“On July 26th, 2017 – Our family was shattered and our hearts broken. We found Elliott on the ground gasping for air. We quickly rushed to Canada West hoping we could save our little guy. Within the instant we opened the door, we had a doctor help our kitty. We knew that we could trust the care of the doctors and nurses, and we stayed positive knowing our baby was in good hands. After his assessment, we found out that Elliott had major trauma to his body. The doctors handled our situation so gracefully and educated us on what that meant for Elliott’s life going forward. The three traumas to Elliott’s body could be repaired by the doctors and surgeons and if surgery was a success, he could live his normal kitty life again. As his mom, and him my fur-baby, I knew that we had to go through with anything we could do to save him. For two days, Elliott stayed on oxygen before he was a stable enough candidate for surgery. In this time, the ICU nurses kept our family updated, answered all our questions, and gave us many hugs for support. Without these incredible human beings, we wouldn’t know where we would be today. The day of surgery came, and it was the most painful, anxiety filled hours of our lives. We knew that he was in the best of hands, and the surgeons were prepared for anything. We received the phone call just after 8 p.m. on July 28th, and the surgeon said the words, “Elliott did great, the surgery was a success” We broke down and knew our little fluff was going to be okay.

Without the quick action of the staff, doctors, and nurses at Canada West, we would have a piece missing. We are so grateful for the love they have been able to give Elliott, and the support they have given me in the most difficult time in our lives together.

With this surgery and care, this also came with financial challenges.  With my partner in her 4th year of college, we tried everything to come up with what we could so Elliott could stay the first night. We exhausted our “just in case fund” and were able to collect enough to get Elliott the surgery he needs. Our family is so grateful for the support of the Jesse + Bandit fund, the surgeons, doctors, ICU nurses, desk staff, and everyone at Canada West. We are so excited to be at home and recovering together.

We have placed Elliott’s brother, Finnegan on the ‘blood donor’ list, because we know if this would happen to any other family, we would want to help. And when we are recovered, we will give back to the amazing supportive hospital and humans that gave hope again for our family.”

Elliott was born outside under a porch to a stray momma, along with six other babies back in the spring of 2016. When we saw his little fluff face, we knew that we wanted him in our family. With Elliott, we also adopted his brother from the same litter. We had two kittens and the two of us. I walked away from the foster’s home, and turning to my partner I said, “Our family is now complete.”

Elliott’s personality is unlike any other kitty we have had before. He chirps “Hello!” to us in the morning and when we give him a hug. He trills around the house calling for his brother, and the best of all, he loves his belly rubs. When he sees us coming in for a big belly rub, Elliott will flop on the ground and go completely upside down. Not to mention, how gloriously handsome he is. Elliott continues to entertain his Instagram friends (who are other kitties from around the world) with his kitten-ish good looks and that time he had one white whisker…