Parmesan

Parmesan (formerly Vaughn), arrived at GR Headquarters in late November 2020 as a hospice case - though his story ended up taking some twists and turns. He was born in Sweden and used as a breeder dog there, then brought to the U.S. upon "retirement" at age 8. His adoptive family in the U.S. became incapable of caring for him, leaving Parmesan locked in a room for 18 months before at last giving him to rescue. As of 12/24/2020, Parmesan was officially adopted.

He had a cantaloupe-sized tumor first thought to be hemangiosarcoma on his spleen, thus leading to his hospice status. After consultation with an experienced vet, Dr. Fayth, GR Mom and Dad concluded this large tumor must be making him uncomfortable, and that removing it would improve his quality of life for whatever time he had left. Because Parmesan was generally happy and alert, despite being old, all agreed surgery was worth it. On12/28/20 he underwent successful surgery to remove the large tumor along with his spleen - though smaller lesions on his liver still seemed to suggest he had cancer that had spread.

But on January 2, 2021, the vet called with a surprise: Biopsies had been performed on both the large tumor and the smaller growths on Parm's liver - and all of them were benign. He was announced to be cancer-free. To thank Dr. Fayth for her skill and good judgment, GR Mom invited Friends Of The Squad to sign a thank you card for her online. A total of 1,700 people left comments, filling 180 printed pages.

Sadly, it was announced just a few weeks later that Parmesan wasn't doing well, and he crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 30, 2021. Despite being with the squad for only about two months, he had captured many hearts.

Parmesan was one of the "fragile" dogs of the squad: needing the elevator, hand-feeding, and lots of attention and reassurance. Another notable characteristic was his huffing, "broken" bark. Prior to his surgery, he wasn't able to walk far so GR Mom and Dad bought him a wagon - dubbed The Cheese Wagon - so he could go out like the other dogs. Post-surgery, he perked up long enough to enjoy an escape-o, in the style of his cheesy counterpart, Queso.

Being the second cheese-named dog of the Squad, Parmesan was a foil to angel dog Queso: whereas Queso was the Big Cheese, tiny Parmesan was nicknamed the Small or Little Cheese.

Chant (like the Queso chant):

Small Cheese, you are the Small Cheese

In the Florida Keys, a nicely aged cheese

I love the Small Cheese, he is the Small Cheese

We miss the Big Cheese, but you're the Small Cheese