Veterinary treatment for Skittles

I was set to get him the chemotherapy, but my baby took a turn for the worse.

I had to say goodbye to him yesterday.

This past year has been a huge challenge for me. First Covid, then a heart attack during my move, followed by 4 months of short term disability. I was able to handle my finances fine with the partial short term disability. I never planned on the veterinary hospital expense; so here I am, exposing my vulnerability. 

A little about Skittles:

I found him in the parking lot of Sunshine Cathedral after church in October 2009. He was a kitten and emaciated. I immediately wrapped him up in my shirt and brought him home. We had an immediate connection. I like to believe that he knew I was giving him his best life. Soon thereafter I was hospitalized with a stranger illness that caused complete blindness in one eye, and partial loss in the other. I was given multiple tests including two spinal taps. They thought it was menangitis and put me on an IV drip of antibiotics for 4 days before they determined it was bartonella, due to a cat scratch from Skittles. Maybe this was a message that I shouldn't have a cat. But for whatever reason, I felt closer to my buddy. This was the start of a lifelong bond. I always said that he was my kindred spirit. I taught him to walk with me on a harness and a lead. He loved getting brushed (he would come running when he heard me rub the bristles with my thumb). He was affectionate yet not clingy. He would cuddle for a few minutes then get up and relax by my side. He went on a three day walkabout and had me scared out of my wits until in the early morning hours he came wandering in (I was keeping the door open so he could get back in). He jumped on my bed and was 'chatting' up a storm, telling me about his adventure, I imagine. He travelled with me to Atlanta when my old job had me living in a hotel for 12 weeks and I told the divisional V.P. that I would only go if they allowed me to bring him with me to a hotel that allowed pets. He loved the adventure, but not the car ride. Skittles adapted to rhe new environment immediately and this (to me) reenforced our bond. He trusted me. He loved me. Unconditionally. I believe that everyone bonds with their pet and I do not discount that.

But Skittles was special. Ask anyone who met him. He had a personality, he was expressive. We communicated through speech, body language and eyes. I would blink fast at him and he knew it was time to play. I would give him slow blinks and he knew it was time to cuddle. He always came to me when I called him. He religiously brought me his toys as 'gifts' every night as I slept and I would wake up with little stuffed mice under my hip and back. 

Skittles was incredibly special to me; there was no question as to getting him treatment if he could be treated. Unfortunately it did not happen that way. Saying goodbye was the most difficult goodbye I ever experienced; he was my immediate family. My connection. My comfort. My buddy. My kindred spirit.

My friends and family have been incredibly supportive my entire life, and for that I feel fortunate and very blessed.

I need a little help. The bills are incredible, and I allowed that to happen out of a place of hope, and perhaps a little selfishness. Skittles was selfless and I owed him that hope on the chance of improvement. I owed him that at the very least in return for all that he gave me. 

It didn't work out that way. He left knowing how much I loved him.

Now I'm left with a broken heart, and a veterinary bill that is close to $5,000. 

If you can find a little to help that would be awesome; those who know me know how hard it is for me to ask for help.

I was blessed to have him.