I think we can all agree that senior dogs deserve all the love we can give.
Even though they’re older and no longer as energetic, they still do their best to bring love and joy into our lives.
That’s why we should do whatever we can to give them the wonderful life they deserve. Sadly, many older dogs don’t get that chance.
Because few people are willing to adopt senior dogs, many end up spending their final days in shelters. Serenity, a Pitbull mix staying at a shelter in Arizona, was one of those dogs.
It’s Never Too Late
At 12 years old, Serenity had been diagnosed with a mammary mass. Due to her age and the lack of interest from adopters, the Arizona shelter had no choice but to place her on the euthanasia list.
But once Love Them All Sanctuary + Rescue , a rescue based in Scottsdale, heard about Serenity’s situation, they quickly stepped in and gave her a second chance.
They welcomed her in and made sure she got the medical care she needed, along with a safe and loving environment.
Without wasting any time, the Scottsdale team arranged surgery to remove the mass. It turned out to be a bleeding melanoma tumor that had been hanging from her delicate body.
Thanks to the generous support of kind-hearted donors, the rescue was able to cover the cost of her treatments.
Knowing she also needed a warm and caring home to heal, they placed her in a loving foster home.
Taking It One Day At A Time
A week had gone by since Serenity had arrived at her foster home, and while she was clearly enjoying herself, her vet visit brought tough news.
Her tumor had come back as malignant.
The veterinary team still isn’t sure what lies ahead in Serenity’s journey, but every person around her is doing their best to make each day full of tasty treats, warm cuddles, and joyful memories.
Now, I want to share a few things about mammary tumors that everyone should know.
This condition is fairly common in dogs, especially unspayed females, as it’s one of the most frequent forms of neoplasia.
If you think your dog might have a mammary tumor, keep in mind that only half of these tumors are cancerous. The other half are benign.
Just because your dog has a lump doesn’t automatically mean it’s cancerous—only malignant growths are associated with mammary cancer.
The most effective and often recommended treatment is surgery. But as with Serenity, the tumor may sometimes return afterward. Fortunately, repeat surgeries can be done to help your pup return to a healthier and happier state.
So if you notice something unusual, try not to panic, and be sure to schedule a vet visit right away.