Help Pixi Kick Cancer's Arse
Donation protected
He puts his cheek against mine
and makes small, expressive sounds.
And when I'm awake, or awake enough
he turns upside down, his four paws
in the air
and his eyes dark and fervent.
Tell me you love me, he says.
Tell me again.
Could there be a sweeter arrangement?
Over and over
he gets to ask it.
I get to tell."
~Mary Oliver's Little Dogs Rhapsody in the Night (Percy Three)
A few months ago we stumbled upon a mass on Pixi's spleen that turned out to be a hemangiosarcoma. Now spleen-less with a few chemotherapy sessions under her belt, this girl is back with a vengeance, the most Pixiest Pixi there ever was. But we've only just begun, and the road winds far ahead of us...
The Beginning
Pixi came into my life as a fearful pup, anxious and uncertain about the world surrounding her. When passing by one of the offices at the shelter I noticed a baby gate propped up against the door where, upon looking in, I saw a scrawny scared creature hiding in a large crate. When I tried to greet her she quickly ran into the corner to get as far away from me as possible so I inquired to learn a bit more about her. She had been confiscated by animal control from a backyard breeder and, per the shelter staff members, was one of the worst fear cases they had ever seen, so much so that they were worried of the potential need to euthanize her due to quality of life issues. When I tried once again to approach her and when she once again recoiled, the volunteer coordinator let me in on the secret that her favorite treat seemed to be popcorn; I grabbed a bag, held out my hand, and tossed a few pieces on the floor – she quickly scarfed them down and scurried away back into her respective corner. My husband and I looked at one another and just knew that this was our girl and that she was meant to be our first dog. We were told her name was Spot, but knew this girl needed to be honored for her delicate beauty and to reflect the strong badass she would become after we ensured that she would overcome the fears and worries the world had placed upon her - not only is there the magic of pixie dust but also a pretty hardcore rock band named the Pixie’s too; it suited her perfectly.
Somewhere in the Middle
She cowered and hid, her safe spot away from the people who brought her into their home. Gradually we earned her trust, as time passed her fears subsided and her anxiety diminished. Neighbors started to comment on her apparent growth, how a dog from whom they once had to avert their eyes so as not to instill fear had become one who they could begin to approach and even perhaps lightly pet. The simple joy of being a true dog was starting to settle inside of her, showing ever so slightly in her eyes. Two years after adopting Pixi, a gentle giant named Edie showed up - she was around six years old, in kidney failure, and one of the happiest dogs I had ever laid eyes on; so I brought her home and she worked her magic, helping Pixi grow into the perfect little companion who couldn’t be happier to have her very own pound puppy sister. After three years and four months (a record amount of time for kidneys in such disrepair all due to the sheer joy and love Edie carried inside of her every day!) Edie’s kidneys finally did her in and it quickly became clear that Pixi needed another buddy. That’s when Daphne came into our lives and that one year old rambunctious little pittie helped Pixi reclaim the youth she never had – I can’t even begin to express how full my heart becomes when I see Pixi behave like a playful puppy for the very first time as a senior dog.
The Now Looking Towards a Hopeful Future
Last November Pixi was diagnosed with pancreatitis. When performing an ultrasound the following April to take a peak at how her insides were looking since that diagnosis, we noticed what appeared to be a mass. Upon further examination we discovered it was on her spleen so followed up by performing a splenectomy and histopathology of the mass. The mass turned out to be a hemangiosarcoma, an extremely aggressive type of cancer. Pixi handled her first chemotherapy session like a champ, greeting me in the waiting area afterwards with her tail still generously wagging. The week following chemo she was understandably tired and inappetent, but maintained good spirits nonetheless. Two weeks post-treatment and my girl is back with a vengeance, playing and eating and barking up a storm, waking me up in the morning ready to seize the day.
Part of undergoing cancer treatment requires that Pixi regularly get checked for metastasis which means x-rays of her chest and ultrasounds of her abdomen. Just last week the oncologist noticed what appears to be a nodule in Pixi's heart. We are still unclear as to whether this is metastasis, so are proceeding with treatment and sending her next set of x-rays to a radiologist for a more in depth reading.
In order to help supplement her care, we are starting her on a Penn State Veterinary researched product called I'm-Yunity, a holistic approach that has shown to support immune health, stabilize white blood cell counts, and improve overall quality of life.
How Pixi Needs You to Be a Part of Her Story
All of that being said, any bit of help will make a difference, whether it means making a donation or spreading the word, Pixi would greatly appreciate it. Your support will help Pixi along with:
*Chemotherapy
*Cancer medications including I'm-Yunity herbal supplement
*Regular x-rays and ultrasounds to check for any metastasis
*Rechecks with her oncologist
*Regular blood work to continue monitoring her white blood cell
count and prevent any possible infection
With multiple chemo sessions to undergo along with various lifelong maintenance cancer medications she will need to take once they're finished, my hope is that we maintain a positive status throughout. If ever Pixi’s quality of life comes into question I will always make the choice to do what makes her happiest and healthiest. After all, the purpose of a pup’s life is to give love and receive it in return, and my goal is to hand all that love Pixi gives me right back to her tenfold.
Much gratitude for your kindness and generosity!
and makes small, expressive sounds.
And when I'm awake, or awake enough
he turns upside down, his four paws
in the air
and his eyes dark and fervent.
Tell me you love me, he says.
Tell me again.
Could there be a sweeter arrangement?
Over and over
he gets to ask it.
I get to tell."
~Mary Oliver's Little Dogs Rhapsody in the Night (Percy Three)
A few months ago we stumbled upon a mass on Pixi's spleen that turned out to be a hemangiosarcoma. Now spleen-less with a few chemotherapy sessions under her belt, this girl is back with a vengeance, the most Pixiest Pixi there ever was. But we've only just begun, and the road winds far ahead of us...
The Beginning
Pixi came into my life as a fearful pup, anxious and uncertain about the world surrounding her. When passing by one of the offices at the shelter I noticed a baby gate propped up against the door where, upon looking in, I saw a scrawny scared creature hiding in a large crate. When I tried to greet her she quickly ran into the corner to get as far away from me as possible so I inquired to learn a bit more about her. She had been confiscated by animal control from a backyard breeder and, per the shelter staff members, was one of the worst fear cases they had ever seen, so much so that they were worried of the potential need to euthanize her due to quality of life issues. When I tried once again to approach her and when she once again recoiled, the volunteer coordinator let me in on the secret that her favorite treat seemed to be popcorn; I grabbed a bag, held out my hand, and tossed a few pieces on the floor – she quickly scarfed them down and scurried away back into her respective corner. My husband and I looked at one another and just knew that this was our girl and that she was meant to be our first dog. We were told her name was Spot, but knew this girl needed to be honored for her delicate beauty and to reflect the strong badass she would become after we ensured that she would overcome the fears and worries the world had placed upon her - not only is there the magic of pixie dust but also a pretty hardcore rock band named the Pixie’s too; it suited her perfectly.
Somewhere in the Middle
She cowered and hid, her safe spot away from the people who brought her into their home. Gradually we earned her trust, as time passed her fears subsided and her anxiety diminished. Neighbors started to comment on her apparent growth, how a dog from whom they once had to avert their eyes so as not to instill fear had become one who they could begin to approach and even perhaps lightly pet. The simple joy of being a true dog was starting to settle inside of her, showing ever so slightly in her eyes. Two years after adopting Pixi, a gentle giant named Edie showed up - she was around six years old, in kidney failure, and one of the happiest dogs I had ever laid eyes on; so I brought her home and she worked her magic, helping Pixi grow into the perfect little companion who couldn’t be happier to have her very own pound puppy sister. After three years and four months (a record amount of time for kidneys in such disrepair all due to the sheer joy and love Edie carried inside of her every day!) Edie’s kidneys finally did her in and it quickly became clear that Pixi needed another buddy. That’s when Daphne came into our lives and that one year old rambunctious little pittie helped Pixi reclaim the youth she never had – I can’t even begin to express how full my heart becomes when I see Pixi behave like a playful puppy for the very first time as a senior dog.
The Now Looking Towards a Hopeful Future
Last November Pixi was diagnosed with pancreatitis. When performing an ultrasound the following April to take a peak at how her insides were looking since that diagnosis, we noticed what appeared to be a mass. Upon further examination we discovered it was on her spleen so followed up by performing a splenectomy and histopathology of the mass. The mass turned out to be a hemangiosarcoma, an extremely aggressive type of cancer. Pixi handled her first chemotherapy session like a champ, greeting me in the waiting area afterwards with her tail still generously wagging. The week following chemo she was understandably tired and inappetent, but maintained good spirits nonetheless. Two weeks post-treatment and my girl is back with a vengeance, playing and eating and barking up a storm, waking me up in the morning ready to seize the day.
Part of undergoing cancer treatment requires that Pixi regularly get checked for metastasis which means x-rays of her chest and ultrasounds of her abdomen. Just last week the oncologist noticed what appears to be a nodule in Pixi's heart. We are still unclear as to whether this is metastasis, so are proceeding with treatment and sending her next set of x-rays to a radiologist for a more in depth reading.
In order to help supplement her care, we are starting her on a Penn State Veterinary researched product called I'm-Yunity, a holistic approach that has shown to support immune health, stabilize white blood cell counts, and improve overall quality of life.
How Pixi Needs You to Be a Part of Her Story
All of that being said, any bit of help will make a difference, whether it means making a donation or spreading the word, Pixi would greatly appreciate it. Your support will help Pixi along with:
*Chemotherapy
*Cancer medications including I'm-Yunity herbal supplement
*Regular x-rays and ultrasounds to check for any metastasis
*Rechecks with her oncologist
*Regular blood work to continue monitoring her white blood cell
count and prevent any possible infection
With multiple chemo sessions to undergo along with various lifelong maintenance cancer medications she will need to take once they're finished, my hope is that we maintain a positive status throughout. If ever Pixi’s quality of life comes into question I will always make the choice to do what makes her happiest and healthiest. After all, the purpose of a pup’s life is to give love and receive it in return, and my goal is to hand all that love Pixi gives me right back to her tenfold.
Much gratitude for your kindness and generosity!
Organizer
Alexis Mitchell
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC