Huckleberry

Huckleberry has a tragically beautiful story. Hospice cases are the most difficult kind. You have to be willing to put your own feelings aside to show up for a terminally ill dog. But every moment is worth it to see them happy. And we're grateful for every moment spent with Huckleberry.

This nine-year-old Pittie senior was in terrible shape, crying behind the bars of a shelter. He had painful ulcers in his eyes that caused significant discharge, he had testicular masses, his nails were overgrown, and his coat was extremely thin and full of dander. He had been so horribly neglected, but he still managed to wag his tail. He needed a LOT of medical care, that much was clear, but we didn’t care. We pulled him, dedicated to giving him the absolute best golden years.

We raced to treat his skin infection, infected ears, and tend to the ulcers on his eyes. We examined another concerning mass on his paw that bled whenever he walked. We stood by Huckleberry’s side every step of the way, committed to giving him relief and healing.

A few months later, Huckleberry was THRIVING! We hardly recognized him as the struggling pup we rescued not long ago. We could just tell that he was so grateful for this loving care, soaking up every moment of it. But then, the heartbreaking news came: the masses on Huckleberry’s testicles came back as high-grade terminal cancer. The vets gave him six months tops.

Instead of forcing this senior to endure intensive treatment, we decided to make the most of his time with us. He continued to visit the vet weekly, but otherwise spent his days soaking up the joys he had long been denied.. We welcomed Huckleberry into our Hospice Program, where he was given a home with a loving foster mama, sleeping in her bed each night. He enjoyed weekly trips to the river, weekend hikes, visits to the farmer’s market on Sundays, three leisurely walks a day, and more. We tried to fit as much of life as we could into his short time.

Then, on October 12, 2023, Huckleberry struggled with horrible labored breathing. We rushed him to the vet, who said he was hit with a "cancer storm" and there was nothing else to be done. As our dear Huckleberry took his last breath, he was held by his foster mama and human foster brother. In his final moments, he was surrounded by those who truly loved him.

Huckleberry didn't die alone at the hands of a stranger in a cold, terrifying shelter. Instead, he got to experience real life and unconditional love for an entire year since his rescue. We were able to make this possible thanks to your unwavering generosity. Your donation helped give him a second chance, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have someone like you in our corner.

Run free, beautiful boy. The rest of the Pit Crew Pack will be waiting to greet you at the rainbow bridge. See you on the other side, my darling boy. 🌈