When Erin first brought Ducky home, he was a tiny ball of dark fluff with wide, curious eyes. He had a playful spark that made it hard not to smile around him.
Over time, his deep coloring began to fade into something softer — a creamy gray-beige she fondly named “greige.” That became part of his charm.
From Greige Pup To Halloween Star
Ducky quickly earned a reputation as a Halloween icon. He wore dozens of costumes over the years, each one more creative than the last. His favorite? A little pumpkin outfit that always brought extra treats. With each costume post on Instagram, Ducky helped raise money for animal shelters in their Texas community.
But behind the fun photos and costumes was a dog who meant everything to Erin. She adopted him at just 8 weeks old and never looked back.
He became her companion, her shadow, and her quiet source of comfort.
She always knew when something wasn’t quite right with him. One summer day, his gentle cough started lingering a bit too long. She booked a vet appointment, expecting something simple. But what followed shook her world.
Battling Cancer Twice With Bravery
After some scans and careful tests, the vet gave Erin news she never wanted to hear. Ducky had early-stage lung cancer. Her heart dropped, but she held it together for him. Within a month, surgeons removed a tumor from his lung — roughly the size of a golf ball.
To everyone’s surprise, Ducky bounced back beautifully.
He seemed lighter, almost puppy-like again. He returned to his favorite routines: gently chasing squeaky toys, resting next to his feline siblings, and posing in his Halloween outfits.
Erin felt like they had a second chance. But just when things were settling down, life threw another curveball.
Five months later, while relaxing together, Erin’s fingers brushed against a small bump on his leg. A quiet panic crept in.
The vet confirmed her fears — Ducky had developed lymphoma. Hearing that word again was devastating. Still, there was hope. The cancer hadn’t spread, and chemotherapy offered a real chance.
So began a routine of early morning drives, long hours, and tearful goodbyes at the clinic door. Every few weeks, they drove nearly two hours for treatment. Ducky didn’t understand why he felt tired or nervous, but he always stepped forward bravely.
Erin admired his courage, even when he trembled.
A Beautiful Transformation After The Storm
As treatment started, something unexpected happened. Ducky’s fine coat, already delicate from age, began to thin out. Erin had heard that dogs like Ducky, with hair instead of fur, often lose it during chemo.
Watching him change so rapidly was hard. She worried. He looked so small, so fragile. But she reminded herself — this was healing in progress.
Despite feeling sick, Ducky kept his silly spark. He chased toys when he could and gave little tail wags, even on rough days.
Then one morning, Erin noticed a new patch of hair growing in. It wasn’t the light beige she remembered. Instead, a deep, rich brown was taking its place.
Week by week, more of this chocolate-colored hair grew in. His texture shifted too — once smooth and silky, now curly and wiry. Erin joked he was like a whole new dog. Humidity made his coat bounce into wild little curls.
She began to treat bath time like a spa day, using gentle shampoo and conditioner to help his new hair flourish.
This unexpected makeover became a bright spot in the middle of their cancer journey. Amid doctor visits and test results, the joy of watching Ducky transform gave Erin something to smile about.
Holding On To Every Precious Day
After six long months of treatment, the vet gave Erin the words she had been holding her breath to hear — Ducky was cancer-free. To help him gain weight again, Erin makes him a thin steak every night.
And if she’s late, Ducky puts on a dramatic performance, whining until his plate is served.
He still goes back to the vet for regular checkups and scans. Erin doesn’t take a single moment for granted. She’s faced her own battles, living with cystic fibrosis and undergoing countless treatments since childhood. Through it all, Ducky has never left her side.
He’s been more than just a pet. He’s been her quiet strength, her reason to keep going when things felt uncertain. Nearly a year after his first surgery, Erin recreated a photo of them together — the same pose, 11 years apart.
They’ve both changed. They’re both older. But in that photo, you can see something stronger than time: a bond that refuses to break.
“I don’t take a second with him for granted anymore,” she says. “Especially after almost losing him — not once, but twice.”