What We Thought Was the End… Was a Wake-Up Call We’ll Never Forget

This one hits home.
Earlier this year, our beloved service dog Rocco developed a sudden, hard lump on one side of his jaw—near his throat. It came out of nowhere. We rushed to the vet, and like many others who have been through this before, we were hit with words that made our hearts stop:

“It’s likely lymphoma.”

Our vet referred us to a specialist. We took Rocco to an emergency clinic for testing. The prognosis, if true, was devastating. Even with treatment, the doctors told us he’d likely have only months to live. We were told to prepare ourselves.

And so we waited. Four very long days.
Four days where we cried, clung to hope, and learned everything we could about canine lymphoma. And the more we read, the harder it became.

💔 What We Learned About Canine Lymphoma

• Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs

• It’s aggressive, but not usually painful—just quietly destructive

• Treatments (like chemotherapy) are expensive and rarely curative

• Most dogs survive only a few months after diagnosis, even with intervention

The emotional weight of those days—of preparing to say goodbye to our best friend—was overwhelming. But then… the test results came back.

🙏 The Best News We Never Expected

The lump wasn’t lymphoma after all.
It was a severely inflamed lymph node, caused by a dental infection.

Yes—his teeth.
Like many small dogs, Rocco had developed oral health issues rapidly, and we hadn’t been able to get his teeth professionally cleaned in a couple of years due to various life events. That delay nearly cost him everything.

With immediate antibiotics and a follow-up dental procedure (which included removing several teeth), the swelling went down and Rocco began healing. He’s still with us today—and we don’t take a single moment for granted.

🐾 Why We’re Sharing This on Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day

Because we know how real this fear is.
Because we met people in that waiting room who didn’t get the same news.
Because even though Rocco didn’t have lymphoma, we thought he did. And those few days changed everything.

We want you to know:

• What the signs of lymphoma look like (sudden lumps, especially near the throat, lethargy, appetite loss)

• That dental health matters more than you think—especially in small breeds

• And that no matter the diagnosis, your dog’s time with you is sacred

🪥 What We Wish We’d Done Sooner

If we could go back in time, we would’ve prioritized dental cleanings earlier—even when life made it hard.
Because even though this wasn’t cancer, it could’ve been fatal if left untreated.

We’ve now added:

• Regular vet cleanings (despite the logistics)

• At-home brushing (imperfect, but better than nothing)

• Chews and toys that support dental health between appointments (had these all along - but he needed additional support)

💚 A Final Word

We are forever grateful that Rocco is still with us. He continues to work by our side, love us unconditionally, and teach us what it means to live in the moment.
But we will never forget what those four days felt like.

If your dog shows signs of swelling near their jaw or throat—don’t wait.
If you’ve put off a cleaning—this is your reminder.
And if your dog is fighting lymphoma—please know we see you, and our hearts are with you.

From all of us at DogStoreOnline,
we honor those who have lost beloved companions to this disease,
we support those in the fight,
and we treasure the moments we still have—because they are everything.

💚 With gratitude, compassion, and hope—
DogStoreOnline