Our little powerhouse chihuahua-cross, Perry, was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2022. We had noticed small signs that something was wrong – lethargy, skin rashes – but our regular vets were insistent that he was just aging or experiencing allergies. These answers just didn’t feel right to us. Finally we happened upon a new vet who gave us an avenue into SASH, and there aren’t words for the level of gratefulness we have for this.
Perry endured an initial month of radiation treatment and follow up chemotherapy, which miraculously, caused the cancer to shrink to a negligible size. After being warned that radiation was really for giving comfort through quality of life, not a cure, and that dogs with Perry’s cancer had probably 10 months if very lucky, this was our Christmas miracle.
For two years Perry then continued by our side with no sign of cancerous growth. Most specially, he was my late night support and cuddler when my daughter was born in 2023, and has been my constant ‘furry soul mate’ now for 10 years.
Unfortunately, Perry’s cancer regrew and has spread during 2025, but the care Perry has received from the teams at SASH North Ryde and SASH Tuggerah has literally been life saving. Our Perry is now surviving, taking it one week at a time, due to a combination of chemo, careful monitoring, his own beautifully stubborn will and, most important of all, love. Love of and from his family, as well as the love shown in the considerate and skilful care provided by SASH staff.
We are so grateful for every moment we have with our little ‘Perry poppet’ and cannot thank SASH enough. While we try to live in the moment with our Perry, we know the reality of his condition and therefore that we need to celebrate him so much more this Christmas. We are so thankful that Perry’s strength met SASh’s care, to enable us to have him with us for all the precious memories we have made since his initial diagnoses. He is truly our little miracle pup.
– Central Coast NSW, North Ryde NSW
