Your dog has six months to live
" Unfortunately, it's bad news. The test results show that Pru has insulinoma."
"Okay, so, what does that mean exactly? I don't understand?" I asked.
"This means she has a very rare pancreatic tumour that is 100% fatal."
This was the conversation that I will never forget between my vet and me when I found out that Pru was suffering from a malignant tumour. The picture you see was taken in the waiting room while we were awaiting the results
You're probably wondering what this has to do with the Apipet story. Who am I, and who is Pru, anyway?
Before I continue, I'm Ivan, one of the co-founders of Apipet, a family-run business. Pru is someone very important to us. Pru is our mascot, our family member, and the sole reason why we cautiously and passionately dedicated ourselves to Apipet.
Pru is our inspiration but also the source of our heartache.
We dedicate and owe all of our success and the changed lives of pets and their owners to Pru.
Let's continue where we left off...
I'll tell you right away; this type of news is utterly heartbreaking to hear. My dog, my Pru, my best friend of nine wonderful years, has six months, maybe a year, left to live. That is a the projected life span of this awful disease.
At this point, memories flash back before my eyes. The barking, the playing, the endless runs and walks we would take. The unconditional love and gratitude. It's all those little things that, under normal circumstances, you don't know how to appreciate because you simply perceive them as normal.
Somehow, this heavy reality we found ourselves in was easiest on Prue. She didn't know what was happening, and her life hadn't changed that much. But dogs feel things, and she probably didn't understand why we were suddenly all so down around her, enveloped in sadness and collective grief.
But as there is nothing to gain from mourning our very much alive family member, we decided to stand up and fight. Proceeding with the prescribed corticosteroid therapy, we would also inject large daily doses of Apipet, our lesser-known product.
The hardest part of having a dog is saying goodbye, so every day with her was a blessing. We celebrated each month as a birthday in the hopes of beating that dreaded one-year diagnosis.
Let's continue where we left off...
I'll tell you right away; this type of news is utterly heartbreaking to hear. My dog, my Pru, my best friend of nine wonderful years, has six months, maybe a year, left to live. That is a the projected life span of this awful disease.
At this point, memories flash back before my eyes. The barking, the playing, the endless runs and walks we would take. The unconditional love and gratitude. It's all those little things that, under normal circumstances, you don't know how to appreciate because you simply perceive them as normal.
Somehow, this heavy reality we found ourselves in was easiest on Prue. She didn't know what was happening, and her life hadn't changed that much. But dogs feel things, and she probably didn't understand why we were suddenly all so down around her, enveloped in sadness and collective grief.
But as there is nothing to gain from mourning our very much alive family member, we decided to stand up and fight. Proceeding with the prescribed corticosteroid therapy, we would also inject large daily doses of Apipet, our lesser-known product.
The hardest part of having a dog is saying goodbye, so every day with her was a blessing. We celebrated each month as a birthday in the hopes of beating that dreaded one-year diagnosis.
Now, let me tell you one thing about Pru. She has always been one to break stereotypes and prejudices - especially about dangerous breeds. People who feared Staffords or Pitbulls would quickly change their minds once they met Pru.
We always knew she was special, but in true Pru style, she proved it to us once more. And then over and over again.
Her six months to a year life span did not seem realistic as time passed. Pru decided to surpass the limits of her diagnosis, which is how the first year passed.
An incredible day.
A miraculous birthday.
A colossal win.
Pru 1: tumour 0!
In the meantime, Pru found herself a friend and roommate, a wild cat - Kru (cruella - cruel in Spanish) and, like a real Stafford, she immediately took to her. And regularly got beaten by her as well.
As time passed, we entered what we thought to be a critical phase. Pru continued taking her standard therapy but was also on high doses of Apipet. Amazingly, there are no notable changes to her health. Granted, she has gained some weight, but that's a small price to pay for the happy memories we continue to create with Pru.
I don't want to turn this story into a novel, so I will just say that more than two and a half years have passed since Pru's diagnosis. Our veterinarian Martina claims that Pru is the world record holder and that no dog has lived longer from this condition.
Once we found out that the only differing element in our therapy compared to other dogs with the same or similar diagnosis was Apipet, I was hit with a realization.
My moral obligation as a pet owner is to tell you our story.
Because if I have something that can change your life like it changed mine, it would be incredibly selfish not to. Besides, I owe it to Pru.
As of that moment, my main focus in life has been Apipet. Sharing Pru's miraculous story, the science, technology and love for pets to those who have never heard of Apipet.
For the past one and a half years, we have been avidly telling the story of Apipet.
For the past one and a half years, we have been changing and influencing the lives of pets and their owners for the better.
And we continue to do so.
Very few people knew about the benefits of Apipet when we first started.
Today, it has touched the lives of over 15.000 pets and over 15.000 families.
We owe all our motivation, inspiration and success to Pru because if it weren't for her, there wouldn't be Apipet.
Thank you, Pru.
Ivan Radić