A remarkable bond between a woman and her loyal dog
But when Ducky faced cancer not once but twice, the pair’s unbreakable bond was put to the ultimate test.
Abay, who works as the program director at the Humane Society of Navarro County in Texas, has always been deeply connected to animals. Her Instagram followers adore Ducky’s annual “13 Days of Halloween” photo series, featuring the pup in dozens of creative costumes. Yet behind the fun and costumes lies a story of courage, healing, and an extraordinary physical transformation that left even his veterinarians astonished.
The shocking diagnosis that changed everything
It all began when Ducky developed a persistent dry cough that wouldn’t go away. Concerned, Abay took him to the vet — only to receive devastating news: X-rays revealed stage 1 lung cancer. The diagnosis came as a crushing blow, but there was still hope. A month later, Ducky underwent surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumor from his lung.
Miraculously, the brave little dog bounced back quickly. “He came home and healed up perfectly,” Abay shared. “He acted like a puppy again.” Ducky returned to his playful self, spending time with his cat siblings and enjoying his favorite treats. For a while, life felt normal again.
A heartbreaking relapse
Five months after the surgery, Abay noticed something alarming while petting Ducky — a lump on his leg. Her instincts told her it wasn’t good. The vet confirmed her fears: Ducky had developed large cell lymphoma. “I was crushed,” she admitted.
Despite the grim diagnosis, Abay refused to give up. The cancer had been caught early, giving Ducky a fighting chance. They immediately began chemotherapy. Every three weeks, the pair would wake before sunrise and drive nearly two hours to the oncologist. Although Ducky was anxious, he faced each session with quiet bravery.
How chemotherapy transformed Ducky’s appearance
As treatments continued, Abay learned that Shih-Tzus, whose hair is more similar to human hair than fur, can lose their coat during chemotherapy. Soon, Ducky’s once silky, “greige” hair began to thin dramatically. “He looked rough at times,” Abay said. “But I knew it meant the medicine was working.”
Then something unexpected happened — Ducky’s new hair started growing back, but it was a completely different color. What was once light gray and beige turned into a rich, chocolate brown. “It was wild,” Abay recalled. “He went from gray to hot chocolate!”
Not only had the color changed, but the texture too. Ducky’s hair grew back coarse and curly, unlike the sleek, straight coat he once had. “He’s like a little human,” Abay laughed. “If he gets humid or wet, he curls right up.”
Finding joy in transformation
For Abay, watching Ducky’s new look emerge was an unexpected gift during an emotionally draining time. “Out of all the scariness and fear that comes with chemo and cancer, watching his hair transform has been joyful,” she said. “It became a bright spot in a whirlwind of chaos.”
To help maintain his new coat, Abay pampers Ducky with gentle shampoos and conditioners, ensuring his curls stay healthy and soft. After six long months of chemotherapy, the vet delivered the words she’d been longing to hear: Ducky was cancer-free.
Celebrating survival and new beginnings
Now in remission, Ducky enjoys his daily routine again — especially his nightly “very thin steak,” which Abay says he cries for if she takes too long to serve. The two still make regular visits to the oncologist for checkups and lung X-rays, determined to keep him as healthy as possible.
Their story is especially poignant given Abay’s own health challenges. Living with cystic fibrosis, she has spent much of her life in and out of hospitals. “Ducky has been with me every step of the way,” she said. “He’s my little rock.”
Almost exactly a year after Ducky’s surgery, Abay recreated an old photo of them together. The difference was striking — not just in Ducky’s color, but in their shared expression of strength and joy.
“I don’t take a second of my time with him for granted,” Abay reflected. “Especially after almost losing him twice.”
Ducky’s transformation — from a gray senior dog to a vibrant, chocolate-colored survivor — has become a living symbol of resilience, love, and second chances.
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