Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/troggdor/

Stacy P., an acting first sergeant in the Air Force, has bravely served her country for 20 years. But active duty is tough, dangerous, and lonely work, as any former or serving member of the U.S. military can attest. Fortunately, Stacy’s cat, Troggdor, has helped keep her grounded throughout multiple deployments, which have included postings in Iraq, Germany, the Azores (off the coast of Portugal), Alaska, and her current base in Colorado.

“She rescued me ten years ago,” Stacy told Waggle, recalling how she adopted Troggdor as a kitten in 2009 after her previous cat passed away. “Grieving while being deployed was not easy,” said Stacy, who was stationed in Baghdad at the time. “The stress of my reality of being in an active war zone compiled with my grief of my loss made each day tougher than the last. I could feel myself slipping.”

Stacy’s overwhelming grief led her adopt another kitten upon the advice of a friend, who heard about a newborn litter seeking good homes. Of course, Stacy’s overseas deployment complicated the adoption process slightly, but she still enjoyed watching her new kitten, a cute short-haired tabby who Stacy named Troggdor, blossom from afar. “Over the next couple of months, I watched her grow through photos and videos,” said Stacy. “She was so sweet. I couldn’t wait to meet her.”

Troggdor was 6 months old by the time Stacy finally met her new pet, but the kitten immediately bonded with her new owner. “I wept. She was just so sweet,” the acting first sergeant remembered. “We just attached really quickly, and she’s been with me ever since.”

But although Troggdor has been Stacy’s rock throughout the years, the rescued cat’s health has been slipping. Veterinarians recently discovered the now 11-year-old feline has developed a giant cyst in her stomach, and the growth is so large that even doctors were surprised. “I have never seen a cyst this large in a cat,” one veterinarian told Stacy. “It’s pushing on her kidneys so much so that we couldn’t find her left kidney in the ultrasound.”

Nor have multiple veterinarian and specialist visits been able to cure this sweet senior cat of her malady. Each time doctors drain Troggdor’s cyst, it just fills up with fluid again. “The first time I had it drained, they said she lost about six pounds,” Stacy said.

Now the cyst has grown so large it needs to be removed before it damages Troggdor’s internal organs, but Stacy cannot afford the surgery’s $1,495 price tag. “She rescued me, and I am panicking,” said Stacy, who fears for her cat’s life. “How can I rescue her? Where do I go from here? I absolutely cannot resort to economic euthanasia. Please, please help me rescue Troggdor.”

The Animal Rescue Site has teamed up with Waggle to raise money for Troggdor’s cyst removal surgery, which the cat’s medical team considers urgent and essential. Please donate to Troggdor’s medical fund on Waggle if you would like to support this mission to provide critical care for a cherished pet who, in turn, helps support a brave member of our armed forces.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog