My fiancé, Jeremy, and I adopted a one eyed kitten a couple weeks ago. When he was about 2 months old he got attacked by a dog because he was walking by it’s food bowl. He had emergency surgery and had his eye removed. He had pretty much recovered fully and then a month and a half later we met him. Jeremy picked him out at an adoption event because he knew I’ve always wanted a disabled kitty. We instantly fell in love with him because he was a purr machine and really did not let his disability get the best of him.

A week later, we brought him home. I work at a cat only veterinary clinic so of course, I had him checked out by our doctor because I knew he didn’t look 100% healthy yet. It turns out, he had a bone infection from when they removed his eye. The only thing I could think is “this little 2.5lb kitten has been living like this for almost 2 months!” We put him on some mild antibiotics because we knew he was weak. After a couple days he started gaining weight and loved the food we put him on (raw food). Did I mention we have a dog? He absolutely LOVED her and vice versa. It was fantastic to see a once sick little baby turn into a meowing, stretching, and self grooming kitten that would run around following you.

He had the perfect personality and we loved him more than we ever thought we would that quick. We called him our little pirate or cyclops (we actually named him Arges after a cyclops from Greek mythology) and we bought all of his supplies that he needed to feel welcome. We were even imagining plans far ahead. “For Halloween, we’re going to get him a tiny eye patch and he could be a little pirate!!” “I can’t wait until his little teeth start falling out and his big boy teeth come in!!” “He’s going to look so healthy when he gains more weight” “He has to get neutered in a few weeks”. Even though some were simple plans and others were exciting, nonetheless, we were planning. After exactly a week of falling in love and spending all of our time with him, he started to decline. Fast. As a veterinary assistant, I couldn’t help but look at what was happening from a medical standpoint. He was going to die. That’s all that was running through my head. I told Jeremy to prepare to maybe make some decisions today but got a reply of “It will all be okay”. I knew this was not the case but a big part of me hoped that he was right.

As Arges and I arrived to the hospital, I briefed his doctor on what had happened overnight. She decided to run a few tests and to take a full body radiograph. We sedated him because his veins were not giving us a lot to work with in terms of blood flow and we were going to pull blood from the jugular. I kissed his tiny, handsome face and sedated him. After getting blood and taking radiographs, his gums turned blue. We rushed to get the mask back over his face and flow more oxygen to him. I panicked and started crying and had to leave the area while the other technicians got everything under control. I eventually calmed down and wrapped him up in a towel with some warming packs and gave him a million kisses. As soon as the doctor saw the x-rays, she knew that it was not good. Arges had been born with Congestive Heart Failure. All I could think while I was looking the doctor in the eyes, as she was crying, was: this is it. This is it. He is dying and there is nothing we can do about it. I nodded my head in agreement to put him to sleep and thanked her.

Devastated but also slightly relieved, I went back over to Arges and held him while my friend called Jeremy. I hugged him so tight and gave him so many kisses while waiting for Jeremy to get there so we could do it together and say our goodbyes. I’ve never known this type of pain before, but that’s the thing: I have never known anyone like Arges. He was special and he will stay in our hearts forever. When the doctor was ready I helped her prepare for the injection and at the time seemed like nothing to me. Almost as if this injection was not going to end his life but magically make him better. She barely finished the injection and he was already gone. Motionless and blue gummed. Jeremy and I stood there for a couple minutes kissing him, hugging him and crying. We collected our things and left in complete and utter devastation.

To Arges: Thank you for loving us as much as we loved you. We’re sorry we only had a week with you but it was the most meaningful and happy week of our lives and we know it was for you, too. Hopefully, you enjoyed when your dog sister gave you baths because she knew you weren’t feeling well and you needed a mama bear. Thank you for showing us so much love and such a different type of love. You are always and will always be loved.