When I was six years old, I came home from a sleepover to find out that my childhood pet, a sweet and playful boxer named Greta, was gone. At the time, I had no idea she was even sick. I found out years later that Greta had passed away from cancer.

As it turns out, cancer is the number one killer of man's best friend. That's why Aimee and Brian Thompson started the Stymie Canine Cancer Foundation. Their pet boxer, Stymie, was diagnosed with the disease. The Thompsons were planning to cancel their pet insurance, but, thankfully, still had it when they got the news and much of Stymie's treatment was covered. In hopes that no one would have to face the decision to let their pet go because of finances, the Thompsons founded the organization (with Stymie as its namesake) to help fund the fight against canine cancer. Their newest venture, My Buddy & Me: A Nonprofit Natural Pet Store, had its grand opening on December 1.

Get Involved: Every time you shop at My Buddy & Me, 100 percent of the profits benefit the Stymie Canine Cancer Foundation and its mission to increase awareness and research for canine cancer. The proceeds support families facing uninsured cancer treatment for their pets, and the Thompsons hope to help fund a comparitive oncology study—research that looks at human and pet cancers—in the near future. Bonus: Starting next summer, My Buddy & Me will host regular adoption events in partnership with local animal rescues.

My Buddy & Me, 4530 S .Reservoir Rd, Centennial, 303-772-8339

—Image courtesy of Shutterstock