Regular readers may know about Teddy Bear, the sweet cat who walked into my life after years living feral outdoors. He’s FIV-positive, which means his immune system is compromised and he can no longer live the outdoor life.
I recently had him neutered, but complications from that surgery landed him in the veterinary hospital — and left me saddled with a huge bill. So I created a GoFundMe campaign to help defray a portion of the costs. I’m not asking people to pay the whole amount, but any donation would help soften the blow for me. Thank you — and please share the link: gf.me/u/ww9szy
I’ve made a modest contribution – fingers crossed for Teddy Bear.
Thank you!
I have to wait until I get paid next week but will make a donation then, for sure.
Thank you, and please (and this goes for everyone) don’t give more than you can afford.
If we all give a little it will make a lot.
This is my gift to one of the many people who look after the precious animals of this world.
Thanks Mike! 💕
Aww, thanks so much!
Almost halfway there already! I’ll have to check back when I get home tonight; can’t do a donation from work. (I’ve never done a GFM donation before…not sure how it all works.) Teddy Bear looks like a sweetheart. I am mentally reaching through the grate to give his nose a scritch.
Allen – I just donated. It will ask you for a 15% tip help GoFundMe, nor Mike. If you scroll down to try to select a 0% tip, there won’t be an option (of course). Select “other” and type in “0” (zero). Then you can pay only the amount going to Mike.
You need to use a credit or debit card. It wouldn’t let me pay with PayPal.
Thanks 🙂
(Though it looks like the goal might be met by the time I get home..!)
Also, I know your name is Allein…it corrected to Allen, which you must be used to?!?! LOL!!
I didn’t even notice. 😉
(That’s actually how it was originally spelled on my birth certificate…)
I think that GFM allows donations even after the goal is met. I wouldn’t complain if it went a leetle bit over… 🙂
I was still planning to, since you said the goal was only part of the total amount. If nothing else, it’s money I would otherwise have spent on a cute calendar. 😉
I think it just did. 😁
$1080 as of 10:43am (Eastern US time)
I donated and I see you’re more than halfway there already!
Thank you!
Aww such a sweet looking boy and I’m sorry he had to go through all this. Hope Teddy’s home and feeling better soon. Donation sent.
Many thanks!
Mike, thank you for letting us help!! You bring so much joy to my world every single day. You never ask us for anything in return. It’s a pleasure to help out. Hope you and Teddy Bear have a very nice Thanksgiving.
What Julie said. If you leave the page up, I can add some more to the fund after payday next week. Dear sweet Teddy Bear.
I can leave it up, and I think that GFM allows donations to continue after a goal is met. As I said in the campaign profile, the $1,000 goal is just a fraction of the total bill.
Thank you, Julie!
So sorry to hear about Teddy Bear. You gave him a warm, loving home, and he gives you love in return. Our donations are to let you know we all feel close to you with all that you give to us every day. It’s the least we can do for you and Teddy Bear. Hopefully we’ll see him improve and get his health back. Here’s a BIG warm HUG ( ) from me to both of you!! Fellow cat lover.
Look at us go! We almost have it completely covered!!! Woot woot! Thank you Mike for creating and nurturing such a great, positive space– it is the least we could do. Come on Teddy, get strong as the ‘love’ is pouring in.
Three-quarters of the way there!
does the happy dance
YES!! What fkawaldenpond said – the vibe of this space comes from you, Mike. Thank you!!
I threw something in the pot too. Here’s to Teddy Bear having a long happy life with you.
Same here, and thank you!
I didn’t know I could void the tip part of the go fund me. This is the first time I’ve given through them. Like Julie said, Mike, you give all of us so much joy, laughter and tears, everyday, and this is the small part I can do to help you. Keep us posted with Teddy Bear’s health and give Ani hugs too.
Thank you. BTW, the tip goes to GoFundMe to help them keep the service running.
Almost there, Mike! Very, very happy to be able to donate. It’s just a fraction of what you deserve for so much entertainment over the years. Much love to you and T-Bear. ❤
Very kind of you, thanks!
Lily approves this donation!
I approve of Lily’s approval! Thank you!
I left a donation early this morning, and have come back from running errands. I’m so happy to see how quickly you’ve almost made it to your goal! I think you might exceed it. If ever someone deserved it, it’s you Mr. Mike. Thank you for all you do for us everyday. xo
Thank you so much!
Happily donated. Just know that FIV is not as devastating diagnosis it used to be. They can live very long normal lives with appropriate care. I would strongly suggest having his teeth removed should he continue to get infections. It seems extreme but they do very well without them. Teeth are gateways to infections. We took in an FIV cat and he was never 100% until we had his teeth removed. We tragically lost him to an aggressive cancer unrelated to his FIV. But up until that time you would never have known he had a sick day in his life.
Thank you! I didn’t know much about FIV, but the vet who diagnosed him took care to explain that it was manageable.
Boom! Out of the park!! We rock!!!
Thanks to everyone! I increased the goal just in case anyone’s still interested in donating later, but I can’t stress enough that these goals are just arbitrary numbers, and whatever the total ends up being it will be very helpful and I’ll be able to pay the rest myself.
I donated early this morning– but heck we all just took care of the increased goal a few minutes ago. high fives the whole gang
Donated in honor of Joe a big black one-eyed kitty we took in years ago who had FIV. We basically stole him from neighbors who were leaving him outside to fend for himself. We also had to have several of his teeth pulled and he flourished once he could eat without pain & with some regular meds. He loved sitting in my husbands lap, playing with our other kitties & came running when he heard the treat box being opened. We like to believe his last 3 years with us were the best of his life. He will always have a special place in our hearts.
Thank you for that story and the donation. I am also hoping to give Teddy Bear as many good years as his condition will allow.
I really love this community and how we all come together when it’s needed. We’re the best!! And big thanks to Mike for his daily dose of cuteness and funnies to keep us going when life gets a little too much.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who donated today! Due to the interest I’ve increased the goal to $1,500. But please only donate what you can easily spare. I want to pay the largest share myself because Teddy Bear is my responsibility.
I was a little concerned that no one else had yet donated when I went on last night to do so, but I think it was just because not many people had seen the Facebook post yet. So happy to check this morning and see that the goal has already been reached and then some! Yay, Cutetropolitans! 😀
Small contribution from Sweden.
Thank you!
Donated. My cat Meimei had UTI last week, luckily she’s better now with medicine. No kitty should be sick or suffering in this weather. Wishing Teddy Bear a healthy and happy Christmas! And Mike thank you for taking care of her, and providing this great community for us all year around.
I donated a small amount which no way matches amount of pleasure I get from Mike’s humour. You are one of the wittiest bloggers on the tooobs. Truly. Combine that with compassion for animal life, well, that’s hard to transcend. Thank you! We are all so grateful for what you give us every day. We can give you a little in return.
Wow, that’s very kind! Thanks!
Kicked in a bit. Get well soon, Teddy Bear!
I’ll donate on the condition that you post occasional updates and pictures of his recovery.
Poor love, he’s been through the wringer.
I chipped in a bit too. This site brings so many people so much happiness, and let’s face it, Teddy Bear is adorable. Sending good thoughts to both of you.
Thank you!
I didn’t donate to the GoFundMe because the total had been achieved – didn’t realize until I got here and read the comments that the total was arbitrary. What I did instead was drop some moolah into the tip jar. I hope the tip helps in some kind of way. Should have read the comments first.
That’s ok, it still helps. Thank you!