HUCKLEBERRY
​
​aka "Huckie"
Breed: Pit Bull
Size: X-Large (87 lbs)
Age: Senior
Exercise Needs: Light Exercise
Grooming Needs: Minimal
House & Crate Trained: Yes
​Other Dogs: Yes, with proper intros
Kids: Yes, kids over 13 years old
Cats: Yes, with proper intros
Status: Available - Medical Hold

We pulled Huckleberry from the Stanislaus County Shelter. He was in terrible shape. It took us 8 mos to get his eyes, ears & skin under control.

Then we had a scrotal oblation to remove masses that came back high grade terminal cancer. They gave us 6 mos tops. We decided we would make that the best 6 mos of his life instead of put him through treatment that wouldn't give us more than a few months & would have him at the vet hospitalized for treatments weekly.

Instead we brought him into our Hospice Program where he got a home of his own, a pack of his own, trips to the river weekly, beach overnights, 3 walks a day, hikes every weekend, farmers market every Sunday, slept in bed with his foster momma.. as much life as we could fit in with the short time we had.

Last night his breathing was labored so we rushed him to the ER where they told us he is in fact crashing from a "cancer storm." His heart rate was over 300, temp 105.9 & climbing.
I didn't have time to get there to be with him & my foster ... but he was held by his foster momma & human foster brother for his last breath as we decided we wouldn't let him suffer...

Hospice dogs are the most difficult kind. You have to be willing to put your own feelings aside and show up for a dog: yes, I'll give him love & family for as long as he has knowing he is terminal.

This post is to thank our 5 Hospice Foster Families. Huckleberry didn't die alone at the hands of a stranger in a cold, terrifying Shelter. Instead he got to experience real life & unconditional love for an entire year since his prognosis.

Wanting more time with him is just us being selfish. Knowing he got all the things he was neglected prior to coming to us, is what drives us to keep going to the shelter to take the oldest, sickest dog there. Give them as much as we possibly can, keep them comfortable, and then say goodbye with dignity in our arms with no pain whatsoever.

Run free beautiful boy, the rest of the Pit Crew Pack is there to greet you at the rainbow bridge. See you on the other side my darling boy....🌈 October 12, 2023