Given the frequency with which I haven’t posted this year, it probably seems odd to write a post announcing that I’m stepping back from the blog.
It probably seems I already did that, but it wasn’t intentional. Nearly every week I have the blog on my to do list. After my previous post, I told myself that I would lower my goal to posting monthly and to try spending 15 minutes each week on a single post. I figured if I could slowly build that habit, I’d get back into it and work up to posting at least twice a month again.
But I realized that my to do lists (yes, there’s more than one), are too long and I put unnecessary pressure on myself to get it all done. And I ultimately end up disappointed when I don’t get to certain things like posting to the blog.
I started this in part as a way to process my grief over losing Ziggy. And also to share what I learned from Ziggy and through his cancer journey. There’s still a lot that I want to share – some lessons not specific to him. But there are other things that I need to focus on and prioritize.
So, I am intentionally stepping away from goals or expectations with this blog. I may write when the mood strikes me, or you may never hear from me again.
I have also learned that blogging and creating social media content is not as simple as it may seem. I have gained more respect for those who pursue that full-time and even those who do it successfully as a hobby or side hustle.
Cheers to a happy holiday season and a new year!
Chip and Cookie posing with a Santa hat, reindeer snood, and Santa glasses. Christmas 2024
Well, I certainly didn’t plan on four months flying by after my last post. Nearly every week, I tell myself to make a post and not overthink it, but invariably, I find an excuse not to.
The pups had a busy few months with a trip to Key West, Chip’s first time at dog day at the beach, and a few minor health issues – fear not, everyone is well (and I plan to write about both at some point).
With the start of Ziggy’s cancer journey, coupled with the peak pandemic, since Thanksgiving 2020, the holiday has been one mostly spent with my husband and the pups. I’m grateful for the shrinking of the holiday as it reduces stress and allows for a long weekend to gear up for the end of the year. I’m not fond of the origin of Thanksgiving, but I like to take the opportunity to be more mindful of what I have to be grateful for each. Plus, it’s the “official” start to the Christmas season, which is always cozy.
This year, I’m particularly grateful for health—for the pups and for ours. Inevitably, we all experience varying degrees of illness or health challenges. While the last few years have been marked by canine cancer, I’m grateful that everyone is healthy overall.
It can be hard to express gratitude for what we have each day, but I am always grateful for Cookie and Chip, who always bring joy, comfort, and love, no matter what is happening around us. (And my husband, too, who can always be counted on to make me laugh – intentionally or otherwise! 😜)
He may no longer be with us physically, but today we celebrate Ziggy’s fifth gotcha day.
How it started
Cookie, before knowing she was about to be a big sister, on 3/23/19.
My husband and I first discussed getting a second puppy shortly after moving into our new home. Our main criteria was that Cookie had to approve. We hoped to get a puppy that would ultimately be about her size, not that there was any guarantee.
We attended an adoption event about a month before we ultimately adopted Ziggy. As the event was winding down, we found ourselves filling out paperwork to adopt a puppy. The puppy snapped at Cookie, and we, plus the rescue organization, decided it wasn’t the right fit/time.
For several days afterward, Cookie became super clingy—which is unlike her. While she enjoys our company, she is not affectionate and loves her personal space. We started rethinking a second puppy. Maybe Cookie was destined to be a furever only child.
The big day
On National Puppy Day 2019, we went to an adoption event. I didn’t realize it was purely an adoption event. I thought it was a pet expo with a bunch of dog vendors and some adoptable pups.
My husband and I argue over who saw Ziggy first, but since this is my version of the story, we’ll go with I saw Ziggy first and made a beeline for him. After an initial hello, we did a lap around the event and came back to say an extended hello. Something that stuck out to me is that there was a row of crates behind him and all the pups in that row were barking and being all kinds of rambunctious. Ziggy was quiet. He was facing them and interested in all their yapping, but he didn’t really have anything to say.
3/23/19: Ziggy saying hi before coming out of his crate.
When we opened the crate door, Cookie walked up slowly, sniffed him, and looked at us as if to say, “Ok, I sniffed him. Can we go home yet?” Ziggy was the only adoptable dog that she voluntarily went up to. Even before the previous month’s event, she seemed to know when we were around adoptable dogs and always looked nervous. As though she was worried that she was going to be exchanged.
My husband and I alternated saying hi, and Cookie kept her distance, ready to go home. The lady from the rescue group mentioned he needed a bath because he rolled in his own poop en route to the event. (Which he would eventually roll in some kind of poop at least twice…notably once during my WFH lunch break my first week at my new job at the start of he pandemic!).
There wasn’t even a hesitation about bringing him home, though Cookie immediately regretted showing the slightest interest.
Ziggy’s adoption day photo.
At home, Cookie happily played with Ziggy in the yard and on walksbut pretty much ignored him for about a week inside the house. It never bothered Ziggy, who was content with the attention his pawrents gave. Eventually, Cookie and Ziggy became BFFs, and Cookie proudly settled into her role as Big Sister.
We miss Ziggy every day, but we’re blessed to have loved him for three years.
Cookie and Ziggy shenanigans day 1.
Cookie and Ziggy shenanigans day 1 continuedSisters are nice sofas…Intense game of dentist…Partners in crime!A rare moment of Cookie tolerating cuddles.
Today is the two-year anniversary of Ziggy’s passing. It simultaneously feels like yesterday and 10 years. To commemorate, I want to share my experience with his death, memorializing him and grief.
Knowing when It’s Time
The first time I recall my husband and I talking about the end of Ziggy’s life was driving home from the vet in January or February 2022. I’m fairly certain it was after dropping him off for his splenectomy. Since the mass was found on his spleen and there was a little bit of internal bleeding, we knew we wouldn’t have him much longer, though we’d hoped to have him a couple more months than we did.
10 days before we said goodbye…Ziggy went out in his stroller for a favorite pastime……a trip to the doggy ice cream store!
We talked about how we’d want to euthanize him. While this was our first conversation, I had done some research at some point during the past year and a half since his diagnosis. I learned about an organization, Lap of Love, that does at-home euthanasia. I immediately knew that’s what I wanted for Ziggy and really any other dog. When I suggested it to my husband, he agreed.
We also talked about what symptoms or signs would be a signal that it was time for us. Fortunately, we were on the same page. Deciding on treatment and care over the next couple of weeks was relatively easy. We talked about it again when he went in for his transfusion and were again easily on the same page. The decisions in the last few days were harder. Especially when Ziggy continued to thump his tail when we came in the room, or he showed interest in going around the neighborhood in his stroller. We both feared the same thing – saying goodbye too soon or causing him to suffer. In the end, we both knew and agreed when it was truly time to say goodbye.
Lap of Love
One of the reasons I wanted Lap of Love is because of Cookie. I wanted her to be present for his death so that she would know what happened. Taking them both to the vet would have been too much. Cookie gets nervous at the vet; we would have been emotional about Ziggy and then stressed about Cookie’s stress about being at the vet.
Additionally, Ziggy went to the vet so much that we really wanted him to be at home and comfortable. We didn’t know it at the time that we had the conversation, but Ziggy was going to be at the vet a lot in the coming weeks. I posted a Ziggy update on March 1, 2022; he had been to the vet eight times since that January. He didn’t need to be going to the vet again on his final day.
2/14/22: An outing to the car wash post stitches removal from his splenectomy2/14/22: After getting his stitches removed and only a few days before he needed a transfusion.
A few days after having the stitches from his splenectomy removed, Ziggy had internal bleeding and underwent a transfusion. He was hospitalized for about 36 hours. When I brought him home, I called Lap of Love for information.
I am so grateful I called then. While it would be a few weeks before we called to schedule his passing, and while he was on the mend when I called, I was an emotional wreck. The person I spoke with that day (and every other time), was incredibly compassionate, a true angel. She answered my questions and took down our information. She was patient and calming through my tears and blubbering.
A few weeks later, when it was time, I just called them and asked for them to come the next day. And then called a short while later to see if they could come that afternoon. Being able to simply schedule it without having to go into Ziggy’s history, personality, or whether there was another dog at the house that day was a relief.
Cookie and Ziggy, exactly one month before Ziggy passed.
We’d hoped to euthanize Ziggy in the backyard, but it was raining lightly when the vet arrived, so we did it in our covered patio. We could have done it anywhere in the house, but Ziggy loved being outside, so we made him comfortable on the patio.
The veterinarian could not have been more sympathetic and caring for all of us. She walked us through what would happen. She took a few photos upon request (that I will never share), and took a paw print imprint. She also told us we could give him any last treats, even chocolate. Ziggy wasn’t interested in the chocolate or even a pupsicle (a favorite treat of his). Up till then, Cookie had been laying quietly, watching, by our side. But, upon seeing Ziggy’s lack of interest in ice cream, she was quick to do her brother a final “favor” and eat his ice cream. Even in death, these pups know how to make us smile.
Once he was gone, my husband and the vet carried Ziggy out in a stretcher, and Cookie, my mom, and I accompanied them. Cookie gave Ziggy a final sniff before his physical body left us too.
Memorializing Ziggy
A week or two later, we picked up his ashes at his vet’s. The ashes are stored in a wooden box engraved with his name and paw print. We received another paw print impression and a tiny glass vial with some of his ashes.
Those were part of the memorial space I created for him a top of a wooden crate (used mostly for decoration). I also created a photo book, added a framed photo, purchased a custom box to store mementos from his life, and added a candle.
Ziggy’s memorial space.
The outpouring of love from our community was also incredibly special. The most meaningful was when a neighbor a couple of houses over brought the most beautiful bouquet from her garden. When we first met, she was afraid of dogs generally, and was particularly nervous around our 50 pounders. We respected her boundaries, but with time, Ziggy won her over. She always asked about him, said hi, and one time when my husband was out with Cookie, told him to come back with “the friendly one!” Her gesture meant the world to me because she was once afraid of him.
Grief
The best description of grief is one that a friend shared that compares grief to the waves of the ocean. It’s incredibly accurate. One of the most interesting experiences in grieving Ziggy was watching Cookie grieve. Cookie is a more serious dog, so it was hard at times to know if she was grieving. There were plenty of moments in the days immediately after his passing that I thought I noticed Cookie grieving, but I may have been projecting.
The biggest wasn’t clear to me until three months later. After Ziggy’s amputation, we purchased two large orthopedic dog beds. We kept one in the bedroom and the other in the living room. In the last week or so of Ziggy’s life, he barely left the bed in the living room. (The three of us would rotate sleeping there with him or all stay there with him.) The bed was covered in sheets, towels, and blankets. They were heavily soiled. After he passed, I washed everything twice. Cookie refused to lie in that bed. Even when I swapped the one in the living room with the one in the bedroom, she refused to lie in the one in the living room.
Three months to the day after he passed, Cookie walked over and lay down in Ziggy’s living room bed.
June 12, 2022, Cookie laid in Ziggy’s bed for the first time since he passed.
Final Thoughts
Losing a fur baby is hard. It’s difficult for people who haven’t gone through it to understand how it can be harder than the loss of a human loved one. There’s no right or wrong way, or right or wrong time, to euthanize your furbaby. You may second guess yourself, thinking it was too soon or later than it should have been. You do the best you can. Do not let anyone else influence you. And don’t influence or pressure someone to make the decision the way you would. Every dog is different. What we chose for Ziggy may be different than what we choose for another dog in a similar situation.
Rest in peace, Ziggy. See on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
March 3rd (3/3) is Tripawd Awareness Day! While Ziggy was truly a three-legged dog, I managed to unintentionally capture an optical illusion moment.
Years ago, well before meeting my husband, I walked dogs as a volunteer at a local shelter. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to walk a three-legged dog. I was amazed at how happy that dog was – because he was three-legged and in a shelter.
Ziggy and Cookie, December 2021. Photo Credit: Jill Nero
When it was recommended that Ziggy’s hind leg be amputated, it was a hard adjustment, but having seen the joy and ease with which that shelter dog moved on three legs, it was an easier decision than for many.
I was fortunate to have found the Tripawd community online, which helped prepare us for Ziggy’s surgery and recovery. The resources in that community led me to find all of the other wonderful canine cancer and canine health resources I reference today, as well as recommendations for harnesses and more.
If you ever find yourself confronted with the prospect of amputation or adopting a tripawd, I strongly encourage you to turn to this community for support. They are truly priceless!
Whether it’s the pressure of society’s traditions or marking the end of a larger moment in time, many of us are motivated to form New Year resolutions. Last year was the first year that I formed resolutions for my pups.
Cookie and Chip’s resolutions were hopes that I had for what I would accomplish with each of them in 2023.
Resolution Tips
Any article about resolutions will give you advice that is applicable to all resolutions – keeping them realistic, achievable, etc. But there are three that are particularly important with your dogs.
First, keep it fun. Even if there’s a serious goal of improving behaviors (a la Chip), training should be fun – for both of you.
Second, consider your dog’s personality and interests. You may want to get them to jog with you, but if they don’t enjoy it or are not otherwise equipped for it, don’t do it! Make it YOUR resolution, not theirs.
Lastly, if the resolution is exploratory in nature like Chip’s trying new sports, be sure to monitor their response to it and adjust accordingly. Chip has a knack for barn hunt, and seemed to have fun. But, he refused to tunnel (a requirement to title beyond Instinct) and was difficult to leash up after his run. So, instead of just entering him in more trials, I’m going to take the time to try some training with it.
Similarly, I wanted to try nose work with him. After trying some initial training attempts after an unrelated class, he’s afraid of boxes. So whether or not we pursue anything will depend on whether I can help him overcome his fear.
Chip’s 2023 resolutions
Chip and his 2023 resolutions last year.
Chip’s resolutions were easy, considering he was a few days shy of six months old and still learning how to behave. Here are his resolutions (and subsequent outcomes):
Change [his] “official” name from Leave It Drop It No Chip to Good Boy Chip!
Result: Achieved! He’s not perfect, but we did five classes with him throughout 2023, culminating in earning his American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen certificate.
Try new sport(s).
Result: Achieved! I hoped to introduce him to multiple sports this year, but we only managed one – barn hunt. While he earned his Instinct title, he has a lot to improve upon before competing in another trial. Hopefully, in 2024, we can try a barn hunt class to see if he stands a chance of competing again.
Make [his] sister ❤️ [him].
Result: Achieved! As evidenced by the below photo taken yesterday, Cookie let Chip snuggle with her for more than 10 seconds (it lasted several minutes!). Cookie is not particularly affectionate and usually relocates almost immediately after any attempt to snuggle with her. She is increasingly tolerant, and she even sometimes worries about him being left behind. Make no mistake, Chip is still an annoying little brother that Cookie needs a mental health break from on occasion. But she no longer wants to return him.
Cookie letting Chip snuggle with her on the sofa, December 2023.
Dig more holes ‘cuz [he] ain’t nothin’ but a hole digger!
Result: Much to his father’s dismay, achieved! This was clearly a silly resolution and one that we hoped wouldn’t come true. But Chip has a penchant for digging holes. We’re managing the behavior by limiting his time unsupervised in the yard and ensuring he has better outlets for his energy.
Cookie’s 2023 Resolutions
Cookie posing with her 2023 resolutions.
At the time, Cookie was eight, going on nine, years. Over the years, she’s taken road trips and competed in multiple sports. The perennial good girl, defining resolutions for her was more challenging.
Do more sports (at a senior pace).
Result: Achieved! Similar to Chip, I’d hoped to do more than one sport with her at a senior level, but we only made it to barn hunt. While she participated, she is clearly no longer interested in the sport. I may enroll her in a class with Chip just to see if she regains an interest by taking a formal class. This resolution, though, was more about doing stuff with Cookie. She’s always enjoyed classes and loves pleasing us. So maybe it will take the form of classes next year, or maybe just going out for fun activities like farmers’ markets.
Tolerate [her] brother more.
Result: Achieved! Cookie has always been pretty patient, but she’s truly embraced the role with Chip. She is even more likely to initiate play with him than she was a year ago.
Eat more homemade food.
Result: The jury is out on this one. I intended on putting a Christmas gift from last year to use by making homemade treats. For many reasons, I ended up not doing this. On the other hand, we replaced Cookie’s kibble breakfasts with gently cooked food. Technically, it’s not homemade, but it is fresh food and higher quality than her kibble.
Move upstairs without anyone noticing.
Result: Failed! Like Chip’s fourth resolution, this was meant to be a joke that she would fail at. Sometime early this year, Chip developed a fear of the upstairs, so it’s now Cookie’s refuge. When she needs an escape from him, she goes upstairs and either lays in the guest room bed or next to my husband when he’s in the office.
2024 resolutions
I’d hoped to share our 2024 resolutions in this post, but I haven’t decided on them yet. I’m still reflecting on what we achieved last year and where I hope the pups are a year from now.
Follow us on Instagram to see us reveal our resolutions in a few days!
‘Tis the season for gift giving. If you’re like us, you include your pups (and those of your family) in holiday gift exchanges. And, you’re likely to appreciate receiving dog-themed gifts and gifting those to your fellow dog parent friends.
Gifting your pups
Cookie enjoying a gift, Christmas 2014
The most important part of gifting your pups is to consider their personalities. Like us, their interests may change as they get older.
Once upon a time, Cookie enjoyed getting toys as presents. Now, all she wants is food. So we ensure Santa Paws leaves a treat or a chew for Cookie. Chip enjoys the food, but he also LOVES toys.
If you have amassed an insane toy collection (as we have), keep some out of rotation. So, come Christmas, we save a large box and fill it with new-to-Chip toys that we will swap out with some of the toys he’s currently playing with. He may still get something new, but since the chaos of opening gifts is half the fun, we like to do this to bring joy without breaking the bank.
The holidays can also be a good time to refresh some of their staples, like upgrading their bed (or adding to the beds scattered in each room), harnesses, or collars.
We took advantage of Ruffwear‘s (I’m an Amazon affiliate and may earn based on qualifying purchases) Black Friday sale and purchased new harnesses for Cookie and Chip. We love these harnesses because they’re among the few brands that ensure a proper fit (hooking further down the body) without constricting shoulder movement. The Flagline model (I’m an Amazon affiliate and may earn based on qualifying purchases) also has a top handle that can be handy if you need to aid your pup in getting in/out of the car (or navigating a hike for the more adventurous). They have a back and front clip for the leash. Ruffwear harnesses are also great for tripawds since they go over the head and clip in the back – no balancing is needed like with step-in harnesses.
The pups have an extensive collar collection, but I can’t help buying a new one or two whenever 5 Dog Designs opens their Etsy shop. Their collars are cute, funny, and high quality. They have great BOGO deals (part of the reason we have so many) and even have a “recycling” program. I haven’t taken advantage of that yet, but I have a collar in mind to swap the next time they re-open.
Gifting Pawrents
Cookie and Chip posing with one of my gifts, Christmas 2022
Like gifting your pups, it’s important to know your dog-loving friends. If you’re gifting their pups, it may be harder to know what to get them if you don’t know their pawrenting habits.
For instance, pawrents are becoming more particular about the quality of treats they feed their pets. Be cautious about purchasing highly processed treats (commonly found in major pet retailers). Instead, look for high-quality, small-batch, single-ingredient treats.
Similarly, when it comes to toys, do you know their personalities? Some dogs destroy toys just by looking at them or tend to chew off certain parts that can become a hazard.
A safe bet can always be a gift card to independent pet stores or retailers like Chewy and Amazon, with a broad product selection. Dog-themed clothing, mugs, etc., are always welcome. Even if you think they have too much, we’ll always disagree. Great retailers on this front include I’d Rather Be With My Dog, Dog is Good, Teddy the Dog, and Life is Good. (You can find similar products at discount retailers such as Home Goods and TJ Maxx.)
Joy of the Season
Cookie and Ziggy by the tree, Christmas 2019
Giving presents to the dog pawrents, or their pups, in your life can be a challenge. Most pawrents would also appreciate donations to rescue groups or charities that are meaningful to them.
We are fortunate to be able to afford gifts for our pups (and ourselves). And while we don’t need gifts, some folks insist on gifting us. Donations (monetary or otherwise) to the rescues where we adopted our pups (e.g., A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue, Barking Outloud) or to those fighting canine cancer (e.g., National Canine Cancer Foundation) are also appreciated.
It’s the season of gratitude, and while we’re in a stable spot on our canine cancer journey, I’m reflecting on what I’m thankful for in how we experienced canine cancer.
The Pandemic
The pandemic was a source of fear, stress, and anxiety for all of us. But without it, I wouldn’t have been working from home and able to catch Ziggy’s limp. It’s impossible to know whether we would have caught the cancer as early as we did without the pandemic, but catching Ziggy’s cancer early was certainly a critical factor in his survival time.
The first dog
Ziggy, the happy patient, after his last traditional chemo treatment in April 2021.
I absolutely HATE that Ziggy was diagnosed with cancer and amputated a leg before his second birthday. It kills me that he died shortly after his third birthday. But I am grateful that he was the one to lead us on the cancer journey.
Ziggy was the best patient. He always smiled when going to the vet (which was a near-constant occurrence once he was diagnosed). He easily adapted to the tripawd life and showed us what resilience is. Ziggy’s pawsitive attitude and resilience made it easier for us to make treatment decisions and to figure out ways to maximize his quality of life.
Seeing how well he responded (physically and emotionally) to these challenges gives us the strength to make the best decisions for every other dog.
The unexpected prognosis
When we at long last learned that Ziggy’s cancer was hemangiosarcoma, we were devastated and afraid because of how short that prognosis tends to be. He was already three months post-diagnosis when we confirmed the type of cancer. We were incredibly fortunate to have 17 months with him post-diagnosis.
It would never be enough time, even if he’d lived to age 10. This success with cancer treatment not only softened the devastation of losing a pup so young but also gave us an optimistic lens when confronting the cancer journeys of subsequent pups.
Cookie’s Simpler Journey
Cookie recovering from surgery in April 2023.
When I first found Cookie’s lump on her leg in July 2021, my heart sank. How could we handle a second dog with cancer? Why is this happening so close to Ziggy? Given their age difference, it should have been unlikely.
While the prospect of two dogs with cancer simultaneously sucked, I’m grateful that Cookie’s cancer (soft tissue sarcoma) was less serious and more easily treated. She’s a terrible patient and tries to find a new family after each surgery, which are two reasons why I’m relieved that she hasn’t needed traditional chemo or radiation.
We’re fortunate to have an amazing holistic veterinarian, his patient and compassionate staff, a terrific veterinary oncologist, and the oncology care team to help keep our pups healthy.
Lessons Learned
I would never wish this on anyone, but this journey has taught me a lot. Sometimes, it seems like common sense (e.g., fresh food is better than processed kibble); everything I’ve learned helps to improve the care for Cookie, Chip, and any other dog that comes along. There’s plenty more that I could (or want to) be doing, but I do the best that I can right now. And I look for opportunities to make improvements wherever and whenever I can.
All the sources that have taught me about healthcare have exposed me to other resources, such as trainers. Exposure to more perspectives in all areas helps me be a better dog pawrent. It’s helpful when encountering new challenges, such as an anxious and sometimes reactive Chip.
Every day Gratitude
Most importantly, these cancer journeys are reminders to say yes to the pups as much as possible. To take them out for activities that bring them joy (like Cookie’s recent beach day and slide escapades). To let Chip lay on me a little longer in the mornings before getting ready for work. And appreciate all the time we are given because you never know when it will end.
Whether your furbaby is old or young, showing symptoms or not, the cancer diagnosis is likely to feel like a punch to the gut. There’s no right or wrong set of emotions to feel. You may be sad, angry, anxious, or afraid. Allow yourself the grace to feel your emotions.
Don’t try to suppress your emotions. It will only blow up later. Do try to process them away from your furbaby if possible. I know it may be hard, but they pick up on our emotions, and you want to minimize them picking up on the anger, sadness, or fear, which can increase their stress.
When dealing with Ziggy and Cookie’s diagnoses, Ziggy’s especially, we bawled, cursed, and screamed. We did our best to have the worst of our breakdowns away from the pups to minimize their stress. It’s not always easy or possible, but do what you can.
Once you’ve taken a beat to digest the news and process your emotions, it’s time to take action. That can look like many different things, depending on many factors.
You may want to consider a second opinion, which may come in the form of a specialist (i.e., a veterinary oncologist) or simply another vet. We did both with Ziggy because of his young age and our hope for a less traumatic diagnosis. Additionally, it was a few weeks before the oncologist could see us, so a second opinion with another vet was a good checkpoint while we waited for the oncology consultation.
I highly recommend a consultation with a veterinary oncologist. They’re more likely to be able to give you a range of treatment options, give you information on a prognosis, and other important details. If there isn’t a veterinary oncologist near you, you may be able to do a virtual consult (thanks, pandemic!) or at least have your primary vet consult with one.
Being human isn’t easy these days, and you may not have the privilege of time to do so, but I strongly encourage you to do what you can to learn more. Beyond the conventional treatments (surgery and chemo), most of the additional treatments that we started for Ziggy and Cookie (e.g., supplements, home-cooked foods, etc.) are ones found through DogCancer.com‘s resources.
The Dog Cancer Survival Guide (I’m an Amazon affiliate and may earn based on qualifying purchases) is my top recommendation. They present many treatment options that vary in cost and time intensiveness. They also have short podcast episodes, though I recommend selectively listening to topics of most interest to you based on your dog’s journey. Their Facebook support group can also be a source of comfort from fellow pawrents who you may relate to better than your family and friends.
Be your pup’s advocate
No one knows your pup better than you. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Consult with experts and others who have been through something similar, but remember the key difference: you and your dog.
You know your situation best. I do encourage you to explore and consider various options. That may include aggressive conventional treatment, hospice care, holistic treatments, or a little bit of each at different points in your journey. Everything from your pet’s age, cancer type/stage, and personal circumstances (i.e., financial ability, time constraints, etc.) will influence your decisions.
Treatment can add up financially, but there may be options to help with the costs. I plan to write about the tools we use to help manage expenses, but there are more options out there that I urge you to explore.
Dogs don’t have expiration dates
Don’t let anyone tell you that your pup only has a certain amount of time left. I’ve heard this repeated countless times with the DogCancer.com community – dogs don’t have expiration dates. Your vet or oncologist may tell you that with or without treatment, your dog has an average of N days/weeks/months. But that is an average that doesn’t include your dog.
Hemangiosarcoma is one of the most aggressive canine cancers. When Ziggy was diagnosed, we feared he may only have a few months. He lived 17 months post-diagnosis.
My parents’ dog, Brie, went to the emergency vet one night after collapsing (due to internal bleeding). She wasn’t supposed to survive the night, but my parents took her home when she returned to her usual self. Brie lived five months after that. While never officially diagnosed with cancer, based on what I learned about hemangiosarcoma, I suspect that’s what she had. With no treatment, she lived five more months being spoiled with all kinds of yummy food and love. The emergency vet suggested they could do surgery, but there was a possibility that she wouldn’t survive. My parents opted to take her home and forego treatment.
Ziggy coming home after his splenectomy.
What is right for one pup and one family may not be right for another. Even within one family, you may make different decisions for different dogs. Ziggy was young, and he was an EXCELLENT patient, going to the vet with a smile on his face. Cookie and Chip aren’t as easygoing as patients. That may factor into what options we choose for them.
Ask for help
Being human is hard. Being human while caring for a sick pet is harder. Whatever path you choose, ask for help. It may not be caring for the sick furbaby, but it may be helping with other stuff so that you can care for your furbaby.
Cherish every day
Ziggy enjoying a stroll in Key West 7 months after his amputation.
Most important: cherish each moment with your furbaby. We should do this every day, even when they’re healthy, and with all of our loved ones. But being human is hard, and sometimes we get caught up in the little things that don’t matter.
When they’re sick, regardless of what treatment path you choose, prioritize their quality of life. Do what you can to do more of what makes them happy. You won’t regret it.
Tripawds is an online community supporting pawrents of three-legged dogs and cats. Every year, they ask for photo submissions for their calendar. I never saw the requests in the past, but this year I did!
Cookie and Ziggy are featured in April as part of calendar #47.
This is one of my favorite photos because of the optical illusion. I didn’t even notice when I first took the photo. A friend commented when I posted the picture on social media!
It was hard to find a good picture of Ziggy that clearly showed him as a tripawd.
Tripawds has three calendars for 2024 – two canine and one feline. Ziggy and Cookie are featured in calendar #47. A calendar purchase helps support the Tripawd community, including the financial aid they offer to support those who struggle to opt for an amputation for their furbaby.
pawrentingtails.com 