About a year ago, the veterinarian operated on our dog Mitzi and told us (my wife Mary and me) that she has cancer.

Mitzi had three surgeries in one year. The first one was to remove a tumor on her leg that had grown to the size of an avocado. Three different vets said to leave it alone; do nothing. But then it burst and it had to be removed. It was benign. A few months later, she had a growth on her eyelid. We took her to a canine opthamologist, who cut it out and stitched her eyelid. It was benign.

Then another large tumor on a different leg; the vet operated and it was malignant. It was a “soft-tissue sarcoma.” It was “grade 3,” the worst. He said he tried to get it all out, but was not hopeful. Prognosis: maybe seven months, at best a year.

We began taking Mitzi to a canine oncologist. We told him no heroic treatments, because we believed we had hurt our last dog by subjecting her to too much treatment in a hopeless effort to save her. This time: No radiation, no heavy-duty chemicals. The vet understood. He prescribed a once-a-day pill plus supplements for arthritis. We saw him monthly.

Through all of this, Mitzi continued to be a happy, playful, loving dog. She loves people and other dogs. She weighs nearly 100 pounds and has a big smile. Her coat is a dark, dark brown that looks black. She has white paws that look like mittens (that’s why we named her Mitzi). Her DNA showed that she is 30% German Shepherd, plus 11% Siberian Husky, some Alaskan Malamute, and a little bit of other breeds. A friend found her in a shelter in Hayward, California, in 2012 and brought her to Brooklyn for us. when we asked what breed she is, the friend said, “Think of it this way: Her mother was a mutt, her father was a mutt. They met once.”

Over the past year, I walked her 3-5 times a day. I gave her the cancer pill, probiotics, arthritis meds, whatever she needed, every day. She went through bouts of diarrhea and uncontrollable urinating. For the past few weeks, she’s been wearing a diaper. I am the Dog Guardian, so these are my responsibilities.

On June 25, a week ago, we went to the oncologist. He said we should discontinue the cancer pill because Mitzi has been cancer-free for a year. Was she cured? No, it could return in the future. But for now, she is officially cancer-free.

That’s the best birthday present ever!

Mitzi, Survivor!

I had another terrific birthday present: I learned late last night that Columbia University Press is going to publish my memoirs! Why late last night? Because I missed the email informing me on Thursday.

What a great day!

I’m five years older than Joe Biden and still fighting.

Friday night birthday dinner at the River Cafe in Brooklyn, a gift from my wife Mary, a wonderful partner and friend.

And at the Commencement ceremonies of Wellesley College, my alma mater, President Paula Johnson announced that my family had funded a professorship in my name in the Education Department: The Diane Silvers Ravitch 1960 Chair for Public Education and the Common Good. The first holder of the Chair is Professor Soo Hong.

I am loving this day!