Ellen M., the board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist who adopted Snuggles from us last fall, emailed us at the end of March with some disturbing news: Snuggles had a melanoma cancer in her jaw and would be undergoing surgery in a few days. A board-certified veterinary surgeon trained in oncology was going to do the surgery, which Ellen said would mean "losing part of her upper jaw ... from the right canine tooth back to the right 3rd premolar (the big tooth on the upper jaw)."
Of course, as upsetting as that was for us to hear, we were also relieved that if this were going to happen to Snuggles, at least her Mom was a veterinary specialist who handles these kinds of medical crises on a routine basis!
A couple of days later, Ellen emailed to say the surgery had gone well and there had been no issues with anesthesia. Ellen wrote, "She has a permanent snarl on the right side of her face. I'm sure when the swelling goes down and her hair grows back, she will look better. And she doesn't care about her looks so I won't either. I am googling famous women pirates (if there are any) for her new nickname. She has had this little growl that she does when she's excited that sounds like a pirate saying 'AARRGH'. With her missing eye and now her new scar, she seems to be transforming into a pirate."
I replied to Ellen, saying "We applied the pirate theme to blind Widget, too ... who also has a growl that sounds like 'aarrghhh!' We’ve been calling her a pirate for years, ever since she lost her other eye, and she acts like one, too — 'what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine.' Snuggles and Widget have more in common than you’d think!"
Well, now that Snuggles' hair has grown back over the surgery site -- she's recovered completely and is doing great -- Ellen dressed her up in a pirate outfit and sent us that adorable photo this past Sunday. The only problem now is that Widget wants an outfit like that too!
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Glad she is doing well, I'm so happy she is loved and cared for so well. And as for a pirate name, how about Grace? Grace O'Malley was known as the Pirate Queen of Ireland long ago. I think Snuggles qualifies as a queen.
Posted by: vida | May 22, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Thanks so much for the update, Ellen. How wonderful to know that Snuggles is now cancer free! Thank you for being such a wonderful "mom" and taking such good care of her!
Posted by: Ann | May 22, 2011 at 02:53 AM
That is just a great picture of Snuggles. glad to hear she is going so well. Widget is indeed another pirate. I'm sure she had a Jolly Rodger hidden by one of her (many) beds. She is just biding her time until she raises it over the RDF as part of her takeover.
Posted by: Bob | May 21, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Whew! I am so thrilled to hear that Snuggles has come through her cancer surgery and recovery with flying colors. It's wonderful that she was adopted by a veterinarian as wonderful as Ellen and is getting the best of care.
I love the picture of Pirate Snuggles. Can't get much cuter than that! Ellen, please keep us updated on Snuggles!
Posted by: Ann | May 21, 2011 at 02:52 AM
Oh Snuggles. Sweet baby. May you mend perfectly and have many happy years ahead, matey! And as for you Widget, you go girl!
Posted by: Lisa K. from CA | May 20, 2011 at 06:13 PM
Great story and God surely was looking out for Snuggles when she needed adopting! Joy to everyone!
Posted by: Linda Murphy | May 20, 2011 at 01:36 PM
It seems Snuggles was fated to be sent to the right places at the right times...RDR then to her new mom who is really qualified to get her the best help she would need. "aarrghhh, ye've found ye a right nice home matey, heal well and feel great".
Posted by: Anne in FL | May 20, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Snuggles is a lucky dog to have Ellen! I'm so glad Snuggles has recovered so well, and is enjoying her pirate life to the fullest!
Posted by: Dawn | May 20, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Widget, you had better give Snuggles her day - she's too cute a pirate not to have it - and "cute pirate" is saying a lot --- I love the name "Snuggles."
Posted by: Angela | May 20, 2011 at 11:15 AM
What a an adorable photo! I hope Snuggles continues to do well-- will keep her in our prayers.
Barbara & Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | May 20, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Snuggles looks just like Penelope Cruz in the latest "Pirates" movie coming out with Johnny Depp. Watch out Penelope, you have a rival....Aarrgh! :) :) Rum all around, Me Hearties!
Love to Snuggles and Ellen.
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | May 20, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Snuggles is cancer free now. She will get her third melanoma vaccine next week. The vaccine should increase her survival to 3 years instead of 1 year. She teaches me daily to go for what you want!
Posted by: Ellen | May 20, 2011 at 10:21 AM
It's so great to see our precious Snuggle with just the right "mommy"....
Always heart warmimg to hear the stories of our precious ones, always ending up with just the right forever home and family!
Posted by: Glenda | May 20, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Ellen, you are a great mom to this sweetheart, and you have a good sense of humor too!
Posted by: Kay | May 20, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Snuggles looks far too sweet to be a "real" pirate!;-)
Thank you for the great news about this darling girl. Is she cancer free now?
Thank you, Ellen, for taking such good care of Snuggles.
I look forward to a similar photo of Widget...;-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | May 20, 2011 at 03:21 AM
Thank you Ellen for taking such good care of Snuggles---so glad she was adopted by you!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | May 19, 2011 at 11:31 PM