I am asking for any who are able to contribute to memorial items for Diego, such as commissioning artwork made of him (I have reached out to an artist and am awaiting a response), lockets, stuffed animals, etc. Flowers and any items that would make our home feel more alive are also greatly appreciated. --

Our beloved Diego had a very unlucky run with fate, and developed a large, inoperable tumor emerging from the sheath of a nerve on his spine. Between his first vet visit on September 29th where we thought he was acting strange because just ate something weird, and his following CT scans just days later, it confirmed the worst. His pain was increasing -- he screamed when moved -- and he quickly began displaying symptoms of paralysis in the lower legs. He soon became incontinent. After visiting a second ER with a radiation oncologist on staff, we decided radiation would not be a suitable option for him given the circumstances of his condition and the fact it would return in 6 months. On October 2nd, we made the very hard decision to put him to rest. He was only one year and 7 months.

It truly feels that nature just snatched him from us. I recognize this was his path, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

Our hearts are obviously shattered. I am asking for any who are able to contribute to memorial items for Diego, such as commissioning artwork made of him (I have reached out to an artist and am awaiting a response), lockets, stuffed animals, etc. Flowers and any items that would make our home feel more alive are also greatly appreciated.

— Below, I wanted to say some thank you’s to the medical professionals who have been here for Diego and for us:

Thank you Dr. Bruegl at VCA Arden, who cared for Diego and ultimately whose care helped us determine the right imaging needed to identify Diegos condition.

Thank you Auntie Lynn at VCA Arden for keeping tabs on Diego’s condition and checking in on me, too.

Thank you to the amazing Surgery team at VCA ASG in Burbank. We could not have been more grateful for Dr Kim -- she made receiving that unbearable news just a little bit better. The veterinary field will be lucky to have her. And thank you to Dr. Davey also in the final few days. Answering our emails, offering the highest quality care, and ultimately providing the bridge for Diego to finally be free from pain.

Thank you to TrueCare for pets for giving us the knowledge to inform our really hard decision in those final few hours. Dr. Craig was the kindest, most empathetic, gentle, compassionate presence and it was exactly what we needed. Thank you also to Autumn at TrueCare, who guided us through the process and similarly gave us that kind of shoulder to lean on.

Thank you to the veterinary techs at VCA ASG who took the sweetest picture of him at his recheck (pictured). that means more to us than you know. We love that you all loved Diego. You all transported him on the gurney and carried him in and out of the car those last few days with so much care. Thank you so much to Kimmy, the liaison who assisted us with his last day, we truly felt loved and supported by you. I know you’ll do right by his fur clippings.

We could not be more thankful for all of the medical professionals who gave Diego the best care he could receive.