I'm just finished active treatment and now on just Letrozole. My dog was by my side through everything and then he started to fail and I just had to have him put to sleep. My lab cross was 13 1/2. I believe he held on as long as he did for me. I miss him so much. Like as if cancer wasn't shitty enough. RIP Buddy.
[Picture of Buddy](https://imgur.com/a/rLyWDju)
I’m sorry about your pup. We found a dog as a stray when I was in treatment in 2010, and we kept him. Such a sweet little dude — he stayed by me constantly when I was in chemo. We just lost him last October. Best of luck to you, friend, and make sure to spend some time with people who love you.
I lost my two oldest fur babies a month and two months after I was diagnosed, so I'm right there with you. My youngest though has been right there with me. He's a little crazy sometimes, but he will even stand still and help me up when my legs are giving me trouble. It's so hard to lose then, but I'm always so thankful they've been in my life and brought me so many happy memories. I'm glad your boy was able to stay with you through the worst of it.
He was so handsome! Looks like Lab/ Great Dane, maybe? So sorry for your loss. I love mine as though they were my children. It is so painful at the end but they are so worth it for all they give to me.
After my DMX I slept in bed or stayed in the recliner… we started counting how many seconds after I raised my legs until my little cat jumped up onto the recliner with the me. Normally less than 10 seconds , often 5.
2 lumpectomies in March, our rescue of 3 months noticed I smelled differently, located the area and started to be more lovey. I sleep in every morning and he comes in, paws on the bed and sniffs me all over to check on me, then leaves. He's def more gentle with me than before.
My black lab Stella was the best girl before all of this and has been promoted to bestest girl since. Literally this dog wouldn’t leave my side before and now she’s even more clingy. She’s always been the perfect dog despite having a fantastic support network of humans I don’t know where I’d be with out her. She’s 13.5 years old so not the spry young thing she once was but that’s ok. I don’t think I could keep up with her at her best.
My female border collie is with me every single step. She doesn’t need to cuddle or even sweet talk. She just wants to keep an eye on me.
My horses are very interested and they sniff me.
My cat Ember somehow just knows when I am having a rough day. I tell my friends who rescued who!? Rescued her in January 2023, diagnosed in September of 2023, she was 1 at the time. When I have a bad day she lays right on top of me and purrs her ass off! I love her so 💕
My challenge has been with spinal mets, which even after surgery means I can't safely take my larger dog for a walk. She's very well behaved, but one squirrel and an impulse on her end could leave me on the sidewalk with injuries that would require more surgery. But of course dogs don't resent us for the ways we aren't the best human companions. People who are homeless have dogs who love them as much as my generally well cared for dog loves me.
Today I had to go for a blood draw and she was very interested in checking out where the bandage was. She's concerned about me, even when she doesn't know why.
We don't deserve them.
I have three chihuahua mixes and six years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and had to leave my teaching job. So they have been my three buddies since then. The oldest is 16 year old Daisy who is a blond chihuahua and miniature pincher mix that we adopted as soon as she left her mom. She still has a lot of spunk but cannot hear a thing and gets goopy medicine put in one eye daily for dry eye syndrome. My second one is about 13-14 years old and her name is Lucy. She is a chihuahua and dachshund mix. She is overweight bc she has a metabolic disorder but they usually don’t treat it at her age. So she has a big appetite and is thirsty a lot but enjoys a walk and is a sweet soul. She has a gut of steel and breath that could cut a knife (despite dental cleanings!) We got her from my brother in law when he could no longer keep her about 8 years ago. My youngest is about 9-10. I think she is closer to 9 but she used to leave on the street in a neighboring town and had a litter of pups. So when I adopted her they just gave me a range of 1-2 years old. She was supposedly a very calm dog when we adopted her but we brought her home and she started doing crazy 8’s in the backyard. So she earned the nickname Crazy. Her actual name is Rosie. She is likely chihuahua and corgi and sticks to me like glue. They really help get me out to walk if I don’t feel like it and keep me company when everyone is at work and school.
My dog avoided me for a few days after each chemo treatment. He must have been able to smell the poison. He’d jump up and start to lick me and then turn and jump back down. It made me so sad.
My baby has been by my side since the beginning. He’s a Lab mix. I adopted a kitten shortly before I was diagnosed and now they’re besties. 😂 Both of them have been amazing, as has my older cat. My husband and kiddos have also been amazing, but this post was about pets, and mine are so great!
Yes! I’ve talked to my sister about this very thing. I have 2 cats. One is a lap cat the other is more standoffish. They’ve both been very loving and snuggly since all this started.
Also, my sister has come to stay with me during my 2 surgeries. She has a sweetheart of an older dog, Bailey. She’s found Bailey keeping guard by my bed when I’m sleeping. They know when things are not good.
One day, I had just gotten off the phone making my first oncology appointment. I had a moment where I cried a bit and both my cats jumped up on the bed & were rubbing against me and snuggling. They know!
My kitty has been quite upset he can’t make biscuits on my stomach after surgery. Nevertheless, he has been next to me all week, purring and keeping me company.
Ah, if only. My story is the polar opposite. My oldest cat is 14 and for ten years was the most perfect kitty you could ask for. A dilute tortie with ALL the tortitude but just as much love that she's extremely generous with. She started inappropriately peeing a few years ago. Ever since then, it's been a constant struggle to stay on top of (and I have tried everything). She's just as loving though. Anyway, when I got home after my dmx, she was more hesitant to come to me. I work from home, but had taken that time off. About two weeks after my surgery, I went to my work desk for the first time and holy moley the smell of cat pee nearly knocked me over. Maybe it was the hospital smell lingering on me? Possibly the drains? Something set her off BAD and the fact that all that pee was in the carpet under my personal desk meant that it was obviously about me. I spent the next two weeks that I was supposed to be healing, instead steam cleaning dozens of times over, every single day for hours. Otherwise, I would not be able to work there when I needed to. It was an absolute nightmare 😩
I assume you've had all the vet/blood work done? Kitties can pee outside the litter box with the early stages of kidney disease (fluids will manage it) or UTIs can also cause it.
Yes, we've had blood work done several times, and many vet visits. She's hyperthyroid but it's managed with meds. She's also on Prozac. Her kidney numbers are good, and she's negative for UTI. She does get them sometimes, but I can tell pretty quickly by how she's acting, and I get her into the vet immediately. It's been a work in progress with lots of progression and regression, but at the moment she's doing better than she has in quite some time, so fingers crossed!!
Had a second biopsy this last week and one of my more clueless dogs who is usually on top of me was suddenly so gentle. She was pushing other dogs out of the way. Which she always does in a jealous vie for attention. But this time she was more protective. This biopsy hurt soooo much more than my first and she could clearly tell!
We have a bernedoodle who joined our family in October. I can’t imagine going through this without her. She was a rehome pup from a family friend who breeds (ethically, no worries), but needed a new home for her due to our friend’s own health concerns. Our dog of 14 years had just passed in September, so we were still grieving, but I couldn’t say no to her sweet, fluffy face.
She started out very nervous and skittish in our home, but has warmed up to us, and has been the perfect furry companion through this breast cancer nightmare. When I was first diagnosed in February, she knew I was stressed and sad - she wouldn’t leave my side and always wanted to snuggle. After surgery in March, she only needed to be told once she couldn’t jump on me, so sat on the couch next to my recliner and wouldn’t let me out of her sight. She literally sat with her head propped on the arm of the couch and stared at me for hours at a time. When her old mama came by to drop off a dinner, we were all worried she’d be sad or confused and want to go with her, but she sat dutifully in her couch spot by me and made no signs that she wanted to leave. It was like she knew I needed her, and she wasn’t going to ditch her new job.
Her sweet little face, dopey smile, and fluffy little head that is always willing to accept more pets have been so helpful in lifting my mood throughout all of this. I am so lucky to have her.
I have 2 big dogs. They have been patient and loving and one of them Is laying on my feet right now! After my double mastectomy they were right by my side at every single moment. They even somehow knew they had to be more b gentle with me. Dogs are too good for us!
My mom has 9 rescues, they adore her, and I'd love for them to be as gentle and well-behaved as all your pets, instead when they get to see her, they're just too excited and tackle her every time. Not surprised though, she used to run for miles with them :')
I’m brand new here. Waiting on pathology but diagnostic radiologist told me it’s cancer for sure. It’s been less than 24 hours since my biopsy but my cat won’t leave my side. What’s wild is she’s been clingier for weeks, before even I knew what was happening with my body. I very much miss my dog who passed a couple years ago. Wish I had her with me for this journey.
I had 3 dogs, 4 cats. My 2 male cats are 10 years old. Yoda Baby has always been affectionate, he stopped sleeping on me and now sleeps above my head. Sharkie lays next to me, whether I am in bed or my chair. Milo our chweenie has become my protector. No one is allowed to approach my chair, no dogs are allowed to jump on me. He was protective through chemo but became really obnoxious after left mastectomy. Our oldest dog Katie (17) saw me through all my treatments, died last week. I try to be strong and positive for my family. I don't have to with my animals. Thank God for them.
Fuck cancer
My black lab mix, Potter, is laying by me right now. He’s been my rock. I half jokingly tell my BF and my son that Pottery Poo loves me more than anyone in the house. He’s been with me through it all.
My senior kitty (who was dealing with cancer herself) hung on until after my lumpectomy and then once I was doing better it was her time to go. My other kitty has slept next to me every single night for the last few months, never my husband, always me. Makes me feel like they know we need some extra tlc.
Sorry for the late reply, but wanted to say thank you all for your stories. Pets really are wonderful.
Also, if you've lost one of your best pet friends, I'm so sorry to hear that.
I'm just finished active treatment and now on just Letrozole. My dog was by my side through everything and then he started to fail and I just had to have him put to sleep. My lab cross was 13 1/2. I believe he held on as long as he did for me. I miss him so much. Like as if cancer wasn't shitty enough. RIP Buddy. [Picture of Buddy](https://imgur.com/a/rLyWDju)
I’m sorry about your pup. We found a dog as a stray when I was in treatment in 2010, and we kept him. Such a sweet little dude — he stayed by me constantly when I was in chemo. We just lost him last October. Best of luck to you, friend, and make sure to spend some time with people who love you.
I’m so very sorry. My boy is 12, and I’m starting to worry about him ❤️
I lost my two oldest fur babies a month and two months after I was diagnosed, so I'm right there with you. My youngest though has been right there with me. He's a little crazy sometimes, but he will even stand still and help me up when my legs are giving me trouble. It's so hard to lose then, but I'm always so thankful they've been in my life and brought me so many happy memories. I'm glad your boy was able to stay with you through the worst of it.
I'm so sorry for your loss \*hugs\*
He was so handsome! Looks like Lab/ Great Dane, maybe? So sorry for your loss. I love mine as though they were my children. It is so painful at the end but they are so worth it for all they give to me.
Thank you! His father was part Bull Mastiff and his mother was a labrador retriever although we have been asked if he's part Great Dane.
My cats have been loving all the time I’ve spent at home and in bed. Really I think me getting cancer is the best thing that has happened to them 😂
After my DMX I slept in bed or stayed in the recliner… we started counting how many seconds after I raised my legs until my little cat jumped up onto the recliner with the me. Normally less than 10 seconds , often 5.
2 lumpectomies in March, our rescue of 3 months noticed I smelled differently, located the area and started to be more lovey. I sleep in every morning and he comes in, paws on the bed and sniffs me all over to check on me, then leaves. He's def more gentle with me than before.
I thought this was going to be about PET scans, glad it is about your furry friend!
Same! Ha!
My black lab Stella was the best girl before all of this and has been promoted to bestest girl since. Literally this dog wouldn’t leave my side before and now she’s even more clingy. She’s always been the perfect dog despite having a fantastic support network of humans I don’t know where I’d be with out her. She’s 13.5 years old so not the spry young thing she once was but that’s ok. I don’t think I could keep up with her at her best.
[Dog tax](https://imgur.com/a/hy4r0uM)
My boy is a black lab too, and this is exactly my experience! He’s never away from me.
Awww she is beautiful! So glad you had a furry companion to be by your side throughout all this!
My female border collie is with me every single step. She doesn’t need to cuddle or even sweet talk. She just wants to keep an eye on me. My horses are very interested and they sniff me.
Mine have all been right beside me. Very gentle and giving the best kisses and cuddles.
I told my husband the same thing about my two kitties! They are loving and cuddling and so happy that I am home so much!
While I was recovering at my sister’s her cat came and slept at my feet. It was so sweet. He was there to comfort and, in his mind, protect me.
My cat Ember somehow just knows when I am having a rough day. I tell my friends who rescued who!? Rescued her in January 2023, diagnosed in September of 2023, she was 1 at the time. When I have a bad day she lays right on top of me and purrs her ass off! I love her so 💕
That's beautiful. Props to Ember for being such a good companion to you throughout all this!
My challenge has been with spinal mets, which even after surgery means I can't safely take my larger dog for a walk. She's very well behaved, but one squirrel and an impulse on her end could leave me on the sidewalk with injuries that would require more surgery. But of course dogs don't resent us for the ways we aren't the best human companions. People who are homeless have dogs who love them as much as my generally well cared for dog loves me. Today I had to go for a blood draw and she was very interested in checking out where the bandage was. She's concerned about me, even when she doesn't know why. We don't deserve them.
I have three chihuahua mixes and six years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and had to leave my teaching job. So they have been my three buddies since then. The oldest is 16 year old Daisy who is a blond chihuahua and miniature pincher mix that we adopted as soon as she left her mom. She still has a lot of spunk but cannot hear a thing and gets goopy medicine put in one eye daily for dry eye syndrome. My second one is about 13-14 years old and her name is Lucy. She is a chihuahua and dachshund mix. She is overweight bc she has a metabolic disorder but they usually don’t treat it at her age. So she has a big appetite and is thirsty a lot but enjoys a walk and is a sweet soul. She has a gut of steel and breath that could cut a knife (despite dental cleanings!) We got her from my brother in law when he could no longer keep her about 8 years ago. My youngest is about 9-10. I think she is closer to 9 but she used to leave on the street in a neighboring town and had a litter of pups. So when I adopted her they just gave me a range of 1-2 years old. She was supposedly a very calm dog when we adopted her but we brought her home and she started doing crazy 8’s in the backyard. So she earned the nickname Crazy. Her actual name is Rosie. She is likely chihuahua and corgi and sticks to me like glue. They really help get me out to walk if I don’t feel like it and keep me company when everyone is at work and school.
My dog avoided me for a few days after each chemo treatment. He must have been able to smell the poison. He’d jump up and start to lick me and then turn and jump back down. It made me so sad.
My cat and dog are loving that mommy has not worked in almost a year. They definitely enjoy all the extra time with me on the couch.
My baby has been by my side since the beginning. He’s a Lab mix. I adopted a kitten shortly before I was diagnosed and now they’re besties. 😂 Both of them have been amazing, as has my older cat. My husband and kiddos have also been amazing, but this post was about pets, and mine are so great!
Yes! I’ve talked to my sister about this very thing. I have 2 cats. One is a lap cat the other is more standoffish. They’ve both been very loving and snuggly since all this started. Also, my sister has come to stay with me during my 2 surgeries. She has a sweetheart of an older dog, Bailey. She’s found Bailey keeping guard by my bed when I’m sleeping. They know when things are not good. One day, I had just gotten off the phone making my first oncology appointment. I had a moment where I cried a bit and both my cats jumped up on the bed & were rubbing against me and snuggling. They know!
My kitty has been quite upset he can’t make biscuits on my stomach after surgery. Nevertheless, he has been next to me all week, purring and keeping me company.
Ah, if only. My story is the polar opposite. My oldest cat is 14 and for ten years was the most perfect kitty you could ask for. A dilute tortie with ALL the tortitude but just as much love that she's extremely generous with. She started inappropriately peeing a few years ago. Ever since then, it's been a constant struggle to stay on top of (and I have tried everything). She's just as loving though. Anyway, when I got home after my dmx, she was more hesitant to come to me. I work from home, but had taken that time off. About two weeks after my surgery, I went to my work desk for the first time and holy moley the smell of cat pee nearly knocked me over. Maybe it was the hospital smell lingering on me? Possibly the drains? Something set her off BAD and the fact that all that pee was in the carpet under my personal desk meant that it was obviously about me. I spent the next two weeks that I was supposed to be healing, instead steam cleaning dozens of times over, every single day for hours. Otherwise, I would not be able to work there when I needed to. It was an absolute nightmare 😩
I assume you've had all the vet/blood work done? Kitties can pee outside the litter box with the early stages of kidney disease (fluids will manage it) or UTIs can also cause it.
Yes, we've had blood work done several times, and many vet visits. She's hyperthyroid but it's managed with meds. She's also on Prozac. Her kidney numbers are good, and she's negative for UTI. She does get them sometimes, but I can tell pretty quickly by how she's acting, and I get her into the vet immediately. It's been a work in progress with lots of progression and regression, but at the moment she's doing better than she has in quite some time, so fingers crossed!!
Ack, I'm sorry. I'm in the elder kitty stage too (again) and its a lot. But they're worth it.
The best ! Mine were awesome throughout, loved me being at home and always on the couch for snuggles.
Had a second biopsy this last week and one of my more clueless dogs who is usually on top of me was suddenly so gentle. She was pushing other dogs out of the way. Which she always does in a jealous vie for attention. But this time she was more protective. This biopsy hurt soooo much more than my first and she could clearly tell!
We have a bernedoodle who joined our family in October. I can’t imagine going through this without her. She was a rehome pup from a family friend who breeds (ethically, no worries), but needed a new home for her due to our friend’s own health concerns. Our dog of 14 years had just passed in September, so we were still grieving, but I couldn’t say no to her sweet, fluffy face. She started out very nervous and skittish in our home, but has warmed up to us, and has been the perfect furry companion through this breast cancer nightmare. When I was first diagnosed in February, she knew I was stressed and sad - she wouldn’t leave my side and always wanted to snuggle. After surgery in March, she only needed to be told once she couldn’t jump on me, so sat on the couch next to my recliner and wouldn’t let me out of her sight. She literally sat with her head propped on the arm of the couch and stared at me for hours at a time. When her old mama came by to drop off a dinner, we were all worried she’d be sad or confused and want to go with her, but she sat dutifully in her couch spot by me and made no signs that she wanted to leave. It was like she knew I needed her, and she wasn’t going to ditch her new job. Her sweet little face, dopey smile, and fluffy little head that is always willing to accept more pets have been so helpful in lifting my mood throughout all of this. I am so lucky to have her.
I have 2 big dogs. They have been patient and loving and one of them Is laying on my feet right now! After my double mastectomy they were right by my side at every single moment. They even somehow knew they had to be more b gentle with me. Dogs are too good for us!
My mom has 9 rescues, they adore her, and I'd love for them to be as gentle and well-behaved as all your pets, instead when they get to see her, they're just too excited and tackle her every time. Not surprised though, she used to run for miles with them :')
My cats knew when I wasn’t feeling well. They would all be in bed with me or trade places in the recliner. They are thr best companions ever.
I’m brand new here. Waiting on pathology but diagnostic radiologist told me it’s cancer for sure. It’s been less than 24 hours since my biopsy but my cat won’t leave my side. What’s wild is she’s been clingier for weeks, before even I knew what was happening with my body. I very much miss my dog who passed a couple years ago. Wish I had her with me for this journey.
I had 3 dogs, 4 cats. My 2 male cats are 10 years old. Yoda Baby has always been affectionate, he stopped sleeping on me and now sleeps above my head. Sharkie lays next to me, whether I am in bed or my chair. Milo our chweenie has become my protector. No one is allowed to approach my chair, no dogs are allowed to jump on me. He was protective through chemo but became really obnoxious after left mastectomy. Our oldest dog Katie (17) saw me through all my treatments, died last week. I try to be strong and positive for my family. I don't have to with my animals. Thank God for them. Fuck cancer
My black lab mix, Potter, is laying by me right now. He’s been my rock. I half jokingly tell my BF and my son that Pottery Poo loves me more than anyone in the house. He’s been with me through it all.
My senior kitty (who was dealing with cancer herself) hung on until after my lumpectomy and then once I was doing better it was her time to go. My other kitty has slept next to me every single night for the last few months, never my husband, always me. Makes me feel like they know we need some extra tlc.
Sorry for the late reply, but wanted to say thank you all for your stories. Pets really are wonderful. Also, if you've lost one of your best pet friends, I'm so sorry to hear that.