In the summer of 2005, three little kittens were born to a young feral mama cat behind the garage of my family’s home. One of those kittens instantly became my best friend, and she has been by my side for the past 20 years (practically my entire independent adult life).

I named her Margo, after my favorite WNBA basketball player that season, the Connecticut Sun center and world’s tallest women’s basketball player at the time, Margo Dydek. I gave her the full name Margo BigThumbs, because she had an extra toe on each foot, making it look like she has big ol’ thumbs.

Margo has been my companion and comfort through 20 years of successes and failures, victories and defeat, love and loss, joy and despair. All cats are the best cat, but Margo really has been the greatest. She loves and is loved by all people, from my family and best friends, to random guys who come to fix the internet!

Over the years, her two dear littermate sisters, adopted by my parents and sister, have left this earth before her, as well as a young human niece and baby nephew. Even her namesake basketball player Margo Dydek, tragically passed before her time in 2011. But Margo BigThumbs has carried on with lots of love and comfort to share.

Now, her elderly body has begun to betray the cuddly spirit within it that has given such joy and consolation. With a slowly weakening heart and kidneys, Margo recently suffered a saddle thrombus. And while she seems to be recovering from the blood clot, she hasn’t regained use of her hind limbs. She can’t move herself about much, and needs assistance getting to her food, water, and litter box.

Even with treatment, another embolism is possible and likely to cause a great deal of pain. Though her current status doesn’t seem to be causing her painful suffering, the quality of her life is declining, and the level of care needed to keep her comfortable is not sustainable.

It breaks my heart knowing the best thing for both of us is to make a decision to say goodbye soon, with dignity and without suffering, surrounded by love.

I’ve been experiencing bleak financial times for a while, so now I am appealing to the kindness of friends and wonderful internet strangers to help me fund a proper goodbye for my best friend of 20

years and absolutely one of the best cats ever.

The compassionate pet euthanasia service I would like to help us with this process and the aftercare options (cremation) are estimated to be about $800. [EDIT 9/6: new quote for appointment scheduled for Sunday 9/7 is $960, so goal has been updated to accommodate this and GFM transaction fees.]

[EDIT 9/6: The appointment has been made for Sunday morning, 9/7. Margo has let me know it’s time.] I will be deciding early next week, the week of Monday, September 8th, how I can proceed to make the end of my wonderful friend’s life as easy, comfortable, dignified, and as full of love as possible.

Will you help me with a contribution to help me give my best friend and loyal companion a peaceful and loving farewell?

Margo and I, and those who love us, would be so grateful for your kindness.