Dena, “Fospice” Caregiver

Shelters sometimes receive animals who are not medically healthy enough for adoption, but still have the right to live out their golden years in a loving environment and with proper medical treatment. For these pets, the ASPCA supports finding homes that are part foster, part hospice—or “fospice”. Fospice care allows pets to enjoy as many comfortable and happy moments as they can with selfless ASPCA volunteers like Dena.

Growing up in Florida, Dena lived with “tons” of dogs and cats, and she already had a strong passion for animals. She even once asked her father to buy all “the extra land” in the United States so she could put all the homeless animals on it and take care of them. These days, the ASPCA supplies her animal fix. 

Dena decided to provide foster care for ASPCA animals because, she says, “I just love animals and want them all to have the best life possible.” She knew she was ready to provide fospice care after taking one look at Blaze.

Blaze is an eight-year-old Pit Bull who suffers from a blood cancer called multiple myeloma.  While cancer is tough for people and animals alike, Blaze is a fighter and has been succeeding in this battle since she joined us at the ASPCA many years ago.  She is not in pain, and her medication keeps her stable, so when Blaze was taken off of the adoptions floor, she became eligible for fospice care.  While searching for a perfect foster home for Blaze, we introduced her to Dena. Blaze gave Dena one gaze, and it was love at first sight.

Dena has stuck by Blaze’s side through the roughest and scariest times of her illness.  Blaze was on chemotherapy for close to a year and a half and had to swallow chemo pills twice a day.  The cheerful dog was doing well until two months ago, when she was diagnosed with a second type of blood cancer.  ASPCA veterinarians changed her medication and got her on a different regimen. 

Blaze remains strong and now enjoys the company of a new canine roommate, a four-year-old mini-Greyhound mix named Pace.  Blaze frequently visits her ASPCA family and is currently happy and comfortable.

Dena’s top advice to potential foster parents? “It’s worth every minute!”

Update: Blaze passed away peacefully in September 2011, with her fospice parent and friends by her side.