Penny’s Story: How One Small Symptom Led to a Long Medical Journey

Wendy didn’t expect to be outsmarted every night by a miniature dachshund. But Penny, an eight-year-old red smooth dachshund with a playful streak and a love of winning, has made it her nightly mission. 

#FurkinFamily member Penny is small but mighty, full of personality, and always one step ahead. She has a signature bedtime game she plays with her dog mom, Wendy: “Who wants a kiss on the lippers?” The moment she hears it, Penny rolls onto her back, tail wagging. But just as Wendy leans in, Penny twists and turns to dodge the kiss before sneaking in a quick lick and proudly claiming victory. 

The celebration that follows? Extremely Furkin deserved, if you ask Penny. 

Her playful energy shows up everywhere. She’s even the star of her own YouTube channel, where Wendy imagines her in every career imaginable, from chef to doctor (and maybe, one day, insurance company executive 😉). 

Life with Penny is full of these small, joyful moments... until one subtle change made Wendy pause. 

When Something Didn't Feel Right

It started small: Penny wouldn’t let Wendy brush her teeth on one side. 

It seemed so minor, but Wendy trusted her instincts and booked a visit with her veterinarian. During the appointment, the vet recommended some preventive blood work. 

That’s when Penny’s medical journey really began. 

A Long Road to Answers

What followed was a long series of tests, monitoring, and specialist visits as veterinarians worked to understand what might be going on.

Penny’s care team suspected Cushing’s disease, but there was one big challenge: Penny didn’t show any of the typical symptoms.

To investigate further, Penny underwent:

• Three abdominal ultrasounds

• A heart ultrasound

• Several Cushing's tests

• Frequent blood pressure monitoring (sometimes weekly!)
  

Even after all the digging, Penny’s veterinarians are still watching her condition closely and remain on the hunt for clear answers. 

The Relief of Having Furkin

Through every appointment, test, and blood draw, Wendy says one thing made an enormous difference: having pet insurance. 

Before choosing Furkin, Wendy did her homework, contacting every pet insurance company in Canada to find the plan that worked best for her and Penny (we LOVE informed decisions!!). 

“I decided on Furkin because they had reasonable rates, a small deductible, and a hefty yearly allowance,” Wendy says. 

Because of that pet insurance coverage, Wendy never had to second-guess a single decision when it came to Penny’s care.

Even as Wendy splits her time between Ottawa, Ontario and Davenport, Florida, Penny is covered wherever she goes across Canada and the U.S., thanks to Furkin’s coverage while travelling benefit, helping them both bounce back no matter where they are. 

Support Every Step of the Way

Wendy also says the Furkin Care Team made a stressful time feel a lot easier. 

“I have called customer service a couple of times, and the representative in Canada was super friendly and helpful. You can tell they hire pet lovers, and it shows in the care when they speak to you.” 

And those quick reimbursements? A total lifesaver. 

“A large bill was in my account within days. What a relief Furkin has been.” 

Part of the Family

Penny isn’t the only Furkin-covered fur baby in Wendy’s household. Her cat Floyd is insured, too, although thankfully, he hasn’t needed to put his coverage to the test just yet. But if he ever does, Wendy knows exactly what to expect. 

“Furkin is probably one of the best companies I have ever had to deal with,” she says. “That alone says a lot.” 

For now, Penny continues enjoying her nightly games, winning plenty of “kiss on the lippers” competitions, and keeping everyone smiling with her big personality. 

And through every twist and turn of her health journey, Wendy knows Penny has the care, and the coverage, she deserves.