So we have this cat... Pixel has never really been anyone's cat, just kind of hanging out with his brother Grendel, and going where Grendel went. From the beginning, the two were inseperable; we wanted to adopt Grendel, but when we saw how attatched to one another they were, we had to get both. In July, we lost Grendel to kidney and liver failure, which was painful and awful for everyone concerned, especially Pixel, who went around meowing pitfully for Grendel and looking in all their favorite hidey holes for him for a very long time. Pixel clearly needed an outlet for his affection, and he chose the one we all thought most unlikely: Darth Toddler. He and Darth became boon companions, where one is, the other can usually be found close behind. When Darth goes to school, Pixel finds a shirt or sweater belonging to Darth and curls up to sleep on it, until Darth comes home again. Darth and Pixel have an uncanny rapport; they'll sit and talk to each other for hours at a go, and Darth really seems to understand what Pixel is telling him.

 

But Pixel has a problem-- congenetally weak kidneys. So we've been pouring money into vet bills to keep Pixel alive and healthy for a while now. This past week has been particularly bad. Pixel has entered kidney failure. So we've spent almost $800 this week to help Pixel make it through this episode. The problem is that we're tapped financially, and I think Pixel is just plain tired of all this. We're giving him subq fluids every day and will for the rest of his life. We're giving him prescription food, medicines, and lots of attention and affection. Darth knows Pixel is sick, and doesn't feel well, but I don't think he quite gets how fragile Pixel really is. This is the end of the line for Pixel-- if he gets sick again within a couple of months, we'll have to face the final decsion and have him put down. Death was the only thing that seperated Pixel and Grendel, and it's looking like it's the only thing that's going to seperate Pixel and Darth as well.