UPDATE 7-22-2010—

I was at the Oregon shelter that morning to help my 12 year old rottie diagnosed with bone cancer over the rainbow bridge. As a foster parent for the shelter I knew Dallas had just come back that morning from her 3rd home. I was in no mood for another dog, no mood to give my heart again, and definitely not in the mood for a puppy; somehow though I ended up leaving with her tucked under my arm like a tiny black suitcase mumbling under my breath about my own lack of sanity.

From that day forward she has brought nothing but joy and smiles into my life and everyone else she meet’s along the way. Dallas always wags her tail from the first rib back, greeting everyone with a friendly hello and a welcoming spirit.

I regularly get compliments what a well trained dog she is. I would love to take the credit, but I am sure I never did anything special; she just always seems to know what you are saying to her. However we do not actually use the D O G word in front of her because she really does not know she is one.

She has always enjoyed going for rides. She is so good that there have been times I forgot she was in the backseat. Other times she thought there may be a car ride and would sit in the car for hours, refusing to get out just in case. Because she is so well tempered and obedient she accompanies me most everywhere, whether a quick trip to the post office, laying by my side, or driving the ALCAN Highway, she is always happy just to be with her person.

I am convinced this miracle dog has a guardian angel watching over her. On Easter she was playing tug tug, her favorite game next to fetching the ball, when I noticed a little blood on her tongue. It seemed she had pulled loose one of her lower canine teeth and injured the gum tissue. I took her to a walk in vet clinic the next morning more worried about infection at her age (she was almost 9) and anticipating a script for antibiotics. Instead the vet immediately started talking cancer, abscess removal, surgery, and lab work. Whoa there Doc! This is just a loose tooth after all. I left thinking “that’s what I get for not going to my regular VCA vet”. But by Wednesday the injury to her gum seemed to be growing and there were more teeth being pushed loose from the pressure of the growth. I took her to VCA and the vet put her on a stronger antibiotic as well as doing a biopsy of the tissue. Just over the weekend the mass had taken on a life of its own and most certainly was no simple abscess. Monday morning, I was at the vet’s office waiting for DR. Simmons when they opened in a complete panic. While I waited the biopsy results also confirmed osteocarcinoma; bone cancer. Surgery was scheduled for that Friday morning. The treatment plan consisted of removing the cancerous portion of her lower jaw back to the pre molars for a clean margin and chemotherapy treatments. From that time on, my life became a whirlwind of vet appointments, online research, cancer chat groups and medication schedules. She recovered from the surgery like the trooper she is, our vet getting clean margins. Dr. Simmons took step by step photos of the surgery and I photo documented her recovery daily on facebook.

Her first chemo treatment was a month after surgery. I expected the worst and once again was surprised with the life and vitality Dallas radiates. She is now coming up on chemo treatment # 5 with 3 more to go. She will need 3 month check-ups, regualar blood work, bi-yearly xrays of the lungs, a special diet and supplements, but it is nothing compared to not having her in my life every precious day. Dallas was there for me when I had my own battle with cancer and now I am here for her. I never thought about the money or what I had to give up for Dallas to get the care she needs to live the full potential of her life.

I am so grateful for all the support and information available online, and more than anything I thank fate for bringing Dallas and I together and for watching over the both of us. I still can’t believe how quickly the cancer grew or how lucky we were to have caught it so early. I am thankful for the compassion and care Dr. Simmons and her staff has provided both me and Dallas. With the gray on her chin gone from post surgery she looks like she acts, a young pup enjoying every moment life has to offer.

Thank you Canine Cancer Awareness for all your help.

—Danika and Dallas

CCA has donated $800 in order to help pay the costs of Dallas’ treatments. Any sponsor donations made on behalf of Dallas will be used to pay unpaid invoices and the checks will be sent directly to Dallas’ vet.

Please also give generously to Dallas. To help sponsor treatment, you can click on the PayPal donate button below or send a check to:

Canine Cancer Awareness, Inc.
44 Devoe Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR DALLAS:

07-28-10 $50.00 Donation from Melissa — I Love you both M.

UPDATE 09-29-2009—

The glee in Roxy’s eyes was inescapable after her high speed racing around the edges of her enclosed yard.

Her slight limp didn’t interfere with our daily long walks. Actually, it was hard to pin down at first, which front leg had the limp.

Then one Tuesday afternoon coming home from her weekly social visit to the senior living home, no one could mistake her hobbling, painful progress to the car;  right paw held high above the asphalt.

At the vet’s the next day Dr. Annette Jones did x-rays and pointed out the tell-tale area on the right leg. The six year old greyhound had osteosarcoma. We were sent to Veterinary Specialists of Rochester, N.Y. for thoracic amputation. Her right leg and shoulder had to go.

There her surgeon Dr. Mehler said Roxy came through surgery very well and could walk with support right away. She was in pain but no more than expected after such an invasive procedure. Roxy learned to adapt but when the pain over rode the medication, a new problem appeared.

She had been troubled by neck pain months earlier and had been treated for it. Now it returned with a vengeance. In her early struggle to compensate for the lost limb, she exaggerated head and neck bobbing.

Once she got a smoother rhythm the neck pain went away.

Roxane now sees Dr. Koch her oncologist, regularly for chemo treatment and blood work.

Those soft dark eyes no longer dart with pain but flash with the joy of play and you can hear her squeaking and prancing before a long walk with one of the two boy dogs she shares home with. She may finish their supper for them or snarl at the younger dog, but never does either one chastise her. She is the gentle queen. Long may it be so.

— Liane

CCA has donated $600 to help pay the costs of Roxane’s treatment. Please also give generously to Roxane. To help sponsor treatment, you can click on the PayPal donate button below or send a check to:

Canine Cancer Awareness, Inc.
44 Devoe Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR ROXANE: