Woman recreated the same photo with her beloved Shih Tzu 11 years later — but the reason his grey coat turned ‘hot chocolate’ is heartbreaking
Life with pets can be full of surprises, joy, and sometimes challenges we never expect. For Erin Abay, her 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Ducky, has been a constant source of love, laughter, and companionship. Over the years, Ducky has captured hearts with his quirky personality and even his signature hair color. Behind the fun and festive photos that filled Abay's feed was a story of courage and resilience, showing just how strong the bond between Ducky and Erin really was. Eleven years later, Erin recreated one of those same photos with her beloved dog, only to reveal that his once gray-beige coat had turned a rich “hot chocolate” color for a heartbreaking reason.
As reported by The Dodo, Ducky is fiercely loyal and a fan of Halloween, often dressed up in elaborate costumes for his annual Instagram series. “He was a very dark puppy,” Erin told the outlet. By the time he turned one, his hair had faded into a gray-beige she called “greige,” earning him the nickname “Ducky with the Good Hair.” But last summer, a routine vet visit for a dry cough changed everything. X-rays revealed Ducky had stage 1 lung cancer, and within a month, doctors removed a golf ball-sized tumor from his lung. “He came home and healed up perfectly,” Abay said. “He acted like a puppy again.” Life seemed back to normal, with Ducky enjoying pup cups, tolerating his cat siblings, and continuing his fundraising efforts for local shelters.
Five months after his surgery, Abay discovered a lump while petting Ducky’s legs. “I immediately got concerned because I figured it was a lymph node, and none of his others were swollen.” Her worst fears were confirmed: Ducky had cancer again, this time, large cell lymphoma. “I was crushed,” she said. Even though it was upsetting, there was still hope; finding the cancer early meant Ducky could get better with chemotherapy. Every three weeks, Abay and a nervous Ducky made a nearly two-hour drive to the oncologist. Brave as ever, Ducky faced each session head-on, even though chemo caused hair thinning. “He looked rough at times,” Abay said. Through it all, his playful personality shone, chasing toys even when he felt weak.
As treatment continued, Ducky’s hair began to grow back in a surprising new color. Tufts of deep brown replaced his gray, turning the once-blond pup into a brunette. “The color change was pretty exciting,” Abay shared. His hair texture also transformed, becoming coarse and curly, reacting to humidity just like a human’s. Abay ensured Ducky received extra care during baths to maintain his new coat. “Out of all the scariness and fear and uncertainty that comes with chemo and cancer, watching his hair transform has been quite joyful and entertaining,” she said.
After six months of chemotherapy, Ducky was declared cancer-free. Abay carefully managed his diet and regular check-ups, determined to keep him healthy. “He will cry for his steak if I am taking a bit too long,” she said. Ducky remained her little rock through medical studies and personal challenges, providing comfort and love every step of the way. Reflecting on their journey, Abay shared, “I don’t take a second of my time with him for granted. Especially after almost losing him to cancer—twice.”