“I Didn’t Know Mammary Cancer Hits Dogs Harder Than Humans — Until Mia”

Some moments stick with you forever.

For me, one of those moments came the day we found the first lump on Mia.

At first, it was small — the kind of thing you hope is nothing, but your gut knows better. Cheryl and I exchanged that quiet look we’ve shared before. It’s the look that says, Here we go again.

Between us, we’ve walked this road with Tia, with Bishop, and others we’ve loved and lost. We know the steps. We know the stakes. And still, the fear hits just as hard every single time.

The Diagnosis

Here’s the truth: we knew nothing about mammary cancer in dogs.

We only knew there was a tumour — and that alone was terrifying.

What we didn’t realize was the first WTF moment:
Mammary cancer tumours have a higher incidence in dogs than in humans.

💡 Did You Know?

• Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in female dogs — about 42 % of all tumors in females.
• Lifetime risk in dogs: 23–34 %.
• Lifetime risk in women: 12–13 %.

Early detection and proactive decisions make a real difference.
Cornell Vet Source

The vet confirmed it: mammary cancer.
And here came the second WTF moment: it’s wickedly aggressive.

Mia was staged at Stage II — tumours between 3–5 cm, no lymph node involvement, no distant spread.
There are only three clinical stages in dogs.

Stage II meant we were already halfway up the ladder.

It’s never “just surgery” with a senior rescue. There are risks, long recoveries, and sleepless nights. But Cheryl and I didn’t hesitate.

The First Surgery

The day of surgery, our wait felt endless.

When the call finally came, hearing “She’s through” felt like reaching the surface after being underwater.

Mia came home sore, tired, but determined. Cheryl sat with her, speaking in that soft, steady voice Mia trusts. I stayed close, making sure she had everything she needed.

That recovery wasn’t just about healing — it was proof of her fight and proof of our fight.

“RAPS in Richmond today — waiting for the surgeon, side by side as always.”

Why This Matters at WA

You might wonder why I’m sharing this here — and why it’s so personal.

I joined WA in 2019, just two weeks before receiving devastating news about Tia. Back then, I thought I was building a business.

Now I know I’m building something that matters.

Fluffy Shepherds isn’t just a website. It’s built for Canadian rescue parents facing tough decisions — often without the resources or information we wish we’d had.

It’s grounded in real stories, real challenges, and real hope.

“Mia looking up at Cheryl with the same trust that’s carried us through every fight.”

Every battle. Every surgery. Every waiting room. We face them all together.
Mia’s fight is my “why” at WA.

Looking Ahead

Mia’s first surgery marked the beginning. She bounced back with resilience that humbled us — but cancer doesn’t disappear that easily.

On July 21, we met with the oncologist at Boundary Bay Veterinary Hospital. The biopsy confirmed: cancer was still present in her body. But we didn’t know where.

The only reliable path forward was imaging — an ultrasound, but ideally a CT scan.

They recommended starting with the CT, then following with five rounds of chemotherapy if the cancer hadn’t spread beyond the mammary tissue.

We deeply trust the team at RAPS, so after reviewing the recommendations, we returned for a consult on these findings.

That brings us to today — back at RAPS once again.
Another lump. Another fight. Another chapter.

Tomorrow, we’ll know more after the CT.

This journey is far from over. And as I keep building here at WA, every step forward is another way to honour the dogs — and people — who’ve shaped this mission.

Thanks for walking alongside us.

— Jeffrey, Cheryl & Mia
People ask how we can keep doing this. The truth? We just can. Because love doesn’t quit.