A story and a request

[Smoof]

I know I'm not as prolific or known in the CoG community as many others, but I spend quite a bit of time here and I've seen the generosity of the CoG community, even if I haven't participated in it myself. First, I have a story for you:

About nine months ago now, my fiancé and I moved into a new place. It's a little bigger than our old place and the rent is a bit higher, but most importantly, it allows us to have pets. Me being me, I wanted to adopt a cat as soon as possible, as I can't help but love the little creatures--quite the strange thing for me, as when I was younger I was very afraid of cats and outright hated them. The problem was we couldn't exactly afford to adopt a cat, as it comes to be very expensive after needing shots, microchips, etc. Luckily for me, my sister told me about a friend of her's who had a cat (Buckwheat) they were giving away. His original owner, whom he'd lived with since a kitten, was ready to abandon him. She met a new boyfriend and was moving in with him; this new boyfriend, however, didn't like cats, so she decided to get rid of hers. Rather than find him a home, she decided that she was going to make him a "farm" cat. Now, this would have been certain death for him, as he's an old man, being twelve years old and he is also declawed (abhorrent) and missing some teeth. Well, instead of let this happen, my sisters’ friend (who was friends with the person who owned Buckwheat) took him so as to save him from his fate. Unfortunately for Buckwheat, these people had just lost their two kitties and weren't yet prepared to love another cat, so they posted on Facebook about him in an attempt to find Buckwheat a home. This is where my sister comes in and notifies me. So, I adopted Buckwheat back in January. He's a great cat. Very friendly (if a bit timid), sweet, loves his belly scratched; both my fiancé and I adore him. This is where my request comes in:
Since we've owned Buckwheat, he has had the most horrible breath I've ever smelled. He's very fond of meowing and will often come up to your face and meow right in it; it's absolutely unbareable. My sister, having had experience with this with one of her cats, says he probably has an infection in his gums. I also talked to a vet, which suggested that it might be the same (though I merely spoke to the vet, she never examined Buckwheat). Anyway, from my understanding, he'll need to have some, if not all, of his teeth removed. Unfortunately, this can cost anywhere from $1500 to $2000. $1500 to $2000 my fiancé and I don't have. We are both students, me, not working and my fiancé only working one day a week. My parents and sister offered to help us out and chip in whatever they could afford--likely $50-$150--but unfortunately, we fear this won't be enough. We haven't yet scheduled an appointment for Buckwheat to go get looked at by the vet, but we intend to within a week or so. We've looked into vets for the poor, but we're rather worried about them, as from reading online, their reviews seem to be hit and miss. Our best option, we think, is to take him up to Colorado State University Vet. School and have him looked at and taken care of, but it's still very expensive.

So my request, which is likely obvious by now is for any monetary help any CoGGers would be willing to give to my fiancé and I. I don't really expect anything, but I figured it'd be worth a shot to ask and see if anyone would be willing. We intend to get Buckwheat taken care of either way, but the both of us are worried that it will break the bank.

And now, to hopefully melt your hearts







Anyway, if anyone is interested, please PM me. After we can make Buckwheat an appointment and get an estimate for the entire thing, I'll let you know or post in this thread. Thanks

[Hotcod]

Hey guys, me and smoof go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back from the planet half life forums to a few small privet ones over the years. His and honest to god awesome dude

Saddly you've caught me at the only point in the last few years where I'm simply flat out broke I don't know when I'll be back on my feet but if you still need help when I am I'd be more than happy to chip in.

[Smoof]

I had Buckwheat checked out today, looks like he has a really severe infection in his gums. The vet showed me and they were really nasty looking, bloody, etc. I scheduled an appointment for Monday and it looks like it's then that his teeth will be extracted; fortunately, I went to an affordable vet and it's looking to be pretty reasonable. $120 + $5 for each teeth extracted + bloodwork + antibiotics. So, it should be coming in around $200 or maybe slightly more.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in contributing, I'd very much appreciate the help. Thanks to the advice of Wraith, I set up a ChipIn account.

Thanks for looking

Unfortunately, I can't get the widget code working, so here is a link to the page:
http://smoof.chipin.com/cat-oral-surgery

[AntonThaGreat]

Forgive me if I'm being insensitive, but why? What's the point? It is a really old cat. He's seen his best years. Don't get me wrong, I love cats, owned more than a few in my life and have 2 cats right now.

I just want to know why you would dedicate so much to the cat?

[johnperkins21]

Originally Posted by AntonB

Forgive me if I'm being insensitive, but why? What's the point? It is a really old cat. He's seen his best years. Don't get me wrong, I love cats, owned more than a few in my life and have 2 cats right now.

I just want to know why you would dedicate so much to the cat?

I can kind of see your point, but it is only $200. If I were in his shoes, I'd be doing the same thing. And his point is really about saving him the displeasure of smelling the cats breath. It's a win-win.

I tried to pitch in, but PayPal didn't like me. I'll give it another shot soon.

[Karak]

I would, if I were you, have a good day or two to think. Animals have no one but us, and at times we have to repay their loyalty and their excellent companionship with the only gift that a human can really repay them with. Mercy. It may be time for you to discuss putting him to sleep.

Sorry but I used to volunteer and work part time in a vet clinic and its heartwrenching to see people try to keep an animal going when mercy is most likely the best course.

I am in no way insensitive to you. I am in fact, just a bit worried about the age of the cat and surgery, especially oral, on both dogs and cats are especially dangerous. Good luck either way sir.

Oh and mine really has nothing to do with the money aspect 200 for a animal with a good chance of continued survival in your household is not bad at all.

[Hawkzombie]

Yeah, 200 is far more reasonable than 1500-2000 for TOOTH removal.

I say save up the money and go for it...i'd donate some, because I like cats, but I'm broke. And I'm with Karak. if he's a strong cat and has some good years left, then of course go for it. But if he's having difficulty now, it may be time to seriously consider the alternative.

[Smoof]

Thanks for the interest you guys.

The thing about Buckwheat is, I believe he has many, many years left. He acts, plays and has the personality of a much younger cat; he's very spry and aware of his surrounds, not like many twelve year old cats. And yes, it is a win/win situation, I don't have to small his awful breath and his infection will go away. For around $200 when I got him for free, it's not really too much of a ridiculous price to keep him around.

Anyway, his only real problem seems to be this infection he has. Otherwise, I think he's got at least another five+ years on him; I adore the little creature and even if he was in much worse shape, I'd still be willing to try and come-up with the money to keep him around. The way he was treated by his first owner, it's about time he gets some love and compassion.

[txshurricane]

He was adopted by a caring person once, he can be adopted again. Seriously, if you can't pony up the $200, then put him back on Facebook so that someone else can.

That's my take, anyway. I don't mind coming off of some cash, but not for this. For what it's worth, I hope that everything goes well with the surgery.

[Serapth]

Frankly, a a person who could easily manage 200$ and with some effort manage 2000$, I wouldn't, even for my own pet. I went through it once and t that age letting nature serve its course is the most humane choice. 12 is not young and toothlessness isn't easy for a cat.

Having a pet die sucks but is a fact of life.

[Karak]

Smoof:
12 is not young. 12 is getting older AND with no teeth. I want to make sure you understand that no one here is heartless. I would save a cat before a dirty human. But before I donate I keep pondering a couple things-

His chances of making it through a surgery
His life afterwards

Also vets for the poor with get good and bad reviews. JUST like vets for the rich. Don't think for a second that they all suck. Check them out without the cat. Just go in and check them out. Tell them you just wanted to see the place. If they are not super busy check their attitude, their investment.

Our vet for the poor is 100% invested in health care for animals and rivals many paid for vets.

Also again remember that love and caring is also offering an animal a painless and caring. End. Something that most animals can't get in the wild. I am not voting for putting him to sleep, I am simply saying its the last great gift you can give an animal that is ill/hurting and not having a good life experience.

I hope my children feel the same for me

[Smoof]

So, all is well with Buckwheat. He had his surgery Monday and everything went great; he had 8 teeth extracted. He still seems to be in some pain as he's been hiding mostly, coming out for breakfast and dinner, but then going back to his hiding spot after.

The vet said his bloodwork came back totally normal, so he's a good, healthy cat. Beyond that minor gum infection, he has no other health issues to be wary of.

Thanks to those who contributed; Nikki and I really appreciate your caring and we wish we could somehow return the favor or at least show our thanks.

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Smoof

So, all is well with Buckwheat. He had his surgery Monday and everything went great; he had 8 teeth extracted. He still seems to be in some pain as he's been hiding mostly, coming out for breakfast and dinner, but then going back to his hiding spot after.

The vet said his bloodwork came back totally normal, so he's a good, healthy cat. Beyond that minor gum infection, he has no other health issues to be wary of.

Thanks to those who contributed; Nikki and I really appreciate your caring and we wish we could somehow return the favor or at least show our thanks.

This is a good ending keep checking on him and give us some pics later when he starts coming back out of his hiding spot.

[txshurricane]

Glad to hear the cat's okay, and you still have a cuddle buddy.

[Smoof]

I figured I'd give a little update, since it's been a bit over a week now:

Buckwheat is doing great. He has a much bigger appetite now and he's become much more a lap cat. Before, he couldn't sit in one place for very long before he wanted to get up and either shift around or go somewhere else, usually the closet, to hide. Now, he's a complete lap cat; when Nikki and I sit on the couch and watch tv, I'm usually laying down and he'll come over and lay on my chest, facing me, something he's never done before. Even more, he'll come and sit on my lap if I'm sitting up; before if I was at the computer, he MIGHT come lay on my lap, but only if I kept rubbing him. Otherwise, he'd be up and crawling across me, unable to relax. Now, he's happy to just sit in my lap, even if he's not being petted; he'll lay there for hours if you let him.

He's become a much happier cat, I think. It makes me really happy to see how much better life has become for him.