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#FurkinFamily member Bug is the kind of dog you don’t forget.
She’s a black-and-white Whippet with endless energy, a soft spot for cuddles, and a personality that is both independent and deeply devoted. If there’s a ball or a frisbee involved, Bug will chase it until someone tells her it’s time to stop, and even then, she’ll probably give you the look.
At almost 4 years old, she’s the enforcer of the household, the protector of toys, and, according to her mom Michele, “the sweetest, gentlest soul” you could ever meet.
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The Call No Pet Parent Is Ready For
In April 2025, Michele got the call that every pet parent dreads. And her world stopped.
Bug had just been dropped off at a boarding kennel while the family prepared for a trip. Minutes after getting home, the phone rang. Bug’s leg was hurt. Badly.
Michele, who managed a veterinary clinic for over 25 years, knew immediately that something was very wrong. A broken leg would have been the best-case scenario.
Unfortunately, the reality was much worse.
X-rays revealed an injury so severe that even experienced veterinarians were stunned. Every ligament and attachment in Bug’s knee had been destroyed, without a single bone fracture. The likely cause: a full-speed collision with a much larger dog. The impact was so violent that, according to Michele, had it been higher, Bug might not have survived.
Specialists at a referral hospital in London, Ontario, weren’t even sure the leg could be saved.
But Bug was ready to prove them wrong.
A Long Road Back
Surgery was complex, intense, and thankfully, successful. Bug’s knee was reconstructed using prosthetic ligaments, and her prognosis was cautiously hopeful: maybe 75% use of the leg with months of dedicated recovery.
What followed was one of the hardest chapters of Bug’s – and Michele’s – lives.
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For 12 weeks, Bug lived in a tightly wrapped splint. She couldn’t walk, couldn’t play, couldn’t do anything on her own. Michele carried her outside for bathroom breaks. Medications were needed just to keep Bug calm enough to rest. Bandage and splint changes happened multiple times a week.
As a Whippet with delicate skin, Bug developed painful pressure sores that required additional treatment and antibiotics. There were moments that were heartbreaking to witness.
But slowly, healing began.
Hydrotherapy. Physiotherapy. Careful steps forward. Week by week, month by month.
Seven months after her injury, Bug was finally released from care.
Today? She has about 95% use of her leg. She runs like nothing ever happened. You would never know how close she came to losing it, or how hard she fought to keep it.
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Having Support When It Matters Most
Throughout Bug’s recovery, Michele submitted claim after claim to Furkin. Each one was handled quickly and with care.
“Furkin never questioned any invoice,” Michele shared.
Payments consistently arrived within 7 to 10 days. Long-term medical needs, like glucosamine, which Bug will take for life to help delay arthritis, were covered. In total, Bug’s care exceeded $16,000, and having Furkin meant Michele never had to choose between cost and care.
💡 Wondering how to pay for an emergency vet visit without pet insurance?
Know your options: How Much is an Emergency Vet Visit Without Insurance
“It all just ran so smoothly,” Michele said. “We highly recommend Furkin and tell everyone who asks to make Furkin your first, and hopefully last, stop.”
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Life After Recovery: Back to Running, Playing, and Thriving
Though the journey was long and tough, Bug didn’t give up, and her healing was thanks to a whole crew behind her. Michele is quick to credit everyone who helped along the way — from family and friends who checked in constantly, to a medical team who treated Bug like their own and were there for every question, every visit, every small win along the way.
And of course, Bug did the hardest part herself.
She healed. She trusted. She kept going.
Stories like Bug’s are why Furkin exists. To be there when the unexpected happens, to take stress off pet owners where possible, and to help pets get back to doing what they love most.
For Bug, that’s running full speed, cuddling close, and reminding everyone she meets just how resilient dogs can be.
Watch Bug's Story in Action 🎥
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Furkin pet insurance cover? ▶
Furkin Pet Insurance provides comprehensive coverage for illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, allergies, etc.), accidents (e.g., hit by a car, broken limb, etc.), and emergencies — the situations you don’t see coming. Coverage includes, but is not limited to, the following professional veterinary services:
- Exam Fees and Applicable Taxes
- Diagnostics
- Imaging - CT scans, MRI and X-Rays
- Medical Procedures
- Anesthesia and Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Emergency Care
- Prescription Medications
- Dental Injuries
- Referral and Specialist Fees
- Alternative Therapies
- Hereditary and Congenital Conditions — Sample Policy
Why do I need pet insurance? Can't I just open up a bank account for my pet(s) and self-insure them? ▶
Having a bank account may help in instances of less costly accidents or illnesses, however, it's hard for most people to save for some of the events that pet insurance helps to cover.
Let's say a person sets aside $50 per month and in the pet's first year, they break their leg while playing fetch or taking a tumble. An accident like this could cost $2,000 but the owner will only have $600 saved up at that point and will need to find an extra $1,400 to pay the vet bills.
For another example, let's say a person saves $50 per month over the course of their pet's lifetime and at age 8 the pet is diagnosed with a cancerous mast cell tumor. Incident could cost $9,000 depending on the type of cancer, location, and treatment options.
Pet insurance transfers that unknown "risk" from yourself to the insurance company.
Will my premiums go up if my dog or cat gets sick? ▶
No. At Furkin, we do not penalize pets who have had to claim more nor do we change your premium due to your pet’s specific medical history at enrollment or renewal. Learn more here.
