Hippo's Journey: A Love Letter to 13 Beautiful Years

Hippo was mine for six years before I got married. But the moment my husband entered our lives; Hippo found his forever "chill partner". For seven more beautiful years, they were inseparable. Together, we shared 13 incredible years with a dog who taught us everything about love, resilience, and letting go.

The Adventurer Who Kept Us on Our Toes

Hippo wasn't just a pet—he was a force of nature. His adventures became the stories we'll tell forever. Like the time during lockdown when he decided to take a flying leap from our friend's first-floor balcony. Yes, you read that right—a first-floor jump! Thanks to careful weight management (my proudest pet-parent achievement), he escaped with only a broken front leg. What was supposed to be a one-day visit turned into three beautiful months at our friend’s place as Hippo recovered.

Even at 13, he turned heads. This gorgeous Cocker Spaniel-Dalmatian mix had strangers stopping us on the street, asking about his "exotic breed" and refusing to believe his age. Like mother, like son—just kidding!

When Everything Changed

Hippo was perfectly trained to use the balcony. But one day, we noticed him making trips every few minutes, producing only a few drops each time. Our vet diagnosed him with a UTI, and we started treatment. When the discomfort persisted, our experienced vet did a thorough examination and delivered news that shattered our world: cancer.

I was stunned. Hippo was neutered—I thought that protected him. But we learnt something crucial that I want every pet parent to know that neutered male dogs can actually be more prone to Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) than intact males, though overall cancer rates remain low. This aggressive cancer had developed in Hippo's prostate and urinary bladder, blocking his urinary tract and causing the UTI symptoms.

The oncologist at The Cancer Vet gave us options: three months without chemotherapy, potentially up to a year with it. There was even radiation therapy available at Tata Hospital in Mumbai—the only facility in India offering it for dogs. In my overconfident world, I'd imagined Hippo living to 18 or 20. This wasn't the adventure I'd prepared for.

Fighting for Quality, Not Just Quantity

We chose chemotherapy—five rounds, delivered like a simple saline drip. We monitored everything: his appetite, his stool, his energy. We were vigilant. We were hopeful.

But by the third round, Hippo became completely blocked—not even a single drop of urine could pass. That night at 2 AM, watching him struggle broke me. My husband and I drove to Raintree Veterinary Hospital in Pune. It was far, but we had to help him. They're one of the best hospitals in the country, and they catheterized him to remove the urine.

That night, when we finally got home, Hippo slept peacefully. His exhausted body finally found relief. My baby was resting.

The Hardest Decisions

When the cancer vet changed his chemo medication and he remained blocked, I made the decision to switch to palliative care. Raintree suggested surgery, but I knew the cancer had spread. I knew our time was limited. My focus shifted entirely: keep him comfortable, keep him pain-free, keep him loved.

We couldn't consider euthanasia while he was still eating, still showing that spark of life. This foodie who loved car rides deserved one more adventure. We planned a trip.

Seven days before we were supposed to leave, Hippo stopped eating. It felt like he was giving up. I called the vet, ready to say goodbye. Family and friends came to see him one last time. But something magical happened—all that love, all those goodbyes, gave him a new burst of energy. He started eating again. He was looking forward to his trip after all.

One Last Adventure

We took him to Wag-A-Bond, a dog-first forest cottage in Karjat. By then, my husband and I had become two bodies with one mind, functioning in perfect sync to care for Hippo. He moved slowly, but we moved at his pace. We sat by the river for hours. We ate together. We slept together, just like always.

On the third day, multiple organ failure began. At 9:30 PM, Hippo looked at us—really looked at us—and said goodbye. Then he went peacefully.

Earlier that day, I'd asked him to let go. I told him I'd be fine, that he shouldn't worry about me. And that innocent, trusting foodie believed me and left us forever.

Wag-A-Bond helped us with everything. That night, we drove back to Pune and buried him at our farmhouse. A mango tree now grows there—the Hippo tree. I know it will yield countless mangoes, just like the millions Hippo devoured in his lifetime.

What I Learnt

My goal throughout Hippo's illness was simple: comfort over everything. I was prepared to make the difficult decision to euthanize if he was suffering, but he chose his own time, in his own way, surrounded by love.

I'm at peace with the care we gave him. It was our payment—though it never feels like enough—for everything he gave us over 13 extraordinary years.

For Other Pet Parents Facing Similar Journeys

If you're navigating cancer with your beloved pet, here's what helped us:

• Ask questions. Make sure you understand the diagnosis, treatment options, and realistic outcomes.

• Consider quality of life over quantity. Not every treatment is right for every pet.

• Build a support system. Find veterinary professionals you trust completely.

• Trust your instincts. You know your pet better than anyone.

• Make memories. Whether it's three months or three years, make them count.

• Be present. In the end, your love and presence matter more than any treatment.

Hippo gave us 13 years of adventures, loyalty, and unconditional love. We gave him a peaceful ending surrounded by the people who loved him most. That's all any of us can hope for.

Run free, Hippo. Save us some mangoes. 🥭🐾