Bear is a 1-year-old Maine Coon Cat in Passaic, NJ, who needs $1,800 for Blocked Urethral Obstruction UO.

Bear was a wonderful gift from my dearest friend Jim. He was so tiny I was afraid to pet him when he first arrived. I would say the moment he curled up on my sofa it was mad love from then on. We are always together, he loves to lay on my desk and watch the computer, I can't even tell you the number of times he's made me smile when I felt like there wasn't much to smile about.

Due to COVID, it really is just me and the Bear :) We are each other's constant companions day in and day out. Most people who know me know that Bear is an irreplaceable part of my life. No matter how many times he's driven me crazy with knocking things over, etc. there is just such joy in loving him and the love he gives me back.

Oh, he makes me laugh so hard. Like the time he was scratching at a painting I had above my couch. It was of a tree grove, a gift from my parents, and he thought the trees were real!!! After my father passed in January, he was an enormous source of comfort and happiness which gave me strength. Losing him would be like losing a member family.

Unfortunately, at such a young age, Bear developed crystals and a blockage necessitating an emergency visit to the vet, which saw him hospitalized for 3 days under 24-hour care. I was devastated. I brought him home but 5 days later, he showed distress again, and yes, another 3-day hospitalization. He was treated by the Veterinary Emergency Group in Clifton NJ and had many vets caring for him.

Currently, I am living on a fixed income due to being diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer. His bills totaled almost $8,000.00. The interest alone on the credit card is enough to buy groceries for a month at today's prices.