Instagram story viewer> @raidenrolypoly> Posts

⚡Raiden the Black Lab

@raidenrolypoly

256

followers

140

following

Rescued 💞
📍: Boston, MA
🐕 : Renegade baby of @theelifeofso
🎂 : 01/08/19
8/28/26: Officially in remission (lymphoma)

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Long caption and a vulnerable moment, but here we go…

I honestly never thought I’d be writing something like this.

About two weeks ago, Raiden just stopped eating. At first it was subtle—picky, walking away from food—but then it turned into nothing at all. I tried everything. Cooking his meals, buying different foods, hand feeding him, treats he’s always loved… nothing worked. In a week and a half he lost 10 pounds. My house hippo turned into skin and bones so fast it didn’t even feel real.

We thought it was just stomach stuff. GI upset, nausea. We got meds, appetite stimulants… still nothing. Then came the colitis, more vet visits, more stress, more begging him to just eat. But he just kept getting smaller. Eventually I had to take him to the ER because something wasn’t right.

They kept him overnight. The next morning I got a call saying they found a lot of fluid in his chest. Drained 1.5L of it. And then yesterday… the diagnosis came back for what you never want to hear: Lymphoma.

I don’t really have the right words for that moment. It just kind of knocks the air out of you. Raiden is my baby, my soul dog, my whole heart. It feels so unfair—he is only 7.

Right now, we’ve decided to move forward with chemo. He’s actually responding really well to steroids. He’s eating again (honestly, more than before), his gut is starting to settle after the colitis, and seeing him excited about food again has been such a huge relief I can’t even explain it.

If anyone has gone through this with their dog, I’d really appreciate hearing anything—what to expect, how you handled it, anything at all.

I’m feeling a lot of emotions, if I’m being honest. But I’m also really, really grateful for right now. For him eating. For him being himself again, demanding attention, demanding park time, demanding me move from his spot on the couch.

We’re taking this one day at a time. And we’re going to fight.. But also, take this moment to give your pets an extra hug and kiss 🥺❤️ #raidenrolypoly #dogsofinstagram #explorepage #chemo #lymphoma by @raidenrolypoly

101

30

6 months ago

I have an announcement to make 📣

P.S. @mspca.angell Please note in my file that Lisa must be the one to come pick me up next time 😤

#raidenrolypoly #dogsofinstagram #chatty #lymphoma #remission by @raidenrolypoly

209

4

20 days ago

7,000 miles on the road, 21 states, and a lifetime of core memories with the best boy ever 🥹🫶🏼

Raiden just finished his second round of chemo, and thankfully, he’s doing really well. ❤️

The team at Angell has been incredible—truly some of the best care and treatment we could ask for. We’ve got a two-week break before starting round three.

Pet insurance has been an absolute lifesaver. Without it, the financial burden would be overwhelming. But honestly, no matter the cost, my answer would always be the same: “Yes, do whatever he needs.” If you have pet insurance, keep it. You never know when you’ll need it.

For now, our adventures are staying a little closer to home. This summer is all about road trips—next stops: Niagara Falls and Nova Scotia. 😎🐾
.
#explorepage #theelifeofso #dogsofinstagram #chemowarrior by @raidenrolypoly

69

4

4 months ago

Quick Raiden update ❤️

After four months of chemo, countless oncology visits, and one of the scariest chapters of our lives…

Raiden is officially in remission. 🥹❤️🐾

When he was diagnosed with suspected late-stage T-cell lymphoma in April, we chose to move forward with the CHOP chemotherapy protocol. I knew I wanted to give him every chance I could. So incredibly grateful for his medical team @mspca.angell for all their attentive care, love, and spoiling of this big baby during this time. And everyone who kept Raiden in their thoughts —this little nugget was raised by a village.

A bit of personal experience: thank goodness we had pet insurance.

I’ve had Raiden insured since he was 3 months old. It started as a $24/month policy that I paid for year after year, hoping I’d never really need it.

Since 2020, I’ve paid roughly $3,500 in insurance premiums.

Between his CCL surgery, cancer treatment and other major medical care, his bills have now totaled over $25,000.

$3,500 vs. $25,000+.

This isn’t an ad, and every pet and policy is different. It’s simply our experience—and a reminder to consider insurance while your babies are young and healthy.

For years, I wondered if I was paying for something we’d never need. Looking back now, I’m so grateful I never canceled it.

Because when I heard the word cancer, I already had enough to worry about. How I was going to afford giving him a chance to fight it didn’t have to be one of them.

And now, four months later, that little puppy I insured all those years ago is almost 8…

and officially in remission. ❤️

(last video was when he was first admitted into the ER before he was diagnosed)

#raidenrolypoly #remission #cancer #lymphoma #explorepage by @raidenrolypoly

76

10

2 months ago

More snapshots from our US roadtrip. 23 states in 2 weeks🙈🫠😮‍💨
.
.
#theelifeofso #travel #crosscountryroadtrip #explorepage by @raidenrolypoly

83

1

5 months ago

A few snapshots from my cross-country road trip with @raidenrolypoly 🥹❤️

Ever since Raiden was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, every memory has felt a little more precious. Between rounds of chemo at @mspca.angell, we were lucky enough to make this trip happen—timed perfectly around a family wedding, a graduation, and a chance to make a bucket list roadtrip together.

If there’s one thing this journey has reminded me, it’s that the “right time” isn’t something you wait for. Someday isn’t a day on the calendar. The timing will never be perfect. Life is happening now.

#theelifeofso #lymphoma #grandcanyon #roadtrip #raidenrolypoly taken in Grand Canyon by @raidenrolypoly

59

3

5 months ago

Happy Gotcha Day, my little nugget! 🥺❤️ 7 years since the day you hopped into my lap and never left. 7 years of boundless adventures, the first “child” of our friend group, countless tears you’ve soaked up in your fur, hugs you’ve given, and always my baby forever ❤️

#raidenrolypoly #lymphoma #explorepage by @raidenrolypoly

37

0

5 months ago

Week 2 of chemo is underway 🥺 Raiden is in good spirits, colitis is managed and his gut is healing. Very hungry boy at the moment, but energy is returning and his demands are more pointed now 😅

#raidenrolypoly #dogsofinstagram #dogs #explorepage #lymphoma by @raidenrolypoly

31

2

6 months ago

This is your reminder to give your pet the cuddle and love they crave🥺🥺 #raidenrolypoly #dogsofinstagram #dogs #explorepage #rescue by @raidenrolypoly

28

3

6 months ago

Spring has arrived 🥹 someone is happy with the warmer weather #raidenrolypoly #dogs #explorepage✨ by @raidenrolypoly

11

3

6 months ago

Discovering the joy of remote controlled cars…FastCAT candidate in the making? 👀 #raidenrolypoly #dogsofinstagram #dogs #explorepage #fastcat by @raidenrolypoly

9

0

a year ago

“He’s an athlete, he’s a rockstar~” #raidenrolypoly #dogsofinstagram #dogs #explorepage #trending #rescue #fetched by @raidenrolypoly

9

0

a year ago