Bob is a 14-year-old Manx/Mainecoon mix in Baldwinsville, NY, who needs $227 for kidney disease treatment.

My cat picked ME: I went to the local pound to see if there were any apartment appropriate dogs to THINK about adopting (there weren't), so on a whim I asked if I could just play with the kittens for a fuzz-buzz as I was leaving... they opened the door and this TINY little guy immediately jumped on my shoulder and started biting my hair! I submitted: Shoot, well I guess I'm getting a cat now!"

Bob has been with us through 7apartments , New jobs, layoffs, health crises and disability, sometimes with roommates who had dogs (which my cat tolerated well but once cornered in the kitchen and wouldn't let her leave,) co-habitated with other cats... he was with me during my dad's coma and all the other good times and bad... he's been amazing and taken it all in stride.

Just the cost of fluids and tubing ($130/mo) ,his new medications (133/mo), new special dry food ($28), new wet food $60) = $391/mo. I am disabled, only able to work part-time at a grocery store, and half my small income goes towards medical expenses. This is both an immediate need for funding for emerg. services rendered this week as well as help for on-going treatment he will need for the rest of his life. Bob has urinary crystals (prescription wet food) and he has an issue with periodic bowel blockages (3 medications and sometimes home enemas.) About $200/mo. Now he has kidney disease, so +3meds, Rx wet & dry food, and IV DAILY. Bob is TEACHABLE.

Once we got him comfortable on a harness for outside we would tie him up. We hung some bells below the knob and he would "ring the doorbell" when he wanted to come in! He has no tail (well, a nub), and because of that he will sit up straight on his rear end (pouch expanding like a beer belly...) we call this his "jabba" pose. because he looks exactly like Jabba the Hutt!