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Losing the Battle - Or So We Thought
I don’t know at what point that I decided to look upon cancer in my dog and cat patients as the ultimate enemy. As the general in the little veterinary clinic whereI worked, I wanted to be on the offensive with cancer just one time. Instead, I always seemed to be on the defense, and about three steps behind the enemy. Cancer is simply uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, and it always amazes me how such a tiny force can wreck so much havoc. For a 8 year old friendly Pitt Bull named Tyson that lived just two doors down, that force was now a large cutaneous hemangiosarcoma that started as a small red lump just under his skin. Over the months, it had become gnarly and already burst open more than once. My weapons were steroids to help reduce the size, medications to keep the pain at bay, and freezing of the edges to help portions die off over time. I had watched Tyson grow up with two other Pitt Bulls, as well as the Riley’s three children. His human mom, Renee, had asked me a few months earlier in the check out line at the Dollar Tree store, if I thought we could easily remove this tumor. Another veterinarian had told her it was a bad prognosis. I had let her know as gently as I could, that the odds were not in our favor. So today, with weeks of preparation, I was ready to stare this evil cancer right into the face, as I let his human dad know what my plans were for the day. I put on my game face before I entered the room for Tyson’s pre-operative exam. “James, Tyson’s gums still look pretty pale to me. The first thing I need to do is check Tyson’s blood to make sure he has enough platelets to clot his blood during surgery and enough red blood cells to efficiently carry oxygen. If the levels are not high enough, I will need to give him a blood transfusion, and the best candidate would be one of his littermates,” I stated. While the blood was processing in the lab machine, I had to see two other patients just to keep up with my morning schedule. When Stacey handed me the results, I took a quick look, and let out a long sigh as I headed back into Tyson’s room. “Ok, James, are you able to go get Po back at your house?” I asked. Po was fifty pounds of pure energy, and I had already warned James that we might need to sedate him just to get the much needed blood transfusion. “I’ll be back in about twenty minutes,” he said. This would give us enough time to get an intravenous (IV) catheter inserted and some fluids running to give him a boost. As I came back to the pharmacy area and noticed that every exam room was full. Kaitlin pointed to which one was first, and I said a quick prayer for strength and wisdom. Mrs. Crabtree wanted full exams, bloodwork, and an explanation of the results as soon as possible. In Room 2, Bosco, the Labrador Retriever, had yet another ear infection. In Room 3, was an euthanasia on a cat that was not allowing his owners to give him medicine to lower his high thyroid levels. I had already given him two sets of sedation, but his adrenaline and high rate stopped any chance of calm without the big drugs. So I went back in the room again to give him the best happy drug combination I could find before we could even think of trying to hit a vein with the euthanasia solution. These are the moments when my thirty years of veterinary experience sends me into the zone of slowing down to speed up the pace. I had Kaitlin and Stacey clean and treat Bosco’s ears, while I started the exams for Mrs. Crabtree’s cat and dog. Shilo stayed in the back with Tyson to monitor his IV fluids. I could hear the front doorbell ring as James and Po entered and went to the corner of the lobby until one of us could help them. I extracted myself out of Mrs. Crabtree’s room, which was no easy task because she was deep in the tale of her late husband’s rescue of their fluffy cat. I was able to give Po a sedative injection right away. Stacey appeared to grab Po’s leash and lead James around the back way to Room 2 as Kaitlin led Bosco out to the front so that his owner could pay the bill. Shilo was able to use her inner strength to lift Tyson off the back table and into a comfortable cage. I met Shilo and Stacey in Room 2 to start the blood donation. I inserted the needle into Po’s large jugular vein, and blood began to flow into the transfusion bag. Back in Room 3, Kaitlin held off a leg vein on the now serene Wally cat, so that I could administer the final injection. We could hear his sigh as the euthanasia solution took its effect, and felt both the owner and Wally relax as I gently removed the tiny needle from the vein. We let Wally’s owners spend a few last minutes with him so that they could begin to process all that had happened. As I went back to check on Po, I could see Mrs. Crabtree came to the door and cleared her throat loudly. “If we are going to do bloodwork it better happen soon because I have a hair appointment in a half hour,” she announced. Before I could respond, the door to the treatment room opened. “Dr. Fran, we need you in here now, there is a clot in the vein and blood line,” Shilo said in even a louder voice. I gave Mrs. Crabtree a sympathetic nod, and went in to solve the blood clot issue. I knew at that point, it was time to go to the old fashioned technique of drawing up individual syringes lined with the anticoagulant, heparin. I was able to get three 20 ml syringes filled before the jugular veins were blown. I explained to James that we would need to get as much of the blood as possible into Tyson before the surgery. I quickly checked to see if there was a reaction between Tyson’s and Po’s blood on a glass slide to make sure the transfusion would not be rejected by Tyson. No reaction occurred, so I let James know it would take about 1 ½ hours of slowly dripping in 1 ml of blood every thirty seconds, so the best plan was to take Po home and wait. Back in Mrs. Crabtree’s room, we easily drew blood for analysis from her little Sasha’s leg. Raymond her cat was going to be a whole other story. “I just see how you can’t seem to find a vein on Raymond. He is so thin and practically hairless, it should be easy,” she sniped. I felt like she laid down the gauntlet, and by no means was I going to let Mrs. Evelyn Crabtree win. It took me three more tries because of my arthritic thumbs, and I only got just enough blood in the syringe for a minimal amount of bloodwork. “Mrs. Crabtree, I will have to call you later with the bloodwork results,” I mentioned. “Well, I can text my hairdresser and tell her I will be a few minutes late. I am sure she won’t mind waiting for a Gold card client like myself,” she firmly stated. I let Stacey handle this situation while I raced to the back to make sure that Tyson wasn’t having a transfusion reaction. After listening to his heart and breathing with a stethoscope, I finally took a deep breath. Shilo and Kaitlin, ever the professionals, gave me a smile to let me know they could handle it. The blood machine had just given its “Bloodwork complete” ding, when Stacey came to tell me that our client with dementia was here to euthanize her old Chihuahua named Chip. She said someone had told her on the phone last week to come in at 10:30 am today. It’s hard to argue with dementia, and you should always tread lightly around a broken heart, so we guided her into Room 2. I went back to make copies of the bloodwork, but the copier wasn’t working. “Mrs. Crabtree, Raymond has non-significant changes in his bloodwork, but I will text you a copy and an explanation in a few hours,” I said. “I just don’t understand the slow service here today. What is going on?” she asked. “We have a dog in the back with cancer who is getting an emergency blood transfusion before we can surgically remove a large tumor,” I succinctly stated. “Why didn’t you say so in the first place. I will have Stacey check me out and I will leave you to your work,” she said with a gentler voice. With that, she gathered up her pet’s and headed to the front desk, so that I could attend to the euthanasia at hand. Meanwhile in the back, I had a decision to make about when exactly to do the surgery on Tyson. Should I let it wait a day, for the blood transfusion to have a full effect, or should I take the chance and get the surgery done today. My gut told me to look for a secondary bleed inside of his tired body. When I put my portable ultrasound probe on his abdomen, I received the answer to my question. “Only about one in five hemangiosarcomas under the skin metastasize to the spleen. Since the spleen is the cleaning house of blood in the body, it can be life threatening if a cyst or tumor in it ruptures,” I told Shilo and Kaitlin. Why don’t you give him some oxygen and warm him up while I call the owner to see how they wanted to proceed. I sat down at my small desk, and took a deep breath before I dialed the Riley’s number. This time, Renee picked up the phone when I called. “Renee, I want to let you know that Tyson has recently had a bleed from a cyst on his spleen in his abdomen, and that is why he is so pale. To go ahead with surgery, may not be the best option as he may not recover,” I let her know. “Dr. Fran, what would you do if it were your dog?” she tentatively asked. “My beloved deaf and blind Australian Shepherd named Sprite had hemangiosarcoma in his heart. We elected not to do any heroic treatments with him. My one regret was that I was not home when he passed away, but he had so much fun on his walk that morning. I feel that euthanasia would be the best solution in this situation,” I said as I felt my strong woman facade starting to slip. “It will take about thirty minutes for the whole family to get there. Tyson is my stepson’s dog, and he will want to say goodbye,” she said with tears in her voice. I let Shilo and Kaitlin know the change in plans. Tyson enjoyed the cheese whiz, peanut butter and turkey we gave him since he no longer needed to be fasting for surgery. I administered an injection of pain medications to him, as he licked up the treats. We kept him up on the table in the treatment room with the warm winter sun coming through the window, and oldies rock playing on the radio. There were many tears that flowed in the next hour. The euthanasia went smoothly as I used the one remaining undamaged vein on his back leg to slowly inject the euthanasia solution. There were many tears when he passed, but an overwhelming sense of peace. To do my job effectively, I have to be like a general, and not get emotional in the thick of things. On that day, I performed three euthanasias on beloved pets before 11:30 am. There were moments when I wanted to get angry, be sad, or even joke to bring any type of levity to the situations at hand. I knew I would do all three when I went home that day to evening to stare at the sunset and tell my own dogs all that had happened. . You see, sometimes our patients will lose the battle with their disease, but that prepares us for the next battle, by giving us experience. In the heat of the moment, I tend to suppress my emotions knowing that sometimes death is the ultimate healer by giving the patient and the owner peace.
By Laura L Hady25 days ago in Petlife
Clumping Cat Litter and the Necessity to Pick the Right Product for Your Kitty
There is no denying that cats are one of the best animal companions for individuals who lack the space necessary for other, more physically active pets. Sure, nothing beats the companionship of a Golden Retriever or the security brought by a German Shepherd. But dogs are not really suitable for apartment living, and in order to fulfil their physical and behavioural demands, you will need to walk them at least two or three times per day. That’s a bit of a challenge, one that many Aussie pet owners are not prepared to handle.
By Peter Morris26 days ago in Petlife
How to potty train your dog fast — even if you’ve tried everything.
Potty training is one of the biggest challenges dog owners face, no matter the age of their dog. Puppies are still learning all about the world, and adult dogs can come with habits built from previous homes. And when accidents keep happening, it’s easy to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and even defeated.
By Paw Planet 26 days ago in Petlife
From Chaos to Calm: Train Your Dog in 7 Days.
Bringing home a new puppy — whether it’s a puppy with tons of energy or an adult dog with old habits — can feel like stepping into beautiful chaos. One minute they’re melting your heart with those innocent eyes, and the next they’re chewing on shoes, barking nonstop, or running errands at 1 a.m.
By Paw Planet 26 days ago in Petlife
One Week to a Well-Behaved Dog: Your Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your dog’s behavior — jumping up, barking, pulling on the leash, or ignoring commands — you’re not alone. Many dog owners assume that training involves months of hard work, endless classes, and constant frustration. But the truth is, with the right approach, you can dramatically improve your dog’s behavior in just one week.
By Paw Planet 26 days ago in Petlife
How to Train Your Dog in Just One Week
Dog training can seem like a long, difficult process, but with consistency, patience, and the right technique, you can teach your dog basic obedience in just one week. Of course, some habits take longer to solidify — but a focused seven-day plan can get your dog on the path to being well-behaved and responsive.
By Paw Planet 26 days ago in Petlife
The Cat Who Knew Too Much
No one knew exactly where Whiskers had come from. One day, he appeared on the doorstep of the small neighborhood café, sleek black fur glinting in the sunlight and eyes that seemed far too knowing for an ordinary cat. The café owner, Zara, was the first to notice something unusual. Whiskers didn’t just wander aimlessly; he observed, waited, and appeared to understand things no one else did.
By Sudais Zakwan27 days ago in Petlife
The Loyal Hawk
Once upon a time, in a distant land, there lived a hunter. He was a young, brave man who often ventured into dense and dangerous forests in search of prey. Accompanying him on every expedition was a hawk—a loyal companion who had saved the hunter’s life multiple times. The hunter had great affection for this hawk, not only because of its loyalty but also because it helped him hunt smaller birds, providing an essential advantage in the wilderness.
By Sudais Zakwan29 days ago in Petlife
When the night falls silent, my dog starts barking.
When night finally settles in, I expect silence. The lights are off, the phone is charging, and the world feels like it’s holding its breath. This is the moment when everything is supposed to slow down. But just when the silence feels complete, it does.
By Paw Planet 30 days ago in Petlife
Explaining Nighttime Barking in Dogs
Barking at Night Can Be Confusing. Your dog may be calm, friendly with everyone, and seemingly well-adjusted all day. Then night falls, the house falls silent, and suddenly the barking starts. Every night. Sometimes briefly. Sometimes endlessly.
By Paw Planet 30 days ago in Petlife
The Rift Behind the Palace Smile
Behind the polished smiles, glittering gowns, and carefully choreographed royal appearances, a quieter and more complicated story was unfolding. To the world, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle represented modern royalty: intelligent, elegant, and destined to reshape the future of the British monarchy together. But behind palace walls, the reality was far less harmonious. It began not with shouting matches or public scandals, but with small moments—glances, silences, and subtle discomforts that slowly grew into something impossible to ignore. One of the earliest cracks appeared during the Royal Foundation Forum in 2018. The event was meant to showcase unity between Prince William, Kate, Prince Harry, and Meghan. Cameras captured smiles and friendly conversation. But backstage, tension filled the air. As Meghan prepared for the stage, she casually asked Kate if she could borrow her lip gloss. It was an ordinary request, the kind women make without thinking. Yet Kate hesitated. According to Prince Harry’s later account, Kate looked uncomfortable—almost startled—before reluctantly handing it over. It was a tiny moment, but it spoke volumes. To Meghan, the hesitation felt cold. To Kate, the request felt intrusive. Two women, standing only feet apart, were already operating by completely different emotional rules. Kate had spent nearly a decade learning how to survive inside the royal system. She understood restraint. She believed in caution. Every gesture, every word, every expression was carefully controlled. Meghan came from a world where openness was power. Hollywood had taught her to speak freely, to connect emotionally, and to command attention. She was confident, expressive, and unafraid of being seen. Neither approach was wrong. But together, they collided. At the forum, the contrast became obvious. Meghan spoke passionately, effortlessly engaging the audience. She appeared polished, confident, and natural on stage. Kate, pregnant and exhausted, spoke more quietly and cautiously, following the traditional royal style. Headlines soon praised Meghan’s performance. Some even suggested she had “stolen the show.” For Kate, who had spent years patiently earning her place, it felt unsettling. Behind the scenes, another comment worsened the situation. Meghan reportedly joked about Kate having “baby brain” during her pregnancy. Meghan may have intended it lightly, but Kate was suffering from severe pregnancy sickness and was physically struggling every day. The remark cut deep. Soon, the four royals sat down for a tense private meeting. Emotions were high. No one yelled. No one exploded. But nothing was truly resolved either. They left knowing one truth: coexistence was necessary, but closeness might never be possible. Then came the wedding. In the days before Meghan and Harry’s ceremony, a disagreement broke out over Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress. Rumors spread quickly that Meghan had made Kate cry. Meghan was labeled difficult, demanding, and cruel. Years later, Harry revealed the opposite: Meghan had been the one in tears. According to Harry, Kate insisted the dress needed to be remade entirely. Meghan, overwhelmed by wedding stress and family chaos, felt pushed too far. The argument ended with Meghan crying alone. Kate later arrived with flowers and apologized. The truth, as always, likely exists somewhere in the middle. But the damage was done. When Meghan publicly addressed the issue during her interview with Oprah Winfrey, she stated clearly: “The reverse happened.” With those three words, a silent war became public. Kate remained quiet, bound by royal tradition. Meghan spoke openly, determined to reclaim her narrative. William stood firmly by his wife. Harry stood firmly by his. Two brothers who once shared everything now stood on opposite sides of a widening divide. What makes this story tragic is not who was right or wrong. It is what was lost. Two women who could have been allies became symbols of rivalry. Two brothers who once walked side by side became strangers. A family built on tradition proved unable to adapt to change without breaking. The lip gloss, the dress, the comments—none of them truly mattered. What mattered was the clash of two worlds: Silence versus expression. Tradition versus transformation. Endurance versus reinvention. And once those forces collided, there was no turning back. The palace remained standing. But the fairy tale did not.
By Behind the Curtain30 days ago in Petlife
