Poof was scheduled for surgery this morning, but last night he had a seizure and his heart stopped. He was at the vet hospital with caregivers on hand, and they did everything they could to save him, but were unable to do so. We are all very sad here, but we wanted to get the information up.

We do still have veterinary expenses for him, so we're paying part of those with donations. We'll still have a balance, so if you're here and want to donate, we can still use it, and we thank everyone who has helped Poof get the care he needed.

All of us here, from Poof's family (and Poof) to the volunteers at Sierra Cares, appreciate your caring and support. Without you, Poof would never have even had this chance. Thank you from all of us.

My name is Poof (don’t know why my human mom would choose such a name, as I am a handsome big boy, but we can’t always choose our names). I am an orange and white cat with green eyes. I am (usually) between 14-16 pounds, but since my kidneys need help, I am struggling in the low 13-pound range.

My mom thinks I am the most special thing to come along since sliced bread. She says it is because I care so much about others, animals and humans alike. When I was a kitten, I sat back and let my five brothers & sisters nurse before I did. Of course my cat mom awarded me with more milk when they finished their feeding frenzy; hence I was the biggest one of the litter. I have eaten alongside other friends...raccoons, possums, skunks, dogs, and other cats…I love them all and have never killed, or want to harm any of them.

So here’s what my human mom has done in the past for work, before she became ill and not able to afford my medical care. I have worked with her, so that’s why I am telling her story...so you can learn a little bit more about me and what I’ve helped her with.

My mom, Kiley, is an investigator. She has consulted on numerous kidnapping & murder cases. She is now ill and has very little money we survive on until she gets better. She is trying to get healthy so she can again help others and make money. But I don't know if I can wait that long. It may come too late to help me, so that’s why she's helping me ask for your help.

Here’s one story of how I worked with my mom:

The first time I actually helped her on a case (other than her talking to me, and me consoling her), was for a case of a missing lady in a state a long way from us. All the other investigators, the police, and the FBI, could not find her. It went on for months.

So one night when Kiley was about to go to sleep, she began talking to me about the case. She had just finished a phone call with the husband of the missing woman. The investigators were saying she was probably dead by now, as her car had already been found and there were witnesses to her abduction, but they needed to find her body so the family could have some peace.

Since Kiley & I are so close, we have been active in each other’s dreams many, many times in the past. We can talk like you humans when we do that. So on this one particular night, I could see how exhausted and worried Kiley was. As she asked and prayed for help in finding the woman before going to sleep, I listened. When she was sound asleep, I climbed up on her chest and dreamed with her. My mom doesn’t know how I do it, of course I do, but I’m not telling…not just yet.

Well, I knew where the woman was buried, so I told my mom (in her dream) to follow me and I would show her where the girl was. And she did. When mom woke up, I was still on her chest. We both smiled at each other, she kissed and thanked me, got up, took the notes of what she learned in our dream, and then called the authorities. The police concentrated a search in that area, and, within a few hours, the woman was found.

I have since worked on other cases with my mom. She says I am a big help. I love saving and helping people with her. We are a real team. It makes me feel good. So now that you know a little bit about me & my mom, I will tell you a little bit more about my medical problems.

I have had renal (kidney) problems for the past 4 years. I have been doing really well until this last February, 2008, when my kidney values started going up. My creatine level was staying in the 3.0 range, but jumped to 4.7, then 6.7, and now in July, 2008, it is at 7.2. My BUN levels are about 84. My doctor says it is time for me to get a new kidney. All my other medical values are great. I have nothing else wrong with me. I still have a lot of energy, and I eat pretty well. My vet, along with others, say the kidney transplant program has come a long way, and has almost an 85% success rate at U.C. Davis. It could give me 10 years or more of life if I and God choose so.

My doctor who is treating me before and after my surgery, Dr. Todd Conlan of Waterhouse Animal Clinic in Fresno, California says I am a good candidate, as I am healthy in all other ways, but my kidneys may not last to the end of the year. Kiley gives me Sub-Q fluids every day (that means I am stuck by a needle every day), but I don’t mind. It only takes her and Grandma June five minutes to do so, and they sing a lullaby to me which I like. They give me pills and I have no problems with them, so they say that makes me a really good patient.

When I have the surgery at West Vet Emergency Specialty Center, in Garden City, Idaho, by Dr. Brourman, they tell me I will be going home with a new playmate. The program mandates we adopt the donor kitty, which I am totally in favor of...yay!

We are grateful for any donation you are able to give. The bags of fluid (Sub-Q) can cost from $18 to 35 a bag, and I go through one bag a week. My medications & testing currently costs my mom over $250.00 every six weeks. I know it is a costly surgery, about $11,000, and with the medication and testing pre and post-op, it totals to approximately $18,000. I can't bear to leave my mom and I know she feels the same. Besides, I have lots of work to do!

Please help soon while I am still a good candidate for surgery. All the donations go through a nonprofit and are tax deductible, and they will pay my medical bills directly. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I will dream good things for you too.