zone in asking for any and all support you can provide. If you don't have the money, I totally understand, but sharing this also helps. You never know who might see it!

We still aren't sure how much the final bill will be for all the exams, tests, scans, and surgeries he may need. I'll adjust the goal here as we find out.

Please help me save Bear. He deserves the best and I want to make sure he can keep living a long and happy life.