This is my dog Dora –previously featured on dogshaming, who I’m now proud to reverse shame.
In March of 2011, after an emergency splenectomy, Dora was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. The oncologist said that even with chemotherapy, Dora would likely only live 6 months, but we crossed our fingers, and said our prayers, and started her on a low-dose chemo protocol in order to give her the best life possible for as long as we could.
That was 30 months ago. And she’s still her wonderful, hoarding, food stealing, loving and adorable self, so if she wants to defy her diagnosis, I’m happy to reverse-shame her for it.
Baby is part of our Reverse Dog Shaming Contest. If you’d like to participate, feel free to submit your pet here.
Sambo
Lost mine to Hemangiosarcoma almost 3 years ago. Glad to see Dora is kicking it’s butt!
Tina
Lost mine too. So heartbreaking to watch them fade. Sorry for your loss. Yay for Dora!
Tina
My boy passed 8 years ago. I still cry. Still miss him. Always will.
fadingsunlight
Aww! Congrats, Dora! <3 🙂
Leslin
Good going, sweetheart!! hats off to your mommy and daddy for taking such good care of you! 🙂
Akemi Bennett (@MysticDragonfly)
That is the most wonderful news!!! Yay Dora!!! Good on you for not letting those doctors give you an expiration date Sweetie Pie!!! <3 <3
Pat McDonald
Way to go Dora – Give your Momma and Daddy a big kiss for taking such great care of you – such a cutie pie!
JN
I have a similar story. Mine lasted a year and a half after diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma, and I lost him to pneumonia – the cancer was still in remission.
To Dora’s people: Take any tiny symptom very seriously. I didn’t realize how messed up my dog’s immune system was and that was a fatal mistake.
snarkarina
JN, Thank you – I do call the vet for every little thing, and so far it has all been *little* things–though the choice to update her immunizations has been agonizing (we’re doing titers for everything we can, but when they’re not available have to weigh risks of catching disease against risk of getting a shot.
And a lot of credit does also go to our amazing vet who ALWAYS makes time for me and Dora and who gave me the most amazing piece of advice, “She doesn’t know she’s sick; don’t treat her like she’s sick–she’ll worry if you treat her differently and that can actually impact her quality of life.”
tigerarchivist
So happy Dora is beating the odds. You go, good dog!
Sarah
Way to go!! Hemangiosarcoma (on liver) took my baby from me in 2012 — good to see you are beating it!
Deborah
Dora has her own Facebook page: Dora Mae Peapod is Too Awesome for Cancer! https://www.facebook.com/aDORAblepants?hc_location=stream
Gerri
YAY!!!! for Dora! Live long and prosper! Every day we get with our babies is precious.
Kaylie
Way to go! What a fighter… and such a pretty smile! 🙂
Patti
Good job Dora!! You have wonderful people pets who to look after you! Keep smiling!
Betty
Way to kick a@@ Dora. You go girl!
Jennifer H.
She’s the “Valerie Harper” of dogdom! Go Dora and Valerie!
Heather
Good dog Dora!! You keep being your wonderful self, living each day to the fullest.
Jennifer M.
She looks so happy! ! ♥♥♥
Leanna
God bless sweet sweet Dora and “f” cancer!! I hope she continues to thrive and live a full life! Yes, and do all the shameful things that she wants 🙂
Dodie Miller
YAY! Dora, you’rs so cute! Keep smiling!
susanne shakeri
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story! It gives me hope! My beautiful chocolate lab mix was recently diagnosed with sarcoma. We still don’t know the type as the cytology report came back as inconclusive. She will have surgery on Tuesday to try to remove the very large mass. May I ask if you used any homeopathic treatments in conjunction with the low dose chemo? I want to try everything possible for my sweet girl. She means the world to me!
weebzm
And DORA won!! congrats, sweetie, you beat cancer and you’re kicked Reverse Dog-Shaming’s butt too!
Jane
My dog Tank was just diagnosed with splenic hemangiosarcoma last week. He starts chemo as soon as his splenectomy wound heals. Seeing your post made me hopeful that Tank can be more stubborn than any tumor. He’s been a freak of nature so far (Healthiest Bulldog anyone’s ever seen). Go Dora!
Donna DeWeese
My Boo Radley had hemangiosarcoma in his chest, but not in his internal organs, and after surgery lived 5 more years to a ripe and wonderful age of 13. Still weepy every day to come home to a house empty of my Dal. Wish you the best.