# I lost my kitty \[donation request\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 20, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203 "2015-10-20T00:59:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/1 "2015-10-20T00:59:39Z")
This is Púca. [- YouTube](https://youtu.be/p2qxfdutvb4) He has a big, bold personality. He is wickedly smart. He loves people. He loves affection. He will enthusiastically headbutt you and demand pets. I have known him since he was a few hours old – a little black cat ran up to us as we were walking down the street, a friend took her home, and six weeks later, kittens! I was invited to visit that afternoon. I visited several times, watching the kitties grow, until I took Púca home. It took barely a week for him and my older cat Merlyn to become fast friends. Both Púca and I took it hard when Merlyn passed five years ago. Púca was 14 years old, when he became sick. He started getting picky about his food a few weeks ago. We tried to entice him with new brands and flavors, and then a couple weeks ago emailed his vet for advice. Later that same night he became critically ill, and we’ve been to the vet four times since then. Last Wednesday we learned he was dying. He had nodules in both kidneys, and the most likely causes are all incurable. By Thursday afternoon he’d lost all interest in food, and that evening we let him go. His sudden critical illness coincided with my last week of my recent contract job. I lost a day of work taking him to the ER. I wouldn’t change that, but being a contractor means no PTO. After some technical difficulty I was able to apply for unemployment last week Tuesday; my expected benefit is $174 per week. I lost my last FT Corporate America job in 2008 in the early stages of the Great Recession. I’ve been underemployed since then. While I am always working, looking for work, or trying to create alternate income streams for myself – usually all three at once – I still haven’t regained economic stability. Seven years ago I figured I’d have enough time to get back on my feet before I had to worry about senior cat vet bills, but the reality didn’t work out that way. I’m on food stamps. I’ve used almost all of my savings by covering rent and utilities in those months when my income just wasn’t enough. I am so tired. I don’t think I can even begin to explain how devastating it is to lose him. Things have often sucked over the years but he was always there for me. He was so effusive and unabashed with his love. It’s not easy for me to ask for help. But if you’re willing to give a couple bucks or even just to share this, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you. > **[Help with Púca's medical care, organized by Kat O'Connor](https://www.gofundme.com/f/us67qgdg)** > > Púca the cat is sick. > > A few weeks ago he started getting really picky about his food, very… Kat O'Connor needs your support for Help with Púca's medical care (posted with permission) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/2 "2015-10-20T01:14:22Z")
**Mod hat on** Edited the title to make it clear this is a donation request. **Mod hat off** I’m really sorry about your financial troubles and the loss of your cat. I can’t imagine how hard this must be. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Inter\_Alia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@Inter\_Alia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inter_Alia)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/3 "2015-10-20T01:22:01Z")
Donated! Unfortunately, it wasn’t much because I’m underemployed myself. I hope you get all the help you need. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/4 "2015-10-20T03:15:07Z")
Donated! Not much, but I’m a sucker for black cats. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/5 "2015-10-20T17:48:27Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/6 "2015-10-20T20:14:53Z")
Donation made. My own kitty “Londo” is 15 years old and is probably in the last week of his life. sniff… ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/7 "2015-10-20T21:01:57Z")
I’m so sorry to hear about Londo. Love him hard. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/8 "2015-10-20T21:11:33Z")
I’m sorry for your loss. Dribble added. StG ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/9 "2015-10-21T18:38:31Z")
Thank you. I’ve been sitting here for half an hour trying to find words to express what these kindnesses mean to me right now and I’m just failing. So, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/10 "2015-10-21T19:01:09Z")
I donated too. Hope it helps. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/11 "2015-10-21T21:46:55Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/12 "2015-10-21T22:30:46Z")
So sorry for your loss. What a sweet kitty. Donated. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/13 "2015-10-21T23:09:06Z")
**kaio** I noticed on the final breakdown of expenses the euthanasia seemed very pricey. Is it possible that the vet might work with you on that cost, given your circumstances? He must realize how much you did for that sweet cat even when you didn’t have much yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/14 "2015-10-22T00:39:08Z")
Infovore-- thank you. Ivory-- The at-home service is a different organization than his regular vet – his regular vet hospital doesn’t do it at-home. I compared prices, the euthanasia was basically the same as what I paid for Merlyn when I brought him into the regular vet five years ago. Half of that final cost is disposition, which is also comparable to other pet funeral homes here. I rent so I couldn’t bury him myself. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/15 "2015-10-22T16:27:43Z")
Bump for a new day. Gave a little for your friend. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/16 "2015-10-22T18:57:30Z")
Sent a few $. I’m so sorry about your kitty and that, on top of losing him, you’re having a tough life. Take good care of yourself, Jenn ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/17 "2015-10-22T19:00:39Z")
Wow, guys. Just got back to my computer and there’s a whole bunch of new donations. Thank you. I’m crying again now. Your kindness really means a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/18 "2015-10-23T19:45:10Z")
This is how I remember him. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JuOEv6PA2w) ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/19 "2015-10-23T19:49:48Z")
Going to go donate but right now there’s something in my eye…and I need to go pet my cats. Thanks for taking such good care of him all those years, Kaio. ---
**Author:** ![LegendHasit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/legendhasit/32/8246_2.png) [@LegendHasit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LegendHasit)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203/20 "2015-10-23T21:58:24Z")
Kaio, My heart goes out to you. I had to put my sweet, 20 year old tortoise-calico down two weeks ago. She’d been declining for months and things were just shutting down. It’s heartbreaking to have to do. I miss her presence so much. My thought are with you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-lost-my-kitty-donation-request/735203.md?page=2)