Teddi Mellencamp Stands by Her Decision to Date and Foster a Dog During Cancer Battle

Teddi Mellencamp has a heartfelt message for those who criticize her choice to foster a pet or date while facing cancer.

“We’re fostering a puppy, and he’s the best puppy in the world,” Mellencamp, 43, shared on the Wednesday, June 11, episode of her “Two T’s in a Pod” podcast. “His name is Maverick, and he’s so beautiful. I love him dearly.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum mentioned that people “have been coming for her” regarding her decisions to get a dog and to date.

“They say, ‘The only thing she should focus on right now is her kids and her health,’” Mellencamp recounted. “‘How can she be dating?’”

Mellencamp filed for divorce from Edwin Arroyave in November 2023, just months before she discovered multiple brain tumors. She underwent emergency surgery in February and is currently undergoing additional treatments.

“I can tell all of you [to] f*** off because there’s not a moment when she isn’t concerned about her health or striving to get better,” her podcast co-host, Tamra Judge, remarked. “Seriously, shut the f*** up. Life doesn’t stop just because you have cancer.”

Mellencamp responded, emphasizing that both fostering a dog and dating help her “stay busy” and fend off feelings of depression.

“I’m not going on dates while my kids are sitting here, waiting to spend time with me,” she clarified, highlighting that she and Arroyave, 48, share joint custody. “I wish I could say the criticism doesn’t bother me, but it does. People write, ‘Doesn’t she realize she has terminal cancer? Why would she even be dating?’”

Mellencamp also mentioned that her doctor, who follows her on social media, “doesn’t want [her] to think of [her] cancer as terminal.”

“‘Just because something happened to someone else doesn’t mean that’s the same for you,’” she recalled her oncologist saying. “‘You should go out, have fun, laugh, and live your life.’”

While Mellencamp generally avoids checking her comments, it became particularly “overwhelming” at times.

“I want to fight back, but then I think, ‘Stop, say nothing, don’t read, don’t look,’” she reflected. “I’m feeling better; I’m working out four to five times a week, and fostering this puppy has brought a lot of joy to the kids.”