“She is my world”: Camilla’s Happy Tail
June 5th, 2023
By Savannah Verdon, Development and Engagement Coordinator II
Colleen had recently graduated from college and was living in New Orleans, completely financially independent for the first time. Joining her on this venture were her friend and roommate Patrick, and sweet little Camilla, an eight-month-old, green-eyed tabby cat. They had adopted Camilla when she was just a tiny kitten, and in the five months since, she had become the biggest source of joy and laughter in their home (though still tiny herself).
“Camilla has quickly become the most important thing in my life. I feel a responsibility and desire to provide for her in a way that I have never before experienced for another living being. Each day one of us wakes up with her on the pillow, and each night she goes to sleep under the covers.”
For over a month, Colleen had been out of work after receiving medical treatment for post-concussion syndrome. Camilla had dutifully watched over her the whole time, bringing the two even closer together. But while Camilla had been a fantastic nurse, she had a medical condition of her own that caused her pain every day. She had been born with an overbite and as her canine teeth grew, they poked the soft tissue of her palate. Not only was it painful, but it made eating difficult for her, and the constant irritation of her gums made developing an infection a likely possibility.
After consulting with a veterinary dentist, Colleen decided that having both of Camilla’s canine teeth removed would be the best course of action, even though it would mean putting her under anesthesia — a significant expense. Colleen and Patrick both worked jobs in the service industry, and their income didn’t go far in a city like New Orleans. And since Colleen hadn’t been working for so long, she had been getting by on the money she had in savings, which was not much to begin with.
She wouldn’t be able to return to work until her medical treatment was complete. In the meantime, she had applied for food stamps to ease some of her financial stress, but even that would take a full 30 days before she knew either way if she would receive some help. Colleen was in a tough spot, but she would find a way to pay for Camilla’s dental surgery no matter what because losing her would be tougher.
“She is still so young, and I look forward to the possibility of a life with her well into my thirties. She is my world. I do not know what I would do without her.”
Colleen and Patrick pooled their money and were happy to see that together they could afford a substantial portion of the bill. All they needed was that last little bit of help. On the advice of a friend, she applied for a RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant the same day Camilla had seen the veterinarian to be diagnosed. She had scheduled Camilla’s surgery for a few weeks out in case it would take longer than hoped for to have enough money, but just days after submitting her application, Colleen received the good news that she had been approved. Colleen and Patrick could focus on keeping Camilla content and comfortable in the days leading up to her surgery, rather than worrying about how they would afford it.
After the two teeth were successfully removed, Camilla came home. Now her overbite was just one more cute thing about her, rather than something that caused her so much pain. It was Colleen’s turn to dutifully watch over Camilla until she was fully recovered, and that she did. Just two weeks after the surgery, Colleen reached out with this happy update on sweet girl:
“Camilla is doing amazing. She had a course of medication for pain and inflammation following the surgery, and now she’s good as new and able to eat comfortably again. I truly cannot thank you and your organization enough for assisting in our effort to keep her healthy and happy.”
Compassionate people like you keep families just like Colleen and Camilla’s together in their moment of need. Thank you for committing to our lifesaving mission and making these Happy Tails possible! ♥️
