‘I kicked cancer’s butt’, says pet Juno

Name: Juno

Finest hour: Beating cancer

Likes: Practising my yoga on the couch

Dislikes: Getting my hair done

MY name is Juno, yep you guessed, after Juno and the Paycock, as I too, was born in June. My mother was a little terrier and my father, well, he didn’t stick around but apparently he was a sheepdog.

All I know is my Nana rescued me from the pound when I was five weeks old. I was the smallest puppy there, so she felt sorry for me. I’m not so small now mind you, I’ve put on a few pounds over the years but everyone thinks the bit of weight suits me, so they say anyway.

I live on the Cork/Kerry border, just on the right side mind you, with Nan and my little foster brother Oscar, who stays with us during the day.

He’s a lively Jack Russell, who says enough for both of us, and Blackie the cat, whom Nana also rescued, bless her. We have a great old life together. The River Blackwater flows nearby and I’ve spent many happy summers swimming in it, pure bliss.

In 2015, I was diagnosed with pancreatitis, where I was hospitalised for five days — apparently it was touch and go for a while, but I pulled through. Talk about rejoicing when I returned home, they were all fussing over me. I’ve been on a very strict diet ever since.

My favourite thing in the world is licking the inside of a Tayto bag, God be with the days! I’m still allowed a bit of chicken, so it’s not all bad.

Last summer, during a routine scratch, I discovered a lump in my ear. I mentioned it quietly to my pal Noel, long story short it was a malignant tumour and so I had no choice but to pack my nightie and go off to hospital in Killarney again. Everyone says Killarney is lovely, but all I ever get there is a needle in the bum from the vet, I hate it!

I came home after three days and there’s no point saying otherwise, but I looked a holy show. My lovely velvet ear was all shaved and I had 13 stitches, unlucky for some but not for me. Eight months on, I’m feeling great and cancer-free, yippee. The sow’s ear has again become a silk purse!

I’m in my 15th year now and Nana is in her 90th, we’re flying it the pair of us.

Noel 0’Keeffe, Ballydesmond, Co Cork

If you would like your pet featured in this column, please send a story of 440 words and a photograph to snews@independent.ie clearly labelled MY PET