Bear’s Story

A beloved dog lost to hemangiosarcoma

In April 2025, Bear became lethargic and weak. An ultrasound revealed a large mass on his spleen, and he underwent emergency surgery the following day. On his 11th birthday, we received the diagnosis: splenic hemangiosarcoma.​

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Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive, fast-moving cancer that often arrives without warning and steals time you thought you still had. From that moment on, we committed to doing everything possible for Bear.

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We met with an oncologist and began five rounds of doxorubicin chemotherapy, while also working closely with our integrative veterinarian, Dr. Schwartz of Rooted Integrative Vet Care. Bear’s treatment included high-dose vitamin C therapy, acupuncture, nutritional and microbiome support, immune-modulating therapies, and gentle metabolic and anti-inflammatory care.

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For months, Bear fought with quiet strength, showing up for every appointment as if he knew how deeply loved he was. He enjoyed a beautiful spring and summer filled with trips to Cape Cod, Nantucket, Dorset, Vermont, and the Coast of Maine, romping along beaches and mountain trails - a beautiful final summer.

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By fall, we noticed him slowing down again. In November, metastatic progression was identified. While we did not give up, our focus shifted. The goal became to continue supporting him while prioritizing comfort, dignity, and love.

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Bear had already beaten cancer once before, surviving oral melanoma through surgery and immunotherapy in 2024. We believed in resilience, but hemangiosarcoma is a different beast and that became clear. 

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Some days were better than others. His appetite became selective. His energy slower. But he still stood to greet us. He still leaned into familiar routines. Through it all, Bear remained Bear, gentle, steady, deeply present. He gave us the gift of his presence for one final holiday season in Vermont. 

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In the New Year, Bear lost function of his back legs and shortly after bladder control. Quality of life was no longer there. On January 2, 2026, Bear passed surrounded by love, having been supported in every way we knew how, medically, emotionally, and with unwavering devotion.

Losing him changed us forever. But Bear’s story does not end with loss.

100% of your gift funds research  to help dogs

   Why Bear's Fund Matters

Turning love and loss into research that seeks to understand hemangiosarcoma.

Bear’s journey is one shared by far too many families navigating canine cancer with limited research, limited options, and overwhelming grief. Hemangiosarcoma remains poorly understood, and funding for canine cancer research continues to lag behind.

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This page exists to turn love into action.

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By donating in Bear’s name, you help support research aimed at understanding why this devastating cancer develops in dogs. Your gift helps scientists investigate the factors that may contribute to hemangiosarcoma and move us closer to preventing this disease in future generations of dogs.​