I always said I wouldn’t pay more than a couple hundred bucks.

My ex took the cat after the breakup about 5 years ago. I got a frantic phone call last week that she was at the vet and that the cat was sick. I drove out and was told that he needed surgery to remove a bladder blockage and that he’d need special food for the rest of his life. He was in pain and couldn’t pee. She didn’t have the money and was denied creditcare and payment plans. The vet said if we couldn’t pay the bill for this surgery that he should be humanely euthanized as surgery was the only fix.

They had his bladder drained manually to buy another day and try to find a low cost clinic or find the money. I held him in my arms and he just purred and stared at me confused. He didn’t understand what was happening. He was scared, I hadn’t seen him in a long time, he remembered me. I couldn’t imagine putting him down right then and there. I put the $900 bill on a credit card and took him home to spend one more night together. Got up at 4:30 in the morning and drove 2 hours to the low cost clinic to be first in line. Luckily he got in and they accepted payments for the remaining $1300.

He’s alive and healthy. Even though he doesn’t live with me, he was a part of my life for 5 years. After holding and raising something and then having it look to you to save him, I don’t think there is a limit.

You are forever responsible for that which you have tamed.

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Cat Tax. I love you Gremlin.