Ripley’s surgery went well but owners still awaiting news on cysts found on kidneysPublished Mar 29, 2025 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 3 minute readRosie Shaw lies in bed with Ripley, her service dog which is recovering from major cancer surgery on March 14. ContributedRosie Shaw said she can finally concentrate on her own health now that her service dog is free of cancer.The Guardian followed up with the Johnstons River, P.E.I., woman to update a March 14 story about Shaw and her beloved miniature cross, Ripley, who was facing some expensive procedures to test and treat possible cancerous cells.“We got a call on (March 20) that the surgery to have the tumour removed went perfectly and the borders are clean and so it is considered curative. (That means) he has no cancer anymore and it is extremely exciting.”– Rosie Shaw“It’s been a week since the surgery (on Ripley) and she’s doing well,” Shaw told The Guardian on March 21. “We got a call on (March 20) that the surgery to have the tumour removed went perfectly and the borders are clean and so it is considered curative. (That means) she has no cancer anymore and it is extremely exciting.”THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentMore testingShaw and her husband, Donnie MacPhee, are still awaiting results about the dog’s lymph nodes. A mass tumour was removed from the dog’s neck and a biopsy was taken.Doctors at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in Charlottetown also found a large cyst on Ripley’s kidneys, so the couple is waiting for a diagnosis to see whether it can be treated or if more surgeries are recommended.MacPhee said it was a long week leading up to the surgery. The outcome weighed heavily on the couple.“The dog was a little strange coming out of the anesthesia but a couple of days later her tail started to wiggle again and she started asking for food and to go outside and go for walks,” MacPhee said. “It didn’t take her long to bounce back to her old self. It was a strange turn of events. Last week it felt like the end of the world for us and this week the sun is shining.”GoFundMe donationsMacPhee acknowledged that The Guardian story made an impact.“I guess people probably read your story or got wind of it second hand so that has been really helpful and inspiring,” he said. “Just these people stepping up. It’s been crazy the people that you haven’t talked to for years and years are the first ones on the (GoFundMe donors) list.Article contentThe couple’s GoFundMe goal was $10,000 to cover the medical expenses related to Ripley and, thus far, they have received $11,862 — enough for upcoming appointments and food for Ripley for six months. The couple is not asking for anymore donations at this time.MacPhee also acknowledged the staff at AVC not only took care of Ripley, but they were also attentive toward Shaw. Rosie Shaw said she and her husband, Donnie MacPhee, will find out soon what the treatment options are on a cyst that was found on their dog, Ripley’s, kidney. The dog had a massive tumour removed on March 14 which got rid of the cancer. ContributedShaw said she can now focus on her own health. She has a terminal illness including multiple organ failures as a result of a complex combination of health issues affecting the kidneys, heart and lungs, all exacerbated by a dozen bouts of COVID-19.“I’m overdue for transfusions for myself,” Shaw said. “We can (now) go to Ontario and get on with my own (treatment). I’ve been getting sleep, like, three hours a night since we found out about (Ripley) and after they called (March 20) I was in bed by 1 (p.m.) and slept for nine hours. I guess it’s been stressing me out.”Medical leaveRipley is on medical leave until March 31. Shaw has postponed all of her appointments until then.The couple will also be spending some time with a pet nutritionist because Ripley is now required to go on a fresh food diet, which the dog loves.Article contentShaw and MacPhee will know soon if Ripley is in the clear.Shaw said the process with Ripley has been inspiring.“She is really strong and that has been another really cool thing to see,” Shaw said. “She is teaching me lessons about bravery and resilience. Seeing her go through this gives me the feeling that I can go through it, too.”At a glanceFollowing are why Shaw needs a service dog and what services the dog provides for her:Attends every medical appointment with Shaw.Some medical appointments take her to Ontario and New York City for treatment, appointments Ripley attends.Shaw has anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism and is neurodivergent.Ripley started out as an emotional support dog. The couple then spent $12,000 training her to become a full-service dog, a process that took two years.Dave Stewart is a reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at dstewart@postmedia.com and followed on X at @DveStewart.Article content
P.E.I. woman’s service dog now cancer free, awaiting further tests
