I didn’t think I would be here again—asking for help—but I need help. I lost Mecca recently, and the grief is too much. Before I could find the words to honor his memory publicly, Renegade was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma in his shoulder.

While driving home from the hospital with a radiation oncology referral in hand, I didn’t think I would pursue treatment. He isn’t a candidate for surgery.

But I went to the consult anyway. I also met with a holistic vet who focuses on palliative care. Both shared the same perspective—that a short course of radiation is very likely to give Renegade meaningful, pain-free days.

The mass on his shoulder is causing pronounced limping, and radiation has been recommended to shrink the tumor and relieve his pain so he can remain comfortable, mobile, and fully himself for the time we still have together.

At the moment, pain medication is allowing him to stay comfortable, but without radiation, the tumor will progress beyond what medication alone can manage.

This community has carried me through some of the hardest moments and thrown me a lifeline when I was at my lowest. I am forever grateful—endlessly grateful—that you’ve loved my gentle lion, my fierce protector, my special boy for all these years. It was just a blink of an eye. He has meant everything to me.

The last morning with Mecca:

Saying goodbye. Mecca is wrapped in the blanket and Renegade wouldn’t leave his side. Even when they came in to take him away.