Get to know our Palliative Pups

 Please join us in welcoming Tanner to the Freedom Dog Rescue family.  Tanner is a handsome Husky with a gentle spirit, a strong independent streak, and a love for adventure. While he may not be much of a cuddler (unless it’s on his terms!), he has a big personality and knows exactly what he likes.

 Sadly, Tanner has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his spleen. Through our Palliative Care Program, we are committed to making sure his days are filled with comfort, love, and all the things that bring him joy.  Tanner loves going for walks with his foster family, hopping in the car for an adventure, and spending time in the cool basement on warm days. He also takes his job as yard security very seriously and works hard to make sure no rabbits or other critters sneak into his territory!

 A huge thank you to Tanner’s incredible foster family for opening their hearts and home to him. We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and supporters who make it possible for dogs like Tanner to receive the care they need.  Palliative care comes with ongoing veterinary costs, medications, diagnostics, comfort care, and specialized support.

If you would like to help Tanner and other dogs in our Palliative Care Program, donations can be sent by e-transfer to:  finance@freedomdogrescue.ca  Password: freedom  Memo: palliative donation  Every donation helps provide comfort, dignity, and love to dogs facing some of life’s toughest challenges.  Please help us give Tanner a warm welcome and show him just how many people are cheering him on.  

 

 Welcome to Freedom Dog Rescue, Toutoune!

 This sweet 8 year old Chihuahua has officially joined Freedom Dog Rescue’s palliative care program after recently being diagnosed with diabetes.   Toutoune is a gentle little soul who loves her walks, being outside in the sunshine and rolling over for belly rubs. She may have some medical challenges ahead, but she deserves comfort, love, dignity and all the cozy moments life can offer.   

Palliative dogs like Toutoune often require ongoing medical care, medications, special diets and frequent vet visits. If you would like to help support dogs like her, donations can be sent by e-transfer to:  finance@freedomdogrescue.ca  Password: freedom Memo: palliative donation 

Every donation helps us continue giving senior and medically fragile dogs the love and care they deserve for the rest of their journey.  

 

Otis came into care late in 2021 with several other hounds from a shelter in Ontario. This ol’ man was deemed palliative due to his age, his heart murmur and the masses over his body (most noticeably on his front paw). Looking for a quiet place to retire, Otis has settled into care nicely and has even come to enjoy logging the odd camping trip his foster family takes him on. Otis can be won over with treats and with the promise of a night in at home but, he has been known to brave the great big metropolis of Ottawa and has graced us with his presents at different Freedom events across the city.   Over the last year, this timid old soul has become brave, confident and has been able to embrace his life as a loveable guy, even having made a few friends in his new neighbourhood!  His loves his crate and watermelon and bananas are his favorite treats. 

Photo Credit: Matthew Krull of Krull Photography - Taken at the Ottawa Dog Fair hosted by Greenhawk Equestrian in support of Freedom’s Palliative Care Program

Miyagi is a feisty 13 year old chihuahua. He came into care 3 years ago (at the senior age of 10) after he was left in a box at the Montreal SPCA. Miyagi suffers from a knee condition which essentially forces him to walk on three legs.  

He loves to cuddle up as close as he can to his people and sleeps underneath the bed sheets at night.  He's also a huge hand-wrestling fan. To his delight, Miyagi is the perfect height for any crumbs in the kitchen.  

What he lacks in size, he makes up in personality though. Don't be fooled by his wagging tail and his oversized cartoon eyes: only his close family members are permitted to pet him.  

Miyagi is very special dog who is deeply loved by his foster family.

Photo Credit: Ashley from Your Story Creative Co. Thank you for donating your time and services to capture our handsome boy, Miyagi. 

Storm came to Freedom when she was four months old after being surrendered to a pound in Quebec. We were contacted because she needed to be rushed to emergency care due to continuous seizures. There were concerns that she might have a broken spine or pelvic issues. We immediately picked her up and took her to VCA Canada Alta Vista Animal Hospital, where she was seen by a neurologist, Dr. Anne Chauvet. Storm was admitted to the hospital since the prognosis was uncertain, and there were concerns about her survival. In addition to her neurological issues, her hindquarters were non-functional, and it was discovered that she had a serious heart condition.

Storm underwent several tests and treatments, including a spinal tap, which confirmed that she had meningitis. Eosinophilic lab work came back negative, and heart test results for ammonia were also negative.

Her diagnoses included suspected meningitis and eosinophilic mixed pleocytosis, with possible causes being protozoal, tick-borne, or parasitic infections, as well as allergic cardiac disease/murmur graded at 5/6. The prognosis was guarded, as the condition could be viral or fungal, although we had managed to gain some control over her seizures at that time.

Fast forward to the present: Storm has been seizure-free for over a year, is happily running around like a puppy, and her sight has returned. had managed to gain some control over her seizures at that time.

 Ruby is a ray of sunshine who leaves an impact wherever she goes.  

Ruby came to Canada from a Kentucky shelter after being rescued from a hoarding situation.  When Ruby first arrived, she was extremely shut down and scared. She wouldn’t leave her crate, sniff the ground, or even go to the bathroom. With patience and love from her foster family, she quickly began to blossom. Within a week, she was rolling onto her back for belly rubs, glued to her foster mom, and constantly asking for affection.  

Sadly, Ruby soon developed worsening coughing, wheezing, heavy breathing, and panting. After veterinary testing, she was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and asthma. Shortly afterward, a biopsy confirmed that Ruby also has cancer.  With this news, FDR moved Ruby into the Palliative Care Program. Her foster family was more than happy to make the rest of her life as happy and comfortable as possible.  

Since then, Ruby has filled her days with love and adventure. She has visited seniors and children, gone camping, enjoyed walks in her backpack, ridden in her stroller, relaxed on patios, and gone shopping at pet stores. More than anything, Ruby loves being with her people, enjoying treats, giving kisses, and soaking up every bit of affection she can get.  

Ruby is incredibly grateful to her sponsors, whose generosity helps cover her inhalers, daily medications, veterinary visits, eye and ear drops, food, and X-rays.  Despite everything she has been through, Ruby continues to show everyone around her how much joy one little dog can bring. 

 At 12 years old, Lady knows exactly what time it is!   Morning? Feed me. 5 o’clock? FEED ME. 9 o’clock? Bedtime. If her foster mom is taking too long preparing her dinner, Lady has no problem letting her know about it.   This funny little girl has been with her foster family for a year and she has certainly made herself at home.  She is almost toothless, proudly showing off the two little canines she has left whenever asked to “show her pretty teeth.”  

Earlier this year, Lady needed major surgery after jumping off the couch and damaging a ligament in her knee. Her knee had to be rebuilt with a plate and screws, but this girl is still enjoying her favourite things including food, camping and being with her people.   

Lady is also a certified cuddle bug. She sleeps crosswise in the king size bed, with her back feet touching her foster mom at all times because apparently that is the only acceptable sleeping arrangement.   When it’s time to head out for a walk, Lady and her foster brother Harley both love riding along in their wagon.  

Giving senior dogs like Lady the comfort, love and freedom to simply enjoy being themselves is exactly what palliative care is all about.   Freedom Dog Rescue relies on donations and sponsors to provide veterinary care, food, supplies, grooming and the extra care our palliative pups need.  If you’d like to help dogs like Lady, donations can be sent by e-transfer to freedomdogrescue@gmail.com Password: freedom Memo: palliative donation
 

 Our sweet senior boy is still keeping busy in his foster home! Benji is a very independent, tough old guy who takes his job of walking laps around the house VERY seriously. He never misses a day of work.

 His eyesight has gotten a little worse recently, but Benji isn’t letting that slow him down. These days, he relies a little more on his nose especially when he’s outside smelling all the wonderful scents in the grass.   

There’s something so special about watching these palliative pups simply enjoy their days, surrounded by the comfort, patience and love they deserve.   Freedom Dog Rescue’s Palliative Care Program provides a safe, loving home for medically fragile, terminally ill and geriatric dogs for as long as they need us.

Our palliative pups rely on the generosity of our supporters for veterinary care, food, supplies, grooming and those little bucket list moments that make their days extra special.  

If you’d like to help dogs like Benji, donations can be sent by e-transfer to freedomdogrescue@gmail.com Password: freedom Memo: palliative donation 

 Harley, our 15 year old, 6-pound grumpy old man who has been living his best palliative life with his foster family for the past 2½ years.  

 Harley is almost completely blind and has severely dry eyes, so he gets eye drops three times a day. He’s also toothless, but that certainly hasn’t stopped him from knowing exactly what he wants!  His favourite place in the world? The back of the couch, snuggled under his blanky and nobody better touch that blanky or he will have something to say about it.   

Harley loves camping, going for walks in his wagon and being close to his people. He may be tiny, but if he can’t find his foster daddy, you’d be amazed at how fast those little legs can move!   At night, Harley gets tucked into bed partly because he loves being cozy and partly because it helps him hide from Ruby the cat.   

Giving senior dogs like Harley a safe, comfortable life filled with familiar routines, cozy blankets and the people they love is exactly what makes palliative care so special.  Freedom Dog Rescue relies on donations and sponsors to provide veterinary care, medications, food, supplies, grooming and all the comforts our palliative pups need.  If you’d like to help dogs like Harley, donations can be sent by e-transfer to freedomdogrescue@gmail.com Password: freedom Memo: palliative donation