Ruthie, my sweet and sassy corgi, just turned three! I didn’t think she’d make it to this birthday after being diagnosed with cancer in March. She’s been undergoing chemo, and has responded very well. With your help, we can complete her treatment. I hate asking for help, but the only thing I hate more than that is the thought of not waking up to her curled up next to me. Sure, she’s had pet insurance since she was a puppy. But for barely a month, she wasn’t insured as I needed to tighten my budget. “She’s two,” I figured. “What’s the worst that could happen?” Don’t tempt fate During that small window of being uninsured, she got sick with diarrhea. So I immediately renewed her health insurance, and she soon recovered. Thankfully, her insurance kicked in when she had a cough in March. But this wasn’t a normal cough. Her neck lymph nodes grew so big, it looked like she swallowed an egg. I'm pretty good at prying random things out of her mouth (and I’ve yet to see an intact egg on the DC sidewalks), so it couldn't have been that. The vet prescribed antibiotics, but they didn’t work – her lymph nodes kept growing. This was bad. Really, really bad. So, I rushed her to the emergency vet (Friendship Hospital for Animals – highly recommend), where they did a CT scan and biopsy. Both tests showed that she has lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes and immune system. I was bawling for two weeks straight after I heard the diagnosis. How could this happen to such a young dog? She’s practically a pup! She still has so much life to live. I’ve dreamt of taking her on a road trip to the beach near my hometown, where she can chase the seagulls, frolic in the sand, and swim in the ocean where we can find out if corgis’ butts really do float in water. Ruthie is my everything and has been by my side since the pandemic and during some of my darkest times. Her wide corgi grin and sweet snuggles instantly cheer me up and make every day better. Not just for me, but for everyone she meets. My baby girl is affectionally called the neighborhood emotional support dog. She trots up to just about anybody, sits on (yes, on) their feet, and stares at them with her big puppy dog eyes that beg for scritches. Of course, every new friend gives in. When they think they’re done and are about to walk away, she flops on her back to show her fluffy tummy and T-rex arms, and they cave again. Works every time. Never cancel your pet insurance Thankfully, she’s been getting chemo and is practically back to her normal self. But she still has a month left. That’s where Ruthie needs your help. “But she was insured before she was diagnosed – surely they’ll cover her treatment.” While I admire your optimism, I don’t have high hopes for her insurance company. They initially denied covering it, saying that a bout of diarrhea in February 2024 was a preexisting condition. That is absurd. Lymphoma is an aggressive cancer, and once the symptoms manifest, dogs only live two months without treatment. Ruthie is tough, but not tough enough to live without chemo for a year after it supposedly started (according to her insurance company, anyway). My vet wrote an appeal telling them as much. Anyone with Google and a conscience could tell them as much. They also tried denying coverage since she was sick in January when she was uninsured. Again, my vet said her stomach problems this year weren’t a pre-existing condition either. The insurance company said they are reviewing the appeal and will have an answer within 15 business days (i.e., late July/early August). But I’m not holding my breath. How you can help Will I continue to fight the insurance company’s outrageous denial? Absolutely. But Ruthie still has a month left of chemotherapy, and pet insurance companies in general don’t reimburse you until after they’ve reviewed and approved the invoice. And that’s if they cover the costs. For now, the goal is $7,000 to cover her last month of chemo and future monthly check-ups. If the insurance company denies my appeal, I’ll raise the goal to include earlier chemo bills that my mom loaned me, as I’m freelancing, job-hunting, and barely making ends meet. She had to stop because the vet bills were piling up and she’s retired. Whatever I repay her will be used for her (or my later-in-life) health costs (IYKYK). With your help, Ruthie can get her last four chemotherapy treatments and monthly follow-ups to ensure she beats this awful disease. Chemo helped Ruthie get to her third birthday. Let’s help her make it to her fourth. Our promise I am a firm believer in transparency. Here’s where the funds will be going: All future chemo and check-up appointments, All past chemo visits IF her insurance refuses her claims, and Whatever isn’t covered for previous chemo visits IF her insurance does cover her claims (note: pet insurance doesn’t cover 100% of the vet bill, so those costs still add up). This fundraiser is solely to help Ruthie fight cancer. If we surpass either goal (whether the insurance company reimburses her bills or not), any extra funds will go to a canine cancer charity. For example, if the insurance company covers $10,000 and we raise $15,000, then $5,000 will be donated to a dog cancer charity. Either way, your money’s going to help someone’s best friend live longer. Each week, I’ll share Ruthie’s Paw-gress Report on her chemo treatments, general health, and the pet insurance appeal status. You can also get more updates (and other cute pics) on her Instagram: @ruthiesmalls . Please donate today to help Ruthie beat cancer and live a longer, healthy life. Every bit helps. Tl;dr Ruthie, my adorable, sweet 3-year-old corgi, has lymphoma; her insurance company might not cover her chemo; and she needs your help for her last stretch of cancer treatment to live a longer, healthy life.
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