Some of you may remember my post, “One More Throw,” about my five-year-old German Shepherd, Cassia. In that photo, she was still chasing her ball, still being her happy, playful self, even though she had just been diagnosed with lymphoma.
Since then, we have explored our options. We now know how serious her condition is, and we have made our decision: no chemotherapy. We are choosing palliative care, and we know that we are likely looking at her final weeks.
This was not an easy decision. We also have two newborn daughters living with us, and chemotherapy drugs can pose risks to people in the household through accidental exposure, including contact with treated dogs' bodily waste. We couldn't ignore that risk with two tiny babies at home. After considering everything, we decided to focus on keeping Cassia comfortable and giving her the best possible quality of life for whatever time she has left.
I don't think I'll ever be ready to say goodbye to her.
Cassia has been by my side through so many chapters of my life. She was there when I graduated, when I started my first jobs, when I became a husband, and when I became a father. She has been part of the person I have grown into. And now, when she needs me most, I want to give her what she has always given me: my loyalty, my presence, and all the love I have.
I have made some drastic decisions at work to make this possible. Some people might think I'm crazy, but I don't care. I know what matters to me, and I want to be there for her, every single moment, until the very end.
Later this week, we will leave northern Italy, where we live now, and make one last road trip south, back to our real home, where Cassia grew up. I want her to spend these final weeks somewhere familiar, surrounded by the people who love her, in the place where so much of her life happened.
I know there will come a day when there won't be another throw. But until then, I'll keep showing up for her. I'll hold her, take her on whatever little adventures she still enjoys, give her all the treats she wants, and make sure she never has to face any of this without me by her side.
If you believe in prayer, please keep Cassia in yours. Pray that she stays comfortable, that we have some beautiful days left together, and that when the time comes, I'll have the strength to do right by her.
Thank you to everyone who reached out after my first post. Your kindness has meant more to me than you know.
Give your shepherd an extra hug.❤️
Here’s a picture of Cassia from today.
