Mina — 12afe9

Mina came from Sante D'Or rescue in Glendale as a kitten and has been a wonderful surprise in our lives. We don't know her origin story but she has always been slow to trust. She has a gentle nature and quiet, ladylike ways, like a porcelain figurine. Paul has been her devoted guardian since 2005 and she developed a new and different relationship with Sara in 2014 when she joined the family.

She's obedient for Paul since he's taken care of her for years and gave her a reliable, loving furever home. When she returned from surgery, the scent of his t-shirt in her crate calmed her immediately. Sara got to know her more slowly, paying attention to her nuances. That's how Mina developed a different communication style with Sara of special meows, eye blinks, and other non-verbals.

The application only allows up to $5k but we've spent more than that on the diagnosis. With surgery it's over $12k. Her chemo this week and additional ongoing costs will incur. We've opened two credit cards to meet her medical needs. Bills in LA are double the US average.

In Aug., Mina was lethargic, not her usual talkative self, and had tummy trouble. Many tests and exams indicated intestinal round cell tumor of an undetermined type. But she was hearty and cleared for surgery, the recommendation for definitive diagnosis and the best chance to remove and treat her illness. Dr. Pierro and Dr Cabrera at MASH are her oncologist and surgeon, respectively. 855-350-7387.

Mina's days are full, varied, and reliable. She sits in a window by the bird feeder at 10 am, waits for Paul at the door 5 minutes before he comes home, and patrols the house one last time when Sara gets in bed. If her routine is out of place, it's a sign that something is off. These were early clues that she was sick. We love to see her nap in the sun and the sound of her trills when she's happy.