Our Story: The Soul Dog Who Changed Everything
In loving memory of Chloe (2010-2025)
I never expected to have a dog when I went to that Christmas adoption event in 2011.
Chloe came to me as a foster on Christmas Eve: a heartworm-positive pit bull-type dog who had miraculously escaped euthanasia at a high-kill shelter in Texas. I told myself it was temporary.
Within two weeks, everything changed. When potential adopters called to meet her, I felt a surge of panic and possessiveness: “Why are you trying to steal my dog?”
She was already mine.
In January 2012, I made it official. Chloe became family.
Ten Years, Then Everything Changed
For a decade, Chloe was my constant through moves across multiple states and all of life’s chaos. She was my rock.
In 2022, during a peaceful walk in the park, I noticed a growth on her right front elbow. Despite six-month checkups, no one else had caught it.
The biopsy confirmed my worst fear: Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS).
The recommended treatment? Full limb amputation.
At 12 years old, Chloe was already showing signs of arthritis and possible Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) in her hind legs. Amputation felt like it would steal what little mobility she had left, leaving her with essentially one functional leg.
I said no. I opted for tumor removal instead, hoping to preserve her quality of life.
Then I started searching for answers beyond what conventional medicine offered.
The Deep Dive Into Integrative Medicine
That cancer diagnosis forced me into action. I consulted holistic veterinarians. I joined Facebook groups with thousands of other desperate pet parents fighting canine cancer. I read everything I could find about Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), nutrition therapy, and integrative approaches.
I radically changed Chloe’s diet. I added targeted supplements. I explored every modality that showed promise.
The biopsy showed Grade I, the lowest and least aggressive grade. The tumor never came back. For two years, she was in remission and thriving.
Against all odds, at 13 years old, Chloe moved across the ocean with me. She remained happy, acting youthful, tirelessly exploring a whole new continent.
The Second Diagnosis
But within a year of our move and two years after her first cancer diagnosis, the universe dealt another blow: Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC).
I felt like I’d tried so hard to protect her, but a force was desperately trying to rip her away from me.
At 13.5 years old, I knew the odds were against us. But I refused to give up. Every day was about keeping her comfortable and enjoying life.
The Day That Changed Me Forever
In the summer of 2025, one month before her 15th birthday, Chloe crossed the rainbow bridge.
I didn’t know how I would survive losing her. Some days, I still don’t.
Why This Site Exists
Chloe taught me that pet parents deserve access to all the information, not just one approach or philosophy.
Around the time of Chloe’s diagnosis, I acquired Dogs Cats Pets, a website originally founded by Dr. Winnie. Dr. Winnie created this platform to provide science-backed pet health information, and her clinical expertise formed the foundation of much of the original content you’ll find here.
However, as I focused entirely on Chloe’s health battles, the site remained largely unchanged for years. Many articles, while originally written or reviewed by Dr. Winnie, became outdated as veterinary medicine evolved.
Now, following Chloe’s passing, as the Owner and Content Director of Dogs Cats Pets, I’m fulfilling the mission she inspired:
To provide comprehensive, medically accurate information on both Traditional Western Medicine and integrative approaches, including TCVM, nutrition therapy, and holistic modalities.
Our Shelter Advocacy Mission
Chloe came from a high-kill shelter, overlooked because of her breed. She was saved by pure chance.
I’m committed to helping other shelter animals, especially long-stay residents, have the same chance she got. Through education about temperament matching and reducing return rates, we can save more lives.
Whether you’re navigating puppyhood, managing chronic disease, researching treatment options, or walking through grief: you’re not alone.
We cover both conventional and integrative veterinary medicine because, just like people, what works for one pet might not work for another.
The love these animals give us is transformative. This site exists to honor that love and help you be the best advocate for your pet.
Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
Disclosures:
This content is created by a dedicated pet advocate and reviewed by licensed veterinarians for accuracy. It is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice—always consult your vet with medical concerns.
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