Besides providing knowledge and an awareness of canine cancer, Canine Cancer Awareness has mainly been established to help those owners who have been faced with a diagnosis of cancer in their precious dog but simply cannot afford treatment. Our goal is to assist the owner with treatment costs while working closely, and sending funds directly to, their veterinarian.

However, due to the overwhelming requests we have gotten for financial assistance, we are unfortunately unable to help all of those who have gone through the application process. We screen our applicants very carefully so as to distinguish those who truly are not able to afford treatment. These treatments can be very expensive, most times in the thousands, which also depletes our funds rather quickly. Our goal is to really make a difference.

It is here that we look to the public for help. The dogs listed here are in desperate need of treatment. Those marked “URGENT” need your help NOW. Please consider sponsoring one or more of the dogs listed on a monthly basis. Your donation will go specifically to your “adoptee.” Any progress noted will be posted as an update. Also please be aware that when donating to a specific dog, if those funds are not used for any reason, the board of Canine Cancer Awareness, at it’s own discretion, will determine how the sponsorship money will be divided among the other dogs needing sponsorship.

Your donation to Canine Cancer Awareness will enable us to help them continue to lead a happy, comfortable life. Please help us provide some precious quality time for these dogs and their owners.

For those wishing to make a donation without going to Paypal, you may mail a check to:

Canine Cancer Awareness
44 Devoe Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

DOGS CURRENTLY NEEDING SPONSORSHIP

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DOGS THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM SPONSORSHIP IN THE PAST

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APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

We realize that treatments for canine cancer are very costly and can create financial hardship. If you are struggling and need assistance to provide your dog with cancer treatment you are encouraged to download an application for financial assistance.

All payments go directly to the veterinarian based on newly submitted invoices dated after completion and approval of the application.

Please email us at info@caninecancerawareness.org if you have any questions or to return your completed application along with the required supporting documentation. We apologize, but we do not accept phone calls.

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Roxy’s Story

UPDATE 12-20-2009—

I adopted Roxy from my local Animal Control shelter when she was 5 months old. She was the last one left of her litter; the others had all been adopted at 2 months old. She had just had eye surgery to eliminate her reoccurring cherry eye infections; her right eye was stitched shut with hot pink stitches while she was healing. She was malnourished and looked so sad with only one eye to use, but she had so much personality that I could not stop thinking about her.

Read More About Roxy…

CCA has donated $720 to help pay the costs of Roxy’s treatment. Please also give generously to Roxy. 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 ROXY:

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Daggit

UPDATE 12-30-2009—

I adopted Daggit as a 9-week old pup at a puppy rescue in Colorado. She’s an Australian Shepherd/Lab mix (to the best of my knowledge). Even before I brought her home from the puppy rescue, I knew she was a very special girl. They always say “the dog chooses you” and this was no exception. Although she was still a little puppy, she showed me that she already knew how to play catch and even brought the ball back to me. That’s when I knew she was coming home with me. Not only was she as cute as can be … she was so smart!

Daggit is now 9-years-old. She’s a real sweetheart and an absolute momma’s girl. We’ve been through so much together, including moving across country. Such an intuitive and sensitive soul … and still so playful and fun-loving, even in her ‘older’ years. Daggit has been there for me as much as I’ve been there for her and I want to do everything I can for her to beat this cancer. I need to do everything I can for her. She’s a fighter and I know she won’t quit on me so I know I will not quit on her.

Read More About Daggit…

CCA has donated $500 to help pay the costs of Daggit’s treatment. Please also give generously to Daggit. 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 DAGGIT:

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Roxane’s Story

Living with Cancer

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.

Read More…

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HARRY

UPDATE 09-24-2009—
We are sorry to report that Harry passed away. Our thoughts go out to Harry’s mom LaDonna.

UPDATE 08-13-2009—

Harry came to me at 7 months old, the breeder thought him too large to keep since he weighed in at almost 25 lbs and was bigger than his mother by then, breed standard for Cavaliers is between 12-18 lbs. I thought he was beautiful, and so did his golden retriever new sister Maisey.
Read More…

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KATIE SCARLET “SCOUT” KELLY

UPDATE 05-09-2009—

Katie Scarlet is all about character. Initially named after the diva in “Gone With the Wind,” her tomboyish antics soon gave her the nickname, Scout, after the girl in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Scout adored people at an early age—she loved adulation, and was often the class clown in her obedience classes. She was also quite the diva and expected all the attention when she walked into a room. Her nature and temperament suggested that she would be great at therapy work, so she was enrolled in further classes. She obtained her Good Citizen Certification and was registered with the Delta Society to begin training for work in nursing homes and hospitals. She has been a welcome sight at local parks where she plays with children and allows seniors citizens to coo over her.

However, at 18 months, Scout was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the rib, and the cancer was growing fast, affecting her breathing. Doctors were baffled why such a young dog would contract this disease, but urged us to move fast. In April, Scout underwent a five-hour surgery to remove the tumor (growing inside her rib) and two ribs on either side of the affected rib; they also removed tissue surrounding the area. She had her first dose of chemotherapy the next day.

In the weeks following the surgery and chemotherapy, Scout continues to delight her doctors with her quick recovery and happy demeanor. She has had no side effects or nausea. She is a chow hound who loves food—hers and yours. When she walks into the Washington State University Veterinarian Teaching Hospital, she does so like a queen greeting her subjects. As her oncologist vet says, “Everybody knows Scout—she makes sure of it.”

Scout has several IV chemo treatments left. She is now taking a daily low-dose chemo pill. Just before her diagnosis, Scout’s “mom” lost her job—another statistic in the growing recession. Scout’s “dad” is a disabled veteran who is returning to college for retraining, thanks to the Veteran’s Administration. The medical bills have continued to pile up, and the couple has sold some personal items to help pay the mounting bills. WSU Vet School has been patient in allowing the couple to make payments.

With her shaved hair and big rib scar, Scout will be the hit at a new program this summer called The Be Kind Garden, where abused and sick children will plant vegetables and flowers. Scout will become their mascot, and since she will look like many of them, she will be an inspiration to those fighting disease. Her altered look doesn’t faze her a bit, and we think it will help the children accept their appearance as well.

More than anything, Scout loves to swim and would stay in the water until she wrinkled and turned blue. We want her to have the opportunity to swim again—it brings her such joy and gives us such pleasure to watch her—she is so graceful in the water. We have to believe that Scout was put here for a purpose, and we will give her every opportunity to make her life meaningful. If you can help us, we would be grateful, and more importantly, Scout can make her time count as something more than our beloved pet.

— Christina

CCA has donated $700 to help pay the costs of Scout’s treatment. Please also give generously to Scout. 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 SCOUT:

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JESSIE

UPDATE 04-03-2009—

We’re Stan and Brenda and this is our female cockapoo, Jessie, hiding in her favorite place, her pillow fort.

Jessie had a rough start in life: when she was barely three months old, she began having terrible seizures and her original owners wanted to get rid of her. Her then-vet warned us she’d never be a good dog and we should put her down. We refused and instead found treatment for her epilepsy. Admittedly, she was a bit wild during this period, but we worked with her, and over time, she became a sweet, gentle, loving member of the family.

Last November, we noticed Jess had developed a limp and her stamina wasn’t what it used to be. She didn’t want to go for walks and she had little to no appetite. We took her to the vet and he confirmed the worst: lymphoma.

Although she’s 14-years-old, we felt she still had some time left to her so we decided to proceed with chemotherapy. We’ve been fortunate to find a wonderful, caring group of people at the Purdue Vet Teaching Hospital/Small Animal Clinic, and we are forever indebted to Dr. Michael Childress for all his dedication to Jessie’s treatment. We’re also thankful to a tech intern named Jacob, who always makes the time to visit Jess and give her attention and affection when she’s in the clinic for her chemo treatment. We’re also grateful to CCA for their generous sponsorship that helps underwrite our girl’s medical bills.

Realistically, we know we aren’t going to beat this awful thing, simply delay it, but every day extra we’ve had with Jessie since we first learned of her illness has been a blessing we neither take lightly nor regret.

— Stan and Brenda

CCA has donated $500 to help pay the costs of Jessie’s treatment. Please also give generously to Jessie. 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 JESSIE:

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ROMY HERMAN

UPDATE 06-02-2009—

We are sorry to report that Romy passed away. Our thoughts go out to Beth in this difficult time.

UPDATE 03-26-2009—

In May of 2002, I had moved to Nashville for a job with my dog Skylar. He and I were deeply grieving the loss of Lilly, my other dog. (Both Skylar and Lilly had been living in a cage together in a dilapidated car lot in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when we found each another, before my move to Tennessee.)

I clearly recall being incapacitated by the grief I felt for Lilly while driving to an appointment that day in May. In that I was new to Nashville, I’d left early to find my way around and had arrived ahead of schedule, entering a store to look around and take my mind off of things. Much to my surprise (great shock, actually), a young woman in the store with a scrawny yellow Corgi-Chihuahua mix asked me if I wanted him, explaining that she bred German Shepherds and had only taken him from a shelter because someone there told her he was about to be euthanized for space purposes. Living on an acre of land with 20 German Shepherds, the little Corgi-Chihuahua spent his days and nights under her bed in a box, so as not to be injured by the bigger dogs. I later also learned (via sheriff’s records) that this dog had started his life in a house where he was so badly abused and neglected, he was eventually removed from the premises (it takes years to build a case like that, replete with eye witnesses willing to step forward, so one cannot begin to imagine the suffering he endured for so long). He’d then been taken to a shelter and eventually went to live with an older woman, who passed away, wherein he lived with the body before anyone realized it. Placed once more in a shelter and facing euthanasia, the woman with the German Shepherds rescued him, but only temporarily.

It took me a week because I was clouded by my grief, but I finally decided to take him. Apparently someone else had agreed to take him in the interim, and when I discovered this, Skylar and I drove out to the acre of land with the German Shepherds and literally cried at the front door, begging for him and handing her a list of references, including former and current veterinarians. The woman let me walk him but refused, and I cried all the way home, calling her probably 10 more times that day. At 5 p.m., she called me, saying the individual never showed up, and he was mine. His name had been Tony but I renamed him Romy because he was little and blonde, like the blonde in the movie “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion.”

If we move ahead to the current day, I live in New England again (where I was born and raised). Both my mother and Romy were diagnosed with cancer here on June 10, 2008 (my mother is doing fine now). I had been laid off from my newspaper job five months earlier, and only because of the assistance provided by a few local organizations and individuals, and primarily because of the enormous generosity of CCA, Romy began chemotherapy for his lymphoma which involved his lymph nodes, liver, spleen and pancreas. He was in the early stages of liver failure.

Within 12 hours, Romy began to respond to chemotherapy, and within a few weeks was in remission. Chemo continued through November (it was a five-month CHOP protocol), but he came out of remission two months later in mid-January, 2009.

By this time, my other dog, Skylar, had also been diagnosed with cancer (actually in September of 2008) – fibrosarcoma in his mouth and nose – and was undergoing palliative radiation at an animal radiation facility. Though I would take the proverbial bullet for Skylar and Romy, I was still unemployed except for some temp jobs here and there, but too ashamed to ask for help from CCA. I have always been self-sufficient, and this time of high unemployment has been very painful. Nevertheless I tried to be enterprising and worked out a barter arrangement with the radiation facility, working on their Web site in exchange for Skylar’s radiation. When Romy came out of remission, however, I did have to appeal to CCA again on his behalf, and once again they found it within themselves to support me with amazing generosity this winter.

Chemo for Romy (at about $250 a session) is ongoing, and funds are almost gone now. I wish to keep Romy alive. I have always believed it is one thing to have to pull the plug on an animal when he is suffering and in pain and all remedies have failed, but quite another to have to do it when he is thriving under his current treatment, as Romy is today. I had to put Skylar to sleep on March 25, though radiation oncology had given him the gift of an additional six months from the date of diagnosis. I am grieving deeply (he was my rock and my heart and my reason for being), but I am grateful for my time on earth with this extraordinary soul. If someone can find it within their heart to provide something for Romy, who is also my entire heart, so he and I can be together for a little while longer while he is feeling so wonderful, there are no words to express my gratitude.

Thank you and God’s blessings.— Beth, Romy and Skylar’s mom

CCA has donated $750 to help pay the costs of Romy’s treatment.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR ROMY:
04-13-09 — $25 (Donation from Mysti in memory of Sadie Mae)

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CARSON

UPDATE 03-17-2009—

Oh dear Lord no matter how many times it happens it still tears me apart. My honorary nephew…Pam’ s goofy lab Carson is on his way to the vet to make his journey to the bridge. He’s such a sweet, stoic, happy boy even now so excited to ride in the car. He loves to ride in the car! he is in tremendous pain and he gave Pam “the look” not long ago. It kills me not to be there…I am at work.
—Rebecca and the motley crew

UPDATE 03-12-2009—

Carson was unceremoniously dumped at a local high-kill shelter the day after Christmas 2006 at the age of 8. The fact that he even made it to the kennels was a miracle. This particular shelter considers anything over the age of 7 as “unadoptable” and generally those dogs go straight back to the euthanasia room. Add to that the fact that Carson has a malformed left front leg which later testing revealed was the result of three breaks as a puppy that were never treated.

I am a golden retriever person through and through and told many people I would never have any dogs except goldens. The lesson learned? Never say never. This bouncy little cream colored boy with gold ears, a deformed leg and a smile from ear to ear tore at my heart. I convinced myself that I would pull him and find a rescue to take him in. I didn’t need another dog. I didn’t want another dog. Carson, however, had other plans.

Fast forward to late summer 2008. My happy little Carson McBoing Boing has brought so much joy into my life and in the process I fell hook, line and sinker. He was and continues to be a trooper in every sense of the word. He ran faster than any dog with four good limbs I’ve ever had and he exudes nothing but enthusiasm and a zest for life. So one afternoon when I opened the gate to the dog park to let him run down to the water and saw him limping on his right hind leg, I knew something was awry. I allowed him to rest, treated him with NSAIDs and some herbal supplements and the limping temporarily stopped. But in time, his right hip began to take on an odd shape….something just wasn’t right.

On November 18, 2008 I got the diagnosis I had dreaded: Cancer. Carson had late stage pelvic osteosarcoma. Amputation was not an option….you can’t amputate a pelvis. And even if amputation had been possible, he didn’t have three good limbs to stand on…..his malformed front leg (or “boo boo foot” as we fondly called it) could not have handled the excess weight. It was full of arthritis. The internal specialist gave a very grim prognosis. Two months at the most….and I was strongly urged to euthanize him in the office that very day as I was told there was nothing that could be done. I declined…..I saw too much life left in my little guy.

We immediately began seeing our holistic vet, Dr. DiNatale. As far as we’re concerned, Dr. Connie all but walks on water. Her down-to-earth nature, compassion and wonderful sense of connection with her patients have given so much extra time to my goldens and heart kitty who romp now at the Rainbow Bridge. If anyone could help Carson live his days to the fullest, it would be Dr. Connie. She began a protocol of acpuncture along with some supplements, homeopathy, chiropractic adjustments…..and an unbelievable bond with Carson.

It has been nearly four months since Carson’s grim diagnosis, and he continues to plug away in his true gooofball fashion. I think the positive energy we feel when we enter Dr. DiNatale’s office along with her vast knowledge of both Traditional Chinese Medicine working in complement with some traditional therapies are buying my Dirty White Boy (yet another nickname) quality time. Carson is an inspiration to all he meets…..he is always up for a ride in the car, he is happy and quirky and I am so blessed and honored to be his Mom.

To CCA, my heartfelt thanks for your help by allowing us to continue Carson’s treatments. I wish there were words that could adequately convey what I feel in my heart, but perhaps for now the smile on my boy’s face will send that message loud and clear. Bless you for what you do, and thank you for allowing us to be recipients of your goodness!

— Pam and Carson

NOT today…NOT without a fight.

CCA has donated $700 to help pay the costs of Carson’s treatment. Please also give generously to Carson. 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 CARSON:
4-7-09 — $396.31 (Donation from Sherri — for Pam’s Carson. Sponsor Donation for his outstanding bills.)
4-3-09 — $50 (Donation from Sherri)

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WILLOW

UPDATE 01-16-2009—

“She Squirmed across the sheet, struggled in the darkness, driven by instinct, the last puppy born edged closer to my armpit. Marveled by her strength, beauty and perfectly formed miniature canine features, I savored this moment. The puppy nudged in my armpit, it tickled, eventually I picked her up and I plugged her onto a nipple on Theia’s belly. I liked this little one, seconds old and we already had a soul touching moment. I pushed the encounter out of my mind. Sleep over came us all, canines and human. In the stillness and silence of that early spring morning in May, a new journey began to unfold…”

That was how Willow and I first met. She is the sweetest, most gentle dog and my soul’s companion. We have been separated only ONE night in her entire life, we travel together everywhere from Maine to Connecticut, to errands around town, walks daily in the woods and she and her son wait patiently in the car during my massage appointments. We are so close we hear one another’s thoughts; her constant vigil has saved me many times.

Willow, my 12-year-old Labrador retriever, was diagnosed with lymphoma on September 8, 2008. One morning, I noticed her neck lymph nodes were enormous. Within days nearly all her nodes were swollen. There were no other signs. I had to do all I could to help Willow. I did not know where the money was going to come from, but I had to believe it was there.

I have no savings; my summer job ended, and up to then I lived paycheck to paycheck. My newly formed canine massage business became the only source of income, which barely covered my car payments. I sent a letter to friends and family for help. I was given a substantial donation from a friend to get started with treatments and the rest trickled in from family, friends, yard sales, consignment, and donations from agility competitors. With these donations I was able to get over half way through Willow’s treatment. I searched the web and applied to all sorts of cancer funds.

In October 2008 Willow began her chemotherapy treatments. It was a rocky start and the prednisone drove us all crazy. Willow suffered a severe infection that was treated with antibiotics. For the most part we managed the ill effects and sleepless nights, worry became a constant lingering shadow. After each treatment Willow always seemed to feel a bit under the weather, but bounced back. I had asked the oncologist if anyone had ever regretted gong through chemotherapy for canine lymphoma and he said: “No, not one person has.” I now understand. After four weeks of treatment Willow was in remission. If I had not gone through the chemotherapy Willow would have been very sick by Christmas time, I now have been given this extra time and I am so grateful.

Only four treatments remain and I am flat broke, out of money. I am on fuel, electric assistance, and just recently applied for food stamps. I keep telling myself the only way is up from here, so the job searches continue.

Forced to cancel an appointment, I was worried what the consequences might be. I consulted the oncologist, who felt one week ought to be ok and kept my next appointment. We had come so far against such opposing odds, things just had to work. Then late one evening I randomly checked my email and there it was, a message from Canine Cancer Awareness stating they received my application, I would hear from them soon! This email arrived the very day I cancelled Willow’s appointment. I began to think about Willow’s next appointment on 01/21/09. Again, compelled to check my email late one night, 01/14/09, and there was the approval for Willow’s sponsorship from Canine Cancer Awareness! This sponsorship will get us just $250.00 shy of completion. I do not know where that money will come from, but one way or other everything will work out. Willow has amazing love and support from near and far.

My heart felt gratitude and THANK YOU to Canine Cancer Awareness for coming through in the final stretch.

— Mary

CCA has donated $800 to help pay the costs of Willow’s treatment. Please also give generously to Willow. 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 WILLOW:

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GAMBIT

UPDATE 12-16-2008—

Gambit was diagnosed at the very young age of 5 years old in his birthday month of Sept. 2008 with late stage lymphoma. I was always hopeful that I would have Gambit into his old age, and certainly didn’t expect anything like this ever to happen to him. The following week I was laid off from my job due to cutbacks in the economy (typical story these days: last hired, first laid off). I took my last paycheck and my one week of severance pay and put it all towards Gambit’s care. I have no savings as I am also in graduate school. You see, Gambit is one of my furry children. He is very special to me as he is my first dog, ever. I adopted him from Smiley Dog Rescue at 8 1/2 weeks. I take him everywhere with me, and when working full time, pay someone to take him out for several hours per day. And, I miss him dearly while I am at work!!! Friends have told me that they will do anything for their children, and I have to agree! Nervous about asking for money to help me with my schooling before, I immediately started asking friends and family and foundations to help out with Gambit’s very expensive course of chemo treatment ($10,000). Lots of folks have come through, thank God, as after spending that last paycheck and severance pay, I have been broke and only receiving unemployment (which has not come in consistently, which I think is due to the overwhelming amount of folks laid off in October, November and December of this year).

Gambit is at the stage where we have made it to the second part of his chemo treatment. This is a holiday miracle because he reacted badly to his first chemo in October (and was hospitalized and I was told to be prepared to say goodbye to him) and he failed to respond to his second chemo (and I was given a very poor prognosis for him) as well as I thought I would never be able to raise enough money for his continued treatment. Thank God, through friends, family and another foundation’s support, we afforded his third chemo and he responded really well–and to all the chemo’s after. So he is in a good state. We just need assistance with funding through the first week of March, 2009 with chemo which is now only every other week (thank God!). I start a part time adjunct teaching job in San Francisco in January but won’t receive my first check until the end of February. I keep looking for full time work as well, but with the holidays approaching, I am sure this will slow down for everyone. So realistically, I can expect to perhaps hear back from folks regarding any interviews after the new year.

Gambit is a very special muffin. He is part black labrador, part Australian Shepherd and part Chow-Chow or Husky (he has a very curly tail and talks a lot!) He loves to play and now that he is feeling better again, jumps around his favorite dog park (Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley, CA) with his dog friends. He is very sensitive to the little dogs as one of his best friends is a miniature Dachshund. I am hoping that if we make it to an older age that he can be a therapy dog and visit elderly people and kids in the hospital. Right now, our focus is on getting him into remission.

If you can help with just little donations, we would be ever so grateful! I promise to give back to the Canine Cancer Awareness fund as soon as I land a full time job as I am forever changed by Gambit’s cancer diagnosis. Having met so many others struggling with the same, my eyes are opened. It’s a heartbreaking disease and the feeling of powerlessness if only helped by those who offer their support, prayers and donations.

With wishes for a good holiday for all the dogs and their people’s struggling with canine cancer and huge thanks (and Gambit kisses) for those able to donate to Gambit’s cause.

— Eileen and Gambit (woof!)

CCA has donated $400 to help pay the costs of Gambit’s treatment. Please also give generously to Gambit. To help sponsor Gambit’s 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 GAMBIT:
01-16-09 — $50 (Donation from Sherri in memory of Tiki)

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MOWGLI

UPDATE 11-05-2008—

Here’s Mowgli’s story:

Mowgli had tumors removed on 8-29-08. Biopsies were taken. The tumor in his throat was invasive thyroid carcinoma. The vet said he ad 2 months to live. It crushed me. The vet didn’t give much hope. So I called my vet and asked her if I could do anything to save him. She referred me to Dr. Pedro A. Boria at Great Lakes. I took Mowgli to see Dr. Boria. He took x-rays of Mowgli’s lungs and there was no cancer there. He took an aspirate of his lymph nodes and found no cancer there. So that gave me some hope. I went up there with $450.00, it came to $424.20. Left me with $25.80 to my name. I talked to people in church and they have been praying for Mowgli and even help me to sell candy bars to raise money for Mowgli.

Mowgli had a ct scan next to see if the tumor could be removed. Dr. Boria didn’t think that it would be good to remove it. I had to borrow money from my job to pay for that. By this time I’m broke and in debt.

I’m not going to give up on Mowgli. I love him and I love all my babies. All animals need someone to care and love them. Next came chemo at $633.00. I had to sell my car and borrow more money for that. And now you came through for Mowgli and I thank you so much. It is hard not to have the money to save him. I pray all the time for him.

I’ve had Mowgli since he was a puppy. He is a brindle boxer. He has an overbite. He is a good looking boy. As of now, Mowgli is still eating well. We still go for walks. He still jumps up in my arms. I love him so much. I don’t have any kids, my dogs are my kids. And I did receive your letter. I hope someone will help me so I can help save Mowgli.

I thank you so much for your helping Mowgli. May God Bless You and keep you safe.

Thank you, Canine Cancer Awareness
Sincerely,
— Jim
p.s. Mowgli is 8 years old and will be 9 at the end of December.

CCA has donated $600 for Mowgli’s treatment.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR MOWGLI:
11-29-08 — $50 (Donation from Lana)

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TED

UPDATE 04-02-2009—

I just wanted to send you an update on Ted. He is doing well. He is still treating, but things seem to be going well…no signs of cancer progressing. Now that spring is here he seems to be feeling a bit more frisky and playful.

In two weeks it will the one year anniversary of the beginning of this adventure. It is hard to believe it has already been that long. The doctors that diagnosed Ted told me he probably wouldn’t last this long. I am very happy to say that he is still going strong.

Thank you so much for all of your support. The help is greatly appreciated. When all of this is over, I hope to be able to help another dog through their healing journey.

Thank you very much,

— Jennifer and Ted

UPDATE 11-19-2008—

Ted is doing great! He recently had a check up and everything is looking good. If he keeps on this track I can start reducing his treatments at the first of the year. He is happy and healing. Thank you for all of your assistance.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

— Jen and Ted

UPDATE 10-23-2008—

Hello! Here is Ted’s story…

In April Ted had a really bad bloody nose. After a pretty invasive diagnostic process he was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma in his left nasal cavity. The news was devastating to stay the least. Ted and my kitty, Sierra, are my furry children. To think of him being sick was heart-breaking. The doctors said he had maybe 6 months to a year to live.

Thankfully, many people in my life extended their love and help to me. A friend of mine purchased an ebook called “Curing Canine Cancer.” It was filled with so much helpful information about treating canine cancer naturally, which was the only avenue I felt comfortable with. Luckily I got a job in Portland, OR shortly after his diagnosis and was able to go to the veterinarian that the author of the ebook used for his dog. Ever since then Ted has been on a pretty extensive holistic and homeopathic regimen. We only focus on his healing and he never get’s treated like he is sick. The best part is Ted is doing great! You would never know he has a thing going on except for the occasional sneeze and some congestion. This week is 6 months since we became aware of his problem and he is thriving. The veterinarian says that these are all wonderful signs of his healing.

Ted is a very happy and sweet dog. He melts hearts everywhere he goes. He truly is a light in my life and the life of those around us. Ted is a real live love machine. I think the world is a better place because he is in it.

Thank you so much for the love and support Ted has received and will be receiving. We are forever greatful.

Lots of love,
— Jen and Ted

CCA has donated $600 for Ted’s veterinary bills. Please also give generously to Ted. To help sponsor Ted’s 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 TED:

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TIGGER

UPDATE 01-21-2010—

In May 2008 Tigger was given months to live, but with the embolizations, surgery, and chemo, Tigger is still with me. Thanks to Dr. Chick Weisse, VMD, DACVS, of AMC in NYC. And to everyone who gave towards Tigger’s fight! Tigger is my miracle in NJ.
— Kathy

UPDATE 01-06-2010—

Tigger my little Rocky! continues his fight ! I’m letting you know how Tigger is doing. I was so scared during the year to write a update because I thought something bad would happen. After his surgery he did not get clean margins so oncology said Tigger was strong enough for five treatments of chemo. I was so scared sitting there thinking he just went for surgery a month ago and now chemo. I had to sign papers stating the chemo could cause heart and bone problems. Tigger had no problems with chemo except alittle GI upset and hair loss. Remember in Aug 07 he had his first surgery mass removed in liver and liver was resectioned. It came back eight months later and it was inoperable. They said sorry no one wanted to take the risk of surgery. The doctor said maybe this one doctor could help he does a procedure thats new and it may help. People come to see him from all over world. Going from sorry there is nothing we could do to someone who might help. That ounce of HOPE that Dr. Chick Weisse gave to me meant so much to me. And I will never forget it…he performed the two chemoembolizations and he was able to operate last year. Since then Tigger had the five treatments of chemo and every three months ct scans and blood work. Jan 4 , 2010 the ct scan showed a shadow area so they did aspirate. These areas showed necrosis and no tumor recurrence. Can not be 100 percent but Dr. Weisse said it’s good news. Our problem now is his bloodwork platelets are elevated and his alk. phospate. Vet said it could be Cushings disease so Tigger will have to get more bloodwork. Medical bills from chemo, to ct scans, to ultrasounds have added up to over 9,000 dollars. Tigger still runs and plays. I want to thank everyone who gave towards Tigger’s fight against this horrible disease. Tiggers medicine and supplements comes to about three hundred dollars alone. Tigger means the world to me. And was given months to live and is still with me thanks to Dr. C. Weisse now at AMC and Dr. Griessmayer, the oncologist at Matthew Ryan at Penn. I thank both Vets for giving me the courage to fight for Tigger. I want to thank the nurses in oncology at UPenn for taking care of Tigger. And most of all Thank you CCA for helping us fight the fight! And to everyone who made this happen by supporting Tigger. To me it’s a miracle. Please let us continue.

— Kathy

UPDATE 12-19-2008—

As you know Tigger went for surgery yesterday. They could not remove spleen because of scar tissue. The mass in liver that we have been treating the surgeon removed as much if not all of the mass. Will not know until biopsy comes back with hopefully clean margins. What they noticed was little growths thorough the liver could be nothing they aspirated them for biopsy. He needed blood during surgery they said he will be in Icu until today. Please say a prayer for my little rocky TIGGER. I thank all of you who said a prayer and for those who supported Tigger. Please Remember him in your prayers .

— Kathy
Support www.caninecancerawareness.org
Not Today…Not without a Fight!
Cancer is a word until it hits home………

UPDATE 10-19-2008—

I adopted Tigger three years ago from Small Dog Rescue in Princeton, NJ. They saved him from being put down. He was adopted into three homes before and returned. The moment our eyes met it was love at first sight. Tigger is my son, my love, my everything. In August 2007, the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia performed an ultrasound and a mass was seen in the liver. The next day it was removed with clean margins. Diagnosis: hepatocelluar carcinoma HCC, a highly curative cancer with surgery. But Tigger’s cancer returned in May 2008. He had a chemoembolization performed. cost was $3,000 dollars and a ct scan at $1,200 dollars. He now is getting another chemoembolization on Oct 30th. Again the cost is $3,000. Four to eight weeks after that an ultrasound and if this mass is smaller, the fine surgeon Dr. Weisse will remove it. Now I’m on disability and Tigger’s pet insurance for cancer coverage is maxed out. His medical has cost over $10,000 dollars. Im doing this for him not me. He deserves more love, kisses and belly rubs. He waited his life for me. I thank Canine Cancer Awareness for their help. So with your help with this funding this cancer can be curative. And Tigger will have more years.

Thank You,
— Kathy – Tigger’s Mom

CCA has donated $800 for Tigger’s treatment. Please also give generously to Tigger. To help sponsor Tigger’s 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 TIGGER:
11-04-08 — $100 (Donation from Susan)
11-11-08 — $100 (Donation from Paula)
11-16-08 — $50 (Donation from Sharon)
11-18-08 — $100 (Donation from Josephine)
11-25-08 — $541 (Donation from Lee — My beloved Tigger passed away on Sunday the 23rd after courageously battling cancer since July. He was my son, I will always love him dearly and my heart is empty without him. Good luck with your Tigger. Lee Stahl, NYC)
12-11-08 — $200 (Donation from Karen)
01-26-09 — $150 (Donation from all the friends who shop at Honey Bee Pets)
04-22-09 — $25 (Donation from Ellen)
05-28-09 — $100 (Donation from all supporters of Tigger at Honey Bee Pets)
01-24-10 — $50 (Donation from Sharon)

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BLAIR

UPDATE 11-08-2008—

This is to let you know that Blair went on his journey across the Rainbow Bridge on October 31, 2008.

This was a very sad day for my family. Blair was very special to us, coming from a home that he was constantly running away from to my home where he had the freedom he deserved, he gave us 5 years of his love and devotion.

Thank you CCA for your help and support.
— Susan

UPDATE 9-19-2008—

Blair came to live with us about 5 years ago after losing my first dobe. Blair is a wonderful animal, loves to “work”. When he sees his treat bag he is on call. Always willing to please me in any trick or command I give. He is a pleasure to have in my home. 2 years ago Blair was diagnosed with Lymphosarcoma and given 6 months without treatment. Treatments were started and he responded wonderfully. He is now in his 3rd round of chemo and going strong. Thank you Canine Cancer Awareness for your help in Blair’s treatments. Any further donations will be greatly appreciated. Susan and family along with Blair’s canine housemates, Baby and Panhead.

— Susan

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COCOA
1999 — 2009

UPDATE 4-7-2009—

Just a quick note to let you know Cocoa passed over the bridge to Doggie Heaven yesterday. Her cancer had come back in her front shoulder at the beginning of last month and she lost her mobility on Sunday. Her spirit was still strong and even though she couldn’t walk she still wanted to get her dog biscuit and go for a ride in the car on her last day. She is at peace now and will be romping with her old buddy Bandit, chasing squirrels and catching big snakes in Doggie Heaven.

I will fondly remember her happy-go-lucky spirit and her determination to continue normally even after one leg was removed. She was always at the door to greet me and any visitors whether she had 4 or 3 legs. She demanded people touch and pet her in her own unique way and never acted like she was missing a leg. Mostly she was good friend for 10 years. We went through some good and bad times and she always was happy through it all. Her little stump of a tail never stopped wagging. Nothing made her happier then a daily walk or a trip to the pond for SWIMMING! (Yes a 3-legged dog can swim.) A lesson for us all.

Thank you for all your kindness and support over the past year. It is most appreciated. She lived a full additional year plus some after the original diagnosis. While that seems so short to us is was another 7 full years to her. She will be missed and fondly remembered at the same time.

Cocoa 1999-2009 DRU (formerly Xena #5175) adoptee & Canine Cancer Awareness Inc benefciary
A.k.a.: Cocoa-nut, Cocoa Nuttter, Cocoa-a-Mok, Cocoa-a-Poke, Sweet Pea, Little Buddy, Stumpy, Chicken Hawk, Snake Hunter

— Nancy

UPDATE 7-13-2008—

Thank you so much for the support and for those who made a donation to date. Cocoa is now in the middle of her chemotherapy program. The oncologist is using alternating doses of doxorubicin and carboplatin, 1 every 3 weeks. Her side effects have been relatively mild compared to what they could be. She has a day of tiredness and very loose stool about 4 days after the doxorubicin and just tiredness after the carboplatin. She’s never lost her appetite though and has actually gained some weight since the amputation surgery. The oncologist says she looks good. She seems be tolerating the treatments well with the minor exception of a urinary tract infection after the last dose. She had a course of antibiotics which seemed to clear it up. Her white blood cell count was a little low this time but the Oncologist was not concerned. They repeated chest x-rays and full blood work and saw no progression of the disease. YEAH! Her mobility as a tripaw is just amazing. She is back to harassing her cat in the house and protecting the yard again. At full speed it is difficult to keep up with her. This month I hope to get her back to swimming in the local pond. It will be interesting teaching a tripaw to swim. Just say the word swimming and she runs to the hook for her collar. A lot of people are learning about canine cancer from interacting with Cocoa. My friends call her the canine “poster dog”. Thanks again for all the support it is most appreciated.

— Nancy

UPDATE 6-25-2008—

Cocoa is a rescue dog from the Doberman Rescue Organization (DRU) of New England. I adopted her as a puppy at 9 weeks old in 1999 (http://www.dru.org) She was turned over to DRU because the owner who bred the puppies to sell for profit, had problems with the litter and DUR took them in. Cocoa was not delivered properly by the owner and has had orthopedic complications in her right rear leg since birth. She has a permanently dislocated kneecap, a broken femur and misaligned hip, all on her right rear leg.

Cocoa is everyone’s sweetheart. As my friends say to meet Cocoa is to love Cocoa. No vicious Doberman here but a loyal friend and staunch defender of her yard from squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks and even snakes. Her nickname is “Cocoa-nut” as sometimes she is just silly. When we play ball, I have to use two as Cocoa feels she with the most balls wins the contest of ball collecting. The ball in the picture above, she appropriated from the kids next door for her collection.

At the beginning of March I noticed she was favoring the right front foot. The favoring became an outright limp about 2 weeks later. Thinking she may have slipped on the snow or ice I took her to my Vet. March 15th my vet x-rayed the leg and issues a preliminary diagnosis of osteosarcoma in the wrist joint. On March 21st we had consultations with the surge and oncologist. On march 28th she had a biopsy, catscan and blood work which confirmed the dreaded osteosarcoma. On April 8th she had the right front leg amputated to remove the main cancer source.

The surgery was routine and no anesthesia complications. This may have been routine for the surgeon but it has been an emotional rollercoster for us. Cocoa had a normal recovery from the surgery and was released 3 days after the surgery. After 3 days she was moving on her on, going outside and eating normal food. The big pickup from the surgery was very undramatic. After consultation with the Vet techs they brought her out. They had to tell her to slow down because once she heard the sound of my voice she kicked it into high gear. She looked unbelievably good and was alert for the whole ride home. After 1 day of helping her around with a towel swing she is moving well and learning how to live as a tripaw. She is up to running at full spend and can do full flights of stairs now. Her only problem is when running at top speed is stopping. She forgets there is one less front break than normal and has had some spectacular crashes when coming to stop. Her bouncy personally just lets her getup, shake it off and go on her way. This dog has 2 speeds; on & off. We are now commencing the Chemotherapy treatments recommended by the Oncologist.

— Nancy

UPDATE 6-12-2008— The Board of Directors of Canine Cancer Awareness, Inc. has approved $500 to help pay the costs of Cocoa’s treatments.

Please give generously. To help sponsor Cocoa’s 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 COCOA:
06-27-08 — $25 (Donation from Bee Fit Fitness Dvds)
07-03-08 — $10 (Donation from Lisa)

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MAXX

UPDATE 5-12-2008—

My dog Maxx is a 9 1/2 year old Lab/Shepherd rescue diagnosed with having a brain tumor on Valentine’s Day, 2008. I got Maxx from the pound in early 2000. I went to the West L.A. shelter and all the dogs were running up and barking, except for this quiet one hiding off in the corner. My mom had come along with me and when he saw her, he came over, gave her his paw, kissed her, and alas, I had a dog.

The brain tumor was first recognized when Maxx started to slightly cock his head at an angle. I took him to a local vet who, without even looking in the ear, called it an ear infection, gave him a steroid shot to mask the symptoms, and sent us on our way. After two more visits to the vet, as the symptoms became worse when every one of the following shots wore off, a friend sent us to another vet who told us after a thorough exam that it was indeed a brain tumor. We were then sent to an oncologist and neurologist who have been tending to Maxx’s needs. His head was at a 45 degree angle because the tumor was pressing on the part of the brain that let him see properly and he was compensating for seeing the world upside-down. He was falling over and just very sick.

Maxx was put thru three weeks of almost-daily radiation, which made him better at first, then led, toward the end of treatment, to Maxx’s getting very sick. He was losing his balance, falling over, lethargic, crying and looking and acting like he was ready to die at any given moment. The daily anesthesia, radiation, respiration and bagging to bring him back to breathing on his own after the daily anesthesia was really catching up to him. The doctor said if he didn’t start to come around real quick, he wouldn’t at all. So for several days, I watched him 24 hours a day, held him up so he could use the bathroom, hand-fed him and just did all I could to keep him going. And because he had been used to the anesthesia, he wasn’t sleeping without it, which made matters worse. The doctor prescribed some benadryl, and after a couple days of sleep, he started to improve dramatically.

He then started to use hydroxyurea, an oral chemotherapy agent under the neurologist’s care. There was the chance that he would get very sick from the treatment, which he will be taking the rest of his life, if it affected his bone marrow. A bone marrow attack could also kill him. But it was still the best chance to keep him alive for a long time and keep the cancer cells from regenerating and growing back. He has responded well to the meds and all of his symptoms are diminishing. His doctor says she is “ecstatic” as to amount of progress Maxx has made in such a short time and that many brain tumor canines do not do that well.

I have already spent over $14,000 saving my darling dog’s life. I am on disability and my mom who lives with me is a retired person with limited income. Everything I spent is on credit cards that are a hardship to pay back. Maxx will need to be on expensive chemo meds the rest of his life and have follow-up brain MRIs twice a year, as well as monthly blood screenings and neurology exams to track his progress. I am basically falling in a deeper and deeper financial hole and running out of credit to use. This dog is our life. He has brought so much joy and happiness to our lives and all I have wanted to do is be there for him and give back as much as I can. The doctors says that with all the treatment and as well as he is doing, he could have at least a couple more pain-free, happy years and I am determined to give it to him. But the monthly follow-ups and chemo prescriptions will continue to need to be paid for the rest of his life. There is only so much blood I can sell and I do need to pay for our food and shelter, with very few, if any, luxuries going with that. I would be grateful for any help I can get from people who can empathize with the situation and can spare the help. I will surely promise that when my means allow, I will pay it forward someday to someone else who needs the help. My mom and I love Maxx with all of our hearts. He has been a son to us and I will always be thankful for anyone who reaches out a hand to help save my baby boy.

Si
Maxx’s Loving Dad

To help sponsor Maxx’s treatment please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR MAXX:
06-19-08 — $200 (Donation from Susan in memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)

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SMOKEY

UPDATE 5-17-2009—

Smokey passed away last night after a strong battle with lymphoma. She left with the same grace and dignity that she possessed in life.
Thank you for taking care of her page.
— Ken

UPDATE March 2009—

I remain so very grateful for the help that my Smokey received from Canine Cancer Awarenes and also from personal donations during her chemo treatments last year. In November ‘08, Smokey came out of remission. We haven’t been to the Dr. yet due to me getting laid off. I’ve got a new job, but definitely not making the money I was, so I’m asking for help again. I was able to buy Smokey extra time last year and I believe she’s strong enough to do it again. During her remission, I “fattened her up” in case she started to lose weight. It’s the end of February now, and that’s already started, so time is running down. The lymph nodes in her groin, armpits and knees are little rocks, like last year. No swelling in her throat yet.

Smokey has a lot of brothers and sisters, most younger than her, but Smokey holds a certain amount of weight and respect in the scheme of our pack. We’d be lost without her..

Thank you for your help in advance.

Kens pack

Sadie, Smokey, Harley, BooBoo, Clancey, Tyson, Beau, Nikita, Sasha, BuhBuh and Gimley

UPDATE 4-16-2008—

Hi all. My name’s Ken, and I’d like to tell you about my 3rd furry kid, Smokey. She’s got three sisters and two brothers, and for the most part, we all get along. Smokey came into my life, June of 2003. She and her natural brothers were being given away in a bank parking lot. Her brothers were two little hellions, vying for who’d get petted first, and sitting in the back of the crate was this little black and tan little nothing, just sitting and watching me. That’s all it took (that’s all it ever takes really) and we were in my car and going home. She slept in my lap the whole way home as if she could finally relax, and when we finally got there, right into the house she ran, totally dismissing the other two dogs and layed down in front of the kitchen sink. She knew she was home.

In the five years that I’ve had her, Smokey has been a light in some pretty dark times of my life, as have all my furry kids, and they’re all special in they’re own way. But there is something about Smokey that gets me every time I look in her eyes. It’s just this intelligence that she has. She knows what I want, and that’s not much, but more than that, I know what she wants. She’s so self sufficient and totally unneedy. She loves when I love on her, but when it’s her turn in deciding that it’s time to geta belly rub, or that it’s cookie time, I’d better be paying attention.

Every other puppy that’s come into our home, is greeted by Smokey. She’s a great big sister and takes a beating as well as gives one in a wrestling match. She’s a special one. In July of ‘ 07 I got a pretty decent job and after a while was able to start getting all six they’re shots and such. In October I noticed a few lumps in her throat, kinda strange masses, but small, so I thought maybe they were a couple of cysts and let it go. December came and the lumps were larger and there were more of them. So off to the vet we went. Long story short, an asperate was done, sent to the University of Tennessee and the results were lymphoma. I was devestated at the thought of losing her. I made an appointment at UT oncology, where we dicussed the options. Finally we decided on the UW-Madison protocol.

Smokey began her chemo in February. Within 48 hours of her first treatment, all her lymph nodes were back to normal. Her visit back to UT found her in full remission. I was so relieved. And still am. So now it all came down to money. I figured I’d be able to pull it off, $200 a week. I made it ok through Feb and March, but wound up behind a week in the beginning of April. I knew I was in trouble, so I spoke to Smokey’s doctor and tried to head the problem off at the pass. Her doctor got back to me and told me that he could change her chemo treatment to less expensive drugs and she’d only have to have treatments every three weeks. I went from looking at $3000 to looking at approximately $900 total.

The money is still a chunk of change for me, but we’ll make it through. I contacted Canine Cancer Awareness looking for assistance and they have been nothing but great to me. Unfortunately, the funds weren’t available for me, so I’m looking for some help from whomever may be in a position to. Smokey is still in full remission. I enjoy every moment with her and all of my kids, as much as possible. My dog-pack family is my life. I’d do anything for them. So, come hell or high water, Smokey will get her treatments. It’d just be nice to take some of the pressure off my checking account. Keep us in your prayers, as I keep all of the other victims of this disease, furry or parent, in mine.

Thanks.
— Ken, Smokey, Sadie, Harley, BooBoo, Tyson and Clancey

To help sponsor Smokey’s treatment please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR SMOKEY:
05-27-08 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of my 2 cancer dogs, Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)
06-19-08 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of 2 great dogs, Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)
10-06-08 — $100 (Donation from debbie)

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BRISCO

UPDATE 6-4-2008—

I am beyond sory to say I had no choice but to let my baby, Brisco, go last Wednesday, May 21, 2008. I apologize for it taking me so long to even inform you of this, but I am honestly not handling his loss well @ all…And this was literally the fist time I could bring myself to actually talk to anyone, or even write to you about it. I also apologize for not updating you sooner on his deteriorating condition, but everything happened so fast. I had no time for anything but taking care of Brisco and doing literally EVERYTHING I could to keep him alive. Let me begin by saying Brisco Juliano was euthanized May 21, @ the mere age of 3years, 6months, and 1 day old. I feel as though I have literally lost my child. I wish I had the time to have updated you as Brisco’s cancer took a turn for the worse. I feel bad in that the last time I informed Canine Cancer Awareness of Brisco’s battle w/ Lymphoma he was, in fact, responding extremely well. My last entry spoke of a study @ the remarkable University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital in which Brisco had been admitted. The study focused on otherwise healthy dogs who were diagnosed with Lymphoma and Penn’s develpoment of a “cancer vaccine” that would potentially recognize the cancer anywhere in the body and fight it off. My initial description of “Brisco’s Story” explained the study in detail. Basically though Brisco had to undergo a 5-drug protocal of chemotherapy treatments for a total of 20 weeks and if @ the end of 20 weeks he was determined to be in remission, he would’ve then been administered 2 of the “cancer vaccines” which would’ve then, hopefully, kept the Lymphoma in remission.

Beginning the study, Brisco’s enlarged lymph nodes decreased in size almost immediately and he responded very well to each chemo drug each week…that is, until week 11. It was @ that point he stopped responding to the treatments. My oncologist, Dr. Wiley, was amazing. She knew as well as the enire oncoloy staff how much Brisco meant to me and that I was willing to try EVERY other possibilities to save his life. Most importantly, without Canine Cancer Awareness’ donation to Brisco’s cancer treatment I would have not been able to afford any of the other options after week 11, and for that you have my deepest gratitude.

Dr. Wiley informed us that due to his lack of progrress that he was no longer a canidate for the study but if I was willing we could try what she called “first rescue attempt” which was an alternative chemotherpy treatment that consisted of a drug which she gave him intraveanously @ hospital and pills which I was to give him @ home. She said that he may have been more likely to have more g.i. side-effects than before, but she agreed it was worth a shot. A week later, we returned for blood work and a re-examination and was then informed Brisco was not responding. Long story short, after my insistance upon the “third and final rescue attempt” and us again being told he was not responding, we were then told there was literally nothing left to do but keep him as comfortable as possible and watch closely for signs he was beginning to suffer. We did, however, continuen treating him with steroids.

We took Brisco to Penn’s Veterinary Hospital every Tuesday @ 9:30 am. It was Tuesday May 20th that my baby was, in fact, showing all the signs the Dr. had told me to watch for and had been for close to a week. He was supposed to get blood work done but as soon as his nurse looked at poor Brisco in the lobby, she called for Dr. Wiley to come down and confirm what she thought, that there was no need for bloodwork that day because it was time.

I was hysterical! I don’t know how I could ever truly explain to anyone just how much I truly loved Brisco and didn’t feel as though I could live without him. They were ready to put Brisco to sleep that day. I begged Dr. Wiley to please let me have one more night with him @ home. She agreed as long as I promised to bring him back for the procedure the next day b/c it was truly time and he really was suffering.

The next day, the condition in which he died was traumatic for me on top of the overwhelming smack of reality that this was really going to happen. Mom went in first to check us in. She met up with the head nurse, Amy in the lobby. I had gotten Brisco out of the car, but he was struggling to walk so Amy went to get a gurney. When she & I went to lift my 90 pound baby, my bad knee that I had broken gave out on me and I nearly dropped him. Amy then said, “Wait a Minute! I’m not sure if he’s breathing !..” and rushed him back in the emergency room where Dr. Wiley was waiting. I nervously paced the waiting area as mom and I cried hysterically. They came and got me and I chose to go in alone. They had revived Brisco so that I could be there with him when he passed. I was directly in front of my baby as he lay there sedated on the table and I petted him, and hugged him, and kissed him, and told him how much I loved him. Then he was gone.They brought Brisco into a room where we had previously discussed I could have as much time as I needed to say good-bye. Mom went in to say good-bye to her grand-dog first and we were then joined by Dr. Wiley, Amy, and two other nurses who had all grown to know and love Brisco over our months and months of going there. Dr. Wiley put Brisco’s paw in clay and made a paw impression and carved in his name with hearts. It was a plaque that I baked in the oven to harden. I took off the blanket they had put on Brisco and covered my baby with his favorite Care Bear fleece blanky that I began carrying him in @ only 6 weeks old. After everyone left and I was alone with Brisco I picked him up and held him in my lap and cried my heart out! That dog was my heart, and even now a full week later the pain of his loss is no less. Today I returned back home from my Mother’s house because it had been too hard to be in my house w/o him.

I admitt I am not handling his loss well at all. I raised Brisco as though he were a human baby. He was the most sweet and gentle and loving dog I’ve ever known…but to me, he was like my child. I am planning on attending a pet-loss support group meeting @ The University of Penn Vet Hospital in a couple weeks. I spoke over the phone with the Pet Bereavement Services counselor and shared that I know I would eventually like to get another dog to help occupy my mind off the focus of the hurt and grief of losing Brisco. She told me she could tell by how upset I was that it was not a good idea to get a new dog just now, b/c I am not ready. I have to allow myself the time to heal over the loss of Brisco, which I honestly don’t know if I can ever really do. In the meantime, I am doing as much as I can to memorialize Brisco. I chose to have him cremated along with his favorite Care Bear fleece blanky, pics of us together, ect… I haven’t received his ashes back yet,…Who knows? Maybe it the pain will get a bit easier when I know my baby, Brisco, is back home with me.

UPDATE 4-22-2008—

Thank you so much. I am so grateful people actually made a donation. I wish to thank them. I didn’t get a chance to get on the computer yesterday because Brisco was having some side effects from a new chemo medicine he’s on. We went today to the University of Pennsylvania to see his oncologist, Dr. Wiley, and although the cancer is aggressive, she does see a definite response from the medicine. He received chemotherapy today and is doing great. He’s a fighter!

Thank You again,
Krissy & Brisco

UPDATE 3-20-2008—

I was born in DE and attended college in North Carolina. I got Brisco from friends in Greensboro, NC, at only 6 weeks old. I immediately fell head over heels in love with him. He was the first dog who was mine and mine only. He was also the first thing in my life that I received true unconditional love from. Pitbull’s already have such a bad rap, I wanted to ensure my he was well-behaved, so I put Brisco through 3 dog training courses. I also raised Brisco like a human baby, which I must admitt I regret a little because he is truly SPOILED ROTTEN!! On any given day, I will have ran him at the park, taken him for a long walk, played with his favorite stuffed animals, given him treats and a bone, and finally when I am ready to sit down and watch some TV, he starts to cry. Brisco’s cry is the saddest, hi-pitch cry you would ever hear from a full-grown male dog. Then I think what could he possibly want now? He jumps up in my lap just like a little baby and all he wants is to be held!

Brisco and I lived happily in North Carolina for almost the first 3 years of his life. At a very young age, I started taking Brisco to the “bark park,” a large, fenced in park where dogs are legally allowed to be off their leashes and can run and play with other dogs. It was important to me that Brisco socialized with other dogs and was well-behaved around them. He also loves children. Brisco grew rapidly and was very muscular. You can imagine the looks I got from people at the park when they seen a big pitbull coming in, however within 5 minutes people realized Brisco was nothing but a big baby. As large as he was Brisco is very submissive with other dogs, especially smaller ones. He would roll on his back and let other dogs jump all over him. Everyone got a kick out of that!

We lived in a big house in the country with an acre of land which was also across from an elementary school. On a daily basis, children in the neighborhood would knock on my door and ask, “Can Brisco come out and play?” There was also many other dogs in our neighborhood whom Brisco loved to play with, especially his girlfriend Eva, a blue pitbull and his buddy Snowbell, an all white chiuwawa. I have to say Brisco and I lived a very happy and fullfilling life in Greensboro, that is, until tragedy struck.

In 2004, I was in a head on car collision in which I broke both my legs, 7 ribs, collapsed my left lung, and broke my tailbone. I spent nearly 4 months in a wheelchair. With all my family over 8 hours away, I had to depend on friends to help me literally do anything. It is unfortunate that it sometimes takes a tragedy for a person to find out who their real friends are. Out of all the friends I had before the accident nearly no one showed up to help take care of me, or even just keep me company. There was only one friend who never left my side, my best friend, Brisco. At that point Brisco was my only family. Unable to work, my bills began to pile up and I was denied medical assistance time and time again through the state of NC. At times, I sunk into such a deep depression, I don’t know what I would have done without the unconditional love and devotion of my dog, and it was knowing that he needed me to get better to take care of him that drove me to be strong and make it through it. Unable to even afford physical therapy, I literally taught myself to walk all over again. My car was obviously totalled, so with the lack of transportation and the fact that I was still dealing with a lot of pain, I made the decision to move back home to be with my family. There I was also able to get the financial and physical assistance I so desperately needed.

About a month before Brisco and I moved home, my mother had lost one of her cats who was hit by a car, and in the same week had to make the heartbreaking decision to put down our family dog of 14 years, an English Springer Spaniel named Buster. Buster had cancer which had rapidly spread internally and had a mass in both his lungs and stomach. At that point mom had to consider his quality of life. Although Buster had lived an amazingly great life, she knew he could no longer go on dealing with that pain. I could only imagine how hard it was for her because Buster was her baby, just as Brisco is mine. Needless to say, bringing Brisco back home helped bring back some much needed joy in my family’s life.

As I earlier stated I somewhat regretted spoiling Brisco the way I did, which I am embarassed to admitt also included giving him all the people food you could imagine! I knew he was getting fat but to me he was still my teeny-tiny baby. My younger sister, who is in medical school, hadn’t seen Brisco in person probably since he was about 10 months old. At Thanksgiving dinner she remarked on just how fat he had gotten and really gave me a hard time saying that if I did not stop feeding him people food I would kill him! She scared me so much that I made an appointment the very next day at our local vet to devise a diet plan for my fat boy. Weighing in a whopping 90 pounds and only 2 months away from his 3 year old birthday, I realized I had to stop! The vet suggested I swith to a prescription low-calorie dog food, increase the amount of exercise, and most importantly STOP FEEDING HIM ALL PEOPLE FOOD!! Upon doing a physical exam of Brisco, that is when the vet felt something that concerned her. She told me not to panic but she felt some lymph nodes that seemed somewhat enlarged, although it was difficult to be sure with him having that extra fat on him. She told me she wanted to do an aspirate of his lymph nodes to be sure everything was okay. I was worried but I knew it very well could have just been because he was fat. When the test results came back I was devastated to find out Brisco did, in fact, have Lymphoma! I immediately began to cry thinking the absolute worst…that my baby would die!

I desperately began to research this disease which only seemed to prove more depressing. Canine Lymphoma is an aggressive disease of malignant lymph nodes. Cancer, in general, is the leading cause of death in companion animals. It has been estimated that almost half of the animals that live 10 years or longer will die of cancer. And it is unknown what the exact cause of cancer is. With Lymphoma, tumors sometimes form primarily in lymph tissues, such as lymph nodes. Because lymphoma is a systemic disease, systemic treatment with chemotherapy is recommended. 70-80% of dogs initially respond to chemotherapy treatment, but the initial response is not durable and 80-90% of all treated patients eventually relapse, and tumors re-grow and eventually become resistant to treatment. Survival times are, on average, around one year. After reading this information my heart sank. I could not bear the thought that I might lose my best friend and at the mere age of three. It seemed there was no hope, that is, until my other vet provided me with a fax of information he received on very new and cutting-edge study that was being performed at the University of Pennsyvania Veterinary Hospital, one of the most prestigous Hospitals in the US.

Once I read about the study, a sense of hope returned. The University of Penn is conducting an trial whose purpose is to assess the potential benefits and side effects of using a novel type of immunotherpay treatment (a cancer “vaccine”) in addition to standard chemotherpay. The vaccine is designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer anywhere in the body. Their hope is to prolong the duration of time in which the patient is free of disease and to increase the percentage of long term lymphoma surviors. Upon reading this information I immediately called Penn to see if Brisco met the requirements of the study, which god-willing, he did.

We took Brisco the next day to the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital to have his initial staging process done, which included another lymph node aspirate, bloodwork, a bone marrow aspirate among a bunch of other tests to determine exactly what type of Lymphoma Brisco had. He was diagnosed as having Stage 4; Substage A. Stage 4 refers to generalized lymph node involvement with liver or spleen involvement. Substage A means a dog who is not sick, who shows no clinical signs. In other words, other than being diagnosed with Lymphoma, Brisco otherwise appears and acts perfectly healthy. This initial staging process was approximately $1000.00. Thankfully Brisco met all the requirements to participaite in the study. They kept Brisco at Penn overnight and the next day he was prepared for surgery. They removed a portion of one of his lymph nodes in the back of his right leg. To my understanding, they take that lymph node and combine it with antibiodies and RNA and that is essentially what the “cancer vaccine” is made up of. They harvest the vaccine in the lab for the course of his treatment.

To participate in the study, owners are responsible for the costs of the diagnostic staging prior to treatment, costs of chemotherapy (a standard 20-week protocal), and costs of follow-up staging and visits. The chemotherapy treatment itself is comprised of 5 different chemotherapy drugs. We were told the total cost of everything would be near $6000.00! Benefits to the owners include free lymph node biopsy, free manufacture and administration of the vaccine, and complete blood counts following the administration of the vaccine, and the potential benefit of longer term survival. However, Brisco has to make it through the full 20 weeks of chemotherapy before he actually receives the cancer “vaccine.” Both my vet, as well as, our amazing oncoligist at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Jennnifer Wiley, admitted that it was very rare for a dog as young as Brisco to get Lymphoma, yet it was for that same reason they truly believed he has a fighting chance.

I finally had a sense of hope instilled back in me, although there was only one obstacle that stood in our way. How could I afford $6000.00?! With having recently moved, I was still no where near financially stable. Even though I graduated college cum laude, once Brisco was diagnosed I literally took the very first job I could get. However, my mother was having to help pay my bills as well as cover hers. It was one of the saddest feelings to think that there is this option that may help save my dog’s life, but that I couldn’t afford it. I was not going to let that happen and was determined to find a way to make Brisco’s treatment possible. We began chemotherapy treatment at Penn and each week we had to decide which bill we would not pay in order to afford the next week of treatment. Everyday we prayed and worried about how we would continue to afford the treatment he so desperately needed to live. I began doing more research and found out that there are certain groups that provide financial assistance to owners of pets who animals are sick or injured who can not afford the necessary treatment. The one organization I found that appeared to be the most reputable and seemed applicable to Brisco’s case in particular was a group called Canine Cancer Awareness. I had filled out their apllication and explained in detail Brisco’s story. After submitting it, all I could do was hope and pray. In the meantime, Brisco was responding very well to the chemotherapy. It was difficult each day just to go to work and leave Brisco alone in fear he may get sick or have a bad side-effect to the chemo while I was gone, however, I needed to work to make his treatment possible. One could only imagine my surprise and dismay when I went into work one Thursday evening to find out I had been laid off!

Needless to say, I was beyond devastated and depressed, especially considering that my single mother was now soley paying for everything and struggling. I immediately began to look for another job, but in the meantime, I also took advantage to spend all the time I could with Brisco. One morning we were on our way out the door to go the park when I was overwhelmed with an urge to check my e-mail. When I saw that I had received a response regarding my application for financial assistane from Canine Cancer Awareness, I opened the e-mail and was elated to find out that they made a decision and agreed to make an $1,100 donation to help towards the cost of Brisco’s treatment! I was so happy I began to cry. The fact that strangers still can show such compassion and care is amazing. This donation could not literally have come at a more needed time as well. I can not thank this organization enough for their donation. Specific thanks goes out to the treasurer, Linda Peluso, as well as the Board of Directors. They have truly helped to save my baby, Brisco’s, life! Canine Cancer Awareness will forever hold a special place in out hearts! Also, once I do get back on my feet financially, this is an organization I would love to donate to myself! Once again, THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
— Kristina & Brisco

The CCA Board of Directors has voted to contribute $1100 to Brisco’s cancer treatment.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR BRISCO:
04-14-08 — $50 (Donation from Critters Galore)
04-19-08 — $25 (Donation from Patricia)
04-22-08 — $50 (Donation from Mr. and Mrs. William L.)
05-27-08 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog.)

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BOXX aka. GOOFY
My Service Dog

UPDATE 4-1-2008—

Where do I, start describing this wonderful dog; I first encountered BOXX when he was six months of age. I rescued him from a rat-infested basement. His previous owner moved into a house where the owner did accept dogs but when he saw, he was a Rottweiler he refused to allow him in the apartment. A friend of mine knew I had lost my other Service Dog and knew I loved Rottweilers, so he called me and told me about BOXX. I practically flew to where he told me to go when I arrived the owner was there and when they let him out, he went crazy running in circles, he was that happy to be out. It was love at first sight! He has been with me and is my Service Dog for seven years now, in which, he has literally saved my life three times. Twice, he kept me from slipping into insulin shock, and once, from breaking my neck or fracturing my skull, in a fall in the bathroom. On January, I noticed he was limping one night and I thought he may have hurt himself playing (for he “LOVES” his toys), but knowing about he breed an alarm went off in my head. I tried to shake it off. The next night, he presented a large lump on his wrist and it was “hard.” I was hoping it was just a fracture or sprain. I called the vet, and made an appointment. To my dismay it was what I had been dreading. It was Osteosarcoma! We arranged for him to have surgery. In the interim, we tried to see if he was a candidate for limb sparing, unfortunately, he was not. He was to have s urgery on February 25, 2008. The vet had given medications for pain and we were waiting for the due date, when a week before, his paw became the size of a grapefruit. I called the vet, told him about it and prescribed Lasix thinking it may be water retention. I noticed that, the medication was not affecting the problem, and he was not urinating, as he should have been. I called and told the vet I was taking him off the medication. Wonderful doctor that he is, he decided to re-schedule the surgery for February 18, 2008.

On February 18, I took BOXX and dropped him off with my heart breaking and grieving, due to the fact, that he was losing his leg. We were all worried for he is a “BIG BOY,” he weighed 143lbs. We did not know how he would manage being a “tri-pod.” It turned out that the swelling was the beginning of gangrene. Well, I am glad to say he is bouncing back and being his “GOOFY” self. He started his Chemo sessions, on March 3, 2008. He goes back on April 4, 2008. There is only one problem to date…he is to smart for his own good. He has connected the fact that getting into the car means going to the vet. He REFUSES to get in on his own! He is like a mule, he squats, there is no moving him, only means to get him in the car is picking him up, and I am not that strong so getting someone to help me get him in the car is very hard. This has been an experience of a lifetime. HOWEVER, he is worth it and much more!

— Martha

The CCA Board of Directors has voted to contribute $950 to Boxx’s cancer treatment. To help sponsor Boxx’s treatment please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR BOXX:
06-19-08 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog, both lost to cancer)
09-10-08 — $10 (In memory of Mauli)
09-22-08 — $10 (Donation from Wendy)

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PETEY

UPDATE 6-2-2008— We are sorry to learn that Petey passed away on May 6th. Megan has generously donated the remaining funds to CCA sponsored dogs fighting this disease.

UPDATE 2-19-2008—

We weren’t looking for a dog. Did I WANT a dog? Absolutely! My life isn’t complete without one! But we had moved down to Florida only 6 months prior, we were renting a home that didn’t allow pets, we were trying to buy our own home and I was 4 months pregnant.

It was March 17, 2001, St Patrick’s Day, and my husband, my 3 year old daughter and my pregnant self walked through the mall. The ASPCA was there that day with some of their shelter dogs. I always go to see the pups when they are there and whine to the hubby about bringing one home. This time a particular pup caught my husband’s eye. He was a three month old white and tan shepherd mix and the last of his litter left at the shelter they were born in. He was a white fluff ball with HUGE ears that stood up on his head. My husband and daughter played with him for a few minutes and then I drug them away with tears in my eyes. That always happens when I’m around the shelter dogs….and the pregnancy hormones didn’t help. Then my husband said to me ‘I want that dog.’ I shook my head and replied ‘Don’t do this to me….you know we can’t have one at our place….you know I would take home ANY of those dogs if I could.’ He just restated ‘I want THAT dog.’ We stood for a moment looking at each other and I suggested we walk to the food court, eat some lunch and really discuss it. We decided over lunch that if he was still there when we went back, he was meant to be ours and we would take him home. As I’m sure you’ve assumed, he was still there….and we did, indeed, take him home. He has been my constant companion ever since, laying across my tummy throughout my pregnancy, licking and loving my son the day we brought him home, protecting our home and our family ferociously when the need arises, licking the daylights out of those he loves.

Living in Florida was horrible for him. We fought skin infections and flea allergies. There were periods of time when he had chewed off all the hair on his tail and hind end. He was a trooper through it all, never taking his discomfort out on any of the family members, bearing with us while we bathed him weekly with medicated shampoos and took him to the vet for skin scrapings and the like. I had a feeling if we had lived somewhere less humid than Florida we could better battle his skin allergies….and I was right. We moved to Pennsylvania 9 months ago and he has not had one skin problem since. All of the hair has grown back thick and beautiful and he has nary an itch! It was like a miracle!

The last week of January I noticed Petey was holding his left ear sort of funny….and even caught him digging at it a bit. I checked it out and didn’t see any tell tale signs of ear mites but did see some waxy buildup and thought he might have the start of an ear infection. I cleaned it out and he seemed happier. By the end of the week he was digging again and I decided to take him into the vet on Monday, as Saturday hours are generally saved for ‘emergencies.’ When I woke up on Saturday my husband commented ‘You know, Pete’s lymph nodes are kinda swollen….I think he has an infection.’ I called the vet and they told me to bring him in. This was February 2nd, 2008. When they weighed him at THIS vet (a different one than where he got his vaccinations) I took notice that it seemed he lost weight, but chalked it up to a different scale and more exercise. The vet checked him over and told me that she didn’t find evidence of an ear infection. He was most likely holding his ear funny because the size of his swollen lymph nodes was making him uncomfortable. In fact, she said, those weren’t the only lymph nodes that were swollen. She had me feel his others….then explained what she thought was going on. She told me she was worried that it might be lymphoma. She couldn’t say for certain without the proper tests, but she said that the weight loss I had described, along with the swollen nodes was enough for her to worry. We went ahead and did the aspirate. I got the call on February 4th that it was, in fact, lymphoma. ‘Good news, though’ she told me, ‘This type of cancer responds very well to chemotherapy.’ Not good news for me, as I knew we couldn’t afford it. We were/are living with my parents since we moved up from Florida, still unable to get our own place, trying to use the time to pay off debts and trying to keep our heads above water. We had some savings, but my husband lost the job he had gotten when we first moved here and the month he was out of work ate up all of our savings. I am still trying to replenish some of it. I began researching online that very day. Looking for organizations that could help out with the costs. I got the same answer at every turn ‘We regret to inform you, due to lack of funds…..’

That is where we are right now. We cannot afford the chemo for Petey and so we have opted to the less costly treatment of Prednisone. It will only buy him a few extra months. The vet is saying he may have 6-7 months left. We have changed his food, as well, to a low carb, moderate protein diet. The research I’ve done indicates that it can slow the process of the cancer. These are the only things I can do to help my boy….and even these things are financially taxing. The vet recommended he have blood work done….we cannot afford it, so in reality, we don’t know just how bad his cancer really is.

I cannot let him go without a fight. I WILL not let him go without a fight.
I will not send him gently into that good night…..not right now….it’s not his time.
Please….we desperately need your help!
Help save my boy, Petey!

~Megan~

To help sponsor Petey’s treatment please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR PETEY:
02-27-08 — $10 (Donation from nicole)
02-27-08 — $20 (Donation from Nicki)
05-27-08 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog.)

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POOCHIE

UPDATE 1-30-2008—

Two years ago I saw a picture of a little black dog on an internet pet rescue site. She had been found on a potato farm and was a matted ball of fur. To my friends she looked like an “ugly street dog,” but I fell in love with her. I paid her rescue fee, bathed her, got her a haircut and took her to the vet. I was told she was about two years old. Poochie has been the greatest pet and friend that anyone could ever want. She is so special to me. Recently I noticed some bumps on her stomach. The bunps were getting bigger and one burst open. I took her to the vet and he told me that these were breast tumors and most likely cancer. I took Poochie for a second opinion and this vet agreed and said that Poochie needs surgery and as soon as possible. The cancer can spread rapidly and the open cancer site on the one breast can get infected. She gave me antibiotics. Please help to save my Poochie’s life. I am working part time and going to college, and need your financial support. Thank you.

—Megan
Orlando, Florida

UPDATE 4-08-2008—Thank you so very much!!!! Poochie is doing great. She is running around and playing like a puppy again. Right now we are on a wait and see if the surgery was 100% successful. We are hoping that she will not need more surgery, but it is too soon to tell.
Thanks again.
—Megan

The CCA Board of Directors has committed an amount of $300.00 in order to help pay the costs of Poochie’s cancer treatments. To help sponsor Poochie’s treatment please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR POOCHIE:
9-6-08 — $50 (Donation from Rhea in memory of my angel Poochie)

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ROSA

UPDATE 10-04-2008—

Yesterday, Friday Oct. 3rd we had to put Rosa down… Her Lymphoma came back with avenges and she let me know it was time to let go. We are devastated to say the least. She was such a wonderful dog. “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch Rosa Lee” we will miss you beyond belief… Go get the ball in the yard in heaven………………………

UPDATE 1-15-2008—

Our beloved Schnauzer was diagnosed with Lymphoma August 2007. This is our story.

When Rosa came into our lives my son was 6 years old. We have always rescued our dogs and Rosa is no exception. She was given to us from a local pet store when she was 4 months old. We were passing by and a woman with a small child asked us to take a look at Rosa. She told us that she visited the pet shop daily and that Rosa was an exceptional animal and could not understand why someone hadn’t bought her. The owner explained that she was there for almost 3 months and they were willing to let her go to a good home for free. Needless to say we took her. That evening the Pet Store that she had called home for last 3 months burnt down. They had a devastating fire and lost all the little lives inside. We were so lucky to have saved Rosa. I feel this woman was an angel and there to rescue Rosa. It’s been 12 years and Rosa is our Angel. She has been there for my son and me through the death of my Mom recently and the loss of our home in 1999. She has prevailed. We adopted a 10 year old fox terrier 5 years ago so that Rosa could have a “Fur Sibling” … Dixie is now going on 15 yrs. I have been struggling with thyroid disease for 3 years and my medical bills have been out of control. I have exhausted my savings for chemo for Rosa which has put her in remission… I am hoping that we can continue treatment… I have not been able to work due to my illness and am hoping for a miracle… Thank you for taking the time to read Rosa’s story…

UPDATE 4-21-2008— I am so very appreciative of this donation. How can I thank them? Rosa is due for her chemo on Wednesday and for now she is doing good. Everyday is a blessing. Again, I can’t thank you enough for your concern and donations.
— Marla

The CCA Board of Directors has voted to contribute $500 to Rosa’s treatment.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR ROSA:
04-21-08 — $50 (Donation from Mr. and Mrs. William L.)

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BUDDY

UPDATE 12-14-2007 —

Buddy, my 5-year-old basset hound, has only been with me for a year and a half. I knew when I went to meet him that I would take him home and spoil him rotten – and how could I not with a face like that? His story just broke my heart. He was a victim of abuse but with much patience and kindness, he grew into a happy waggling tailed basset. Buddy went for a routine vet visit and received a good bill of health. Just a couple of months later, Buddy was not acting himself. It started with excessive drinking, constant thirst, and lack of appetite. After several blood tests, an x-ray, and two ultrasounds later, he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

My vet gave me all of my options, and I decided to go for chemotherapy treatments. I can happily report that not only did he respond well to it, but he has not been sick with the treatments at all! He is back to being my Buddy – back to sniffing, mooching, and breaking into the refrigerator! I do not know how long this will last, but I am grateful for the times he greets me at the door, or those times when he nudges my hand for some attention. Buddy is a fighter, and I will continue to fight for him.

— Kristin

The Board of Directors has voted to contribute $500 towards Buddy’s treatment. To help sponsor Buddy’s recovery please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR BUDDY:
12-30-07 — $100 (Donation from Susan. In memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)

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SNICKERS

UPDATE 5-7-2008 —

It has now been 6 months since Snickers completed her radiation treatments. I am thrilled to report that she has fully recovered from the ordeal. She is now back to running full throttle in the woods and fields and playing with her buddies. I admit that I still get worried when she licks the site where the tumor was, but our last visit to the radiation oncologist was very positive.

I am so grateful to Canine Cancer Awareness for all the support, both emotionally and financially. With your support, the bills are paid and I would like to donate the left over money to someone else in need. It is the least I can do for giving Snickers a second chance!!

— Katie

UPDATE 1-20-2008 —

When last I wrote in mid December, Snickers was struggling with continued pain and skin break down of her right lower leg where she had radiation for a soft tissue sarcoma (nerve sheath tumor). It is now 2 1 months since the completion of the radiation, and while the leg still bothers her, and her licking prevents it from totally healing, it is now less frequent that she requires a dressing or medication stronger than Rimadyl. The skin seems much more sensitive in general, as if it has some sort of nerve sensitivity. I have to admit, that I have wondered more than once if I made the right choice of treatment, but I am feeling better as things look up.

Overall, she is doing really well, and it is great to see the spark back in her eyes, or to see her running full out after a squirrel or in a game of chase with her buddy Pockets. We seem to be having more good days than bad recently. I know we are not out of the woods yet, and it is terrifying every time she is back to three legs or I see a surprise area of swelling. Maybe I will always worry, even after the two year mark, which is supposedly when we will be able to say that the radiation was a success.

Again, many thanks to Canine Cancer for their support and for allowing me to tell Snickers story. I am grateful for any donations, as the bills keep mounting, but I also have learned so much in reading about other families’ struggles and the deep love and commitment that they also have for their dogs.

— Katie

UPDATE 12-15-2007 —

Snickers completed her month of radiation treatments at the end of October. She did very well, and the side effects did not start till the last week of treatment. It was a rough three weeks after the treatments because the skin on her lower leg blistered and broke down, and her hair came out. It was VERY painful and the dressing changes were a terrible stress on her. Things improved over time, and just when we thought we were beyond the worst, she developed swelling on the outside of the same paw, the last week of November. I was terrified about what it could mean, and the vet performed a needle aspiration. They said basically it was just scar tissue, but then the sight became infected, swelled, and then developed an ulcer (partly b/c she licked it). It was causing her much more pain than we or the vet thought it should, so they put her under, took X-rays and sent off a better sample for culture. Now, she is back on antibiotics and pain meds again. Fortunately, there was no infection in the bone. It is just starting to look a bit better, but she is still not feeling great. We are hoping that by Christmas, she will be feeling much better. Thank you all so much again, and include Snickers in your Prayers and thoughts.

UPDATE 10-18-2007 —

This is a picture of my sweet angel Snickers. She was named even before she became a part of our family. I had asked my youngest daughter what she would name a dog if we were to get one. She immediately said “Snickers”. What she did not know was that Santa was going to bring her older sister and her a puppy for Christmas. I looked at many ads in the paper and she was at the first place I went to. It was filthy, the yard was full of dog waste, and so many dogs. I looked around and there she was. . . she and her sister were the only 2 of their kind, and they both approached the fence, both eight week old balls of fur, all bright eyed and happy in spite of their circumstances. It was her eyes that I was drawn to. How coincidental that she looked like a Snickers bar, dark chocolate and rich brown caramel.

On Christmas morning 2001, screams could be heard in the neighborhood at the crack of dawn as the girls were sent on a scavenger hunt planned by Santa. At the end, there was Snickers in big red bow. . .

She is a rottweiler/husky mix; she has the color of a rotti, the stamina and energy of the husky, and the intelligence of both. She is too smart for her own good — she opens doors, gates, and the snack drawer, and generally thinks she is human. And oh, she also thinks she is a lap dog- all 85 pounds of her. She loves to chase anything that moves, to explore in the woods, and play in the snow. She is very maternal; our guinea pig Eddee would sit between her front paws while grazing outside, and she kept watch the whole time. She loves babies, children, puppies, and most of all, her best friend, Pockets, a lab mix whom she has grown up with.

She was diagnosed with cancer (nerve sheath/soft tissue sarcoma) of the lower left back leg a few months before her 6th birthday. Three needle aspirations later, they thought it was benign, but because of the location, it needed to be removed. The call from the surgeon was a complete shock; it was CANCER, and they could not get clean margins because on the lower leg, there is not enough tissue. This type of tumor is contiguous with the the tendon sheath at a cellular level, so we had big trouble. They said it is a locally aggressive tumor that will surely grow back in the next 4-6 months. The best options were amputation or radiation. I was torn, but the radiation oncologist said there was an 85% chance of at least a 5-year survival. Amputation was cheaper, but the thought of taking her leg just did not sit right. I am familiar with fighting for my health, as I have multiple sclerosis. I was told 14 years ago when I was diagnosed, that in 5 years, I would be in a wheelchair. I started fighting right then and there, and I know Snickers has the same fight in her that I have. Lately, she is my Velcro dog, my shadow, but she is doing well with radiation. She has finished 10 of 19 treatments, and she has been so brave… I dread the side effects that they say will start any time now, but we are going to hang in there together.

The cost of treatment is going to be about $6000 for radiation, and I already paid $2000 for removal of the tumor. I talked to my 2 daughters when this happened, and we agreed to forgo birthdays and Christmas, and other gift giving for the next year or whatever it takes, so that we could treat Snickers. Still, things are going to be very tight. I support them on my disability check, and they both have jobs after school. Child support would have been nice, but their father said my falling embarrassed him, and he did not bargain for a wife with MS. I would never give up on Snickers the way some wanted to give up on me.

I am so grateful to The Canine Cancer Foundation for their $1000 to help offset the high cost of treatment. Snickers is worth it and every bit helps. I don’t yet know how I will pay all the bills, but I have faith that it will work out. I am too stubborn to give up and so is she.

— Katie

UPDATE 09-30-2007 — At a recent board meeting $1000 was allocated to Snickers for continued cancer treatments.

To help sponsor Snickers’ recovery please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR SNICKERS:
10-27-07 — $50 (Donation from Mary Lou B.)
10-30-07 — $500 (Donation from Carolyn, Anne, and Nancy)
11-05-07 — $100 (Donation from Helen F.)
12-30-07 — $100 (Donation from Susan. In memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)
01-21-08— $30 (Secret Santa Sponsor Gift)
03-05-08— $50 (Donation from Amy)

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AMERICAS

UPDATE 4-27-2009 —

Hello Dear Friends at CCA,

Americas is doing WONDERFUL! Coming up on her 2 year mark as a tripod! Here is a little something — wish I could do more. Please use it for whatever beloved pup needs it the most or where you see fit.

In Honor of Americas.

— Kim

UPDATE 12-07-2007 —

Thanks for asking about us!! We are fine and Americas has come along just beautifully!! She is back to her goofy, silly wonderful self! She hobbles along quite nicely and her hair grew back curly where they had to shave it! I have so much and I have so much to be thankful for. Sure, I have debt, but who doesn’t? I have a home, a family and a million earthly possessions, good health and a country that I’m free in. I have my sweet precious dogs and I daughter that I’d die for. I so appreciate the time and all of your efforts for my application and consideration and feel honored that you picked Americas and I won’t forget it. I am SLOWLY but surely working on a brochure for CCA to raise awareness and hopefully lots of funds! I have gained some w onderful friends through CCA that I truly cherish and I am thrilled to have gotten to know and share our stories with each other. Through our wonderful dogs, we have become friends and our friendships are growing and that is so special to me! Merry Christmas and Thank you for everything!
With love and gratitude,
Kim and Americas

UPDATE 10-14-2007 —

Americas is our sweet and extremely goofy Springer Spaniel/Lab mix puppy. Although she is not a puppy anymore, as she is turning 6 this November, but I always tell her she is Mommy’s puppy. Ohhh!!! Where to start with her story! I’ve especially wanted to write a book about her after reading Marley and Me, Life and Love With The World’s Worst Dog, by John Grogan. I though Marley had nothin on Americas—SHE was the world’s worst dog. For those of you that have read the book, you may know a little of what I’m talking about. Regardless, only I could love Americas threw her journey in life and so it began. I’ll give you the short version. My daughter came to me and said they were selling puppies in front of Walmart and she picked one out and told them she’d be back with her Mama. I said “No way!” Well, of course I just had to go at least look at them, didn’t I? So there they were, 13 little 8 week old puppies in a cardboard box, cold and no blankets to keep them warm, just the plump fat of one another. There was the puppy that they had on “hold” for my daughter and I said, “I don’t want that one, I want this one!” I handed over $50.00 and the nightmare began. We decided to name her Americas ( should be spelled Americus ) from the movie, Where The Heart Is, she is the Walmart Baby.

Keep in mind, this is the short version. After hundreds and hundreds of dollars just the first year of vet visits, probably thousands of dollars in damage caused by my cute little puppy, I had had it. I posted up “Free Dog” posters at our local dog shelter. I was broken and absolutely torn, not to mention exhausted from her. However, I wrote up a four page requirement letter that if she was indeed to be adopted they must pass my strictest test. I knew no one would ever pass, therefore I could never adopt her out. Oh well, I tried. I also knew in my heart that NO ONE could ever love this dog like I could. No one could ever understand the special love she needed. She was special and needed patient and unconditional love. She had faults but her attributes truly over-ruled them. Americas is high spirited, full of boundless energy! She is just a happy dog and happy to be alive. She is one goofy, silly dog and she knows it. She enjoys life and enjoys making people and her sister, Lady Dog, happy. Now that she has finally outgrown most of her mischief, she is truly enjoyed by most!! But, for myself, she is my favorite and she knows it. I can’t help it. I love her with everything I have. She is my best bud, my counselor, my comedian, my shoulder to cry on and laugh on. She loves me unconditionally and has only judge me lately, when I have not brought her to work with me and gives me those oh, sad eyes. She talks with her own little voice and lets you know what she wants, whether it be a cookie, a back rub, play time, night time or just some lovin time, she will let you know. She has a fetish with always having something in her mouth, in the fall she helps herself to several apples a day from one of three apple trees in our backyard and usually carries just one in her mouth all day, until she decides to go ahead and eat it. She has many “babies” that she carries around also and many stuffed animals that don’t usually last more than a day, as she loves to shred them to pieces. She often carries just a head or a leg or one of her babies, it’s just something. Many of her pictures she has something in her mouth, I think it’s kinda like her sassy or binky.

Early this summer she began to limp-again-had done it before a year to two back but her vet didn’t know what the problem was. She just limped. Then it started to get really bad and she was in definite pain. After several x-rays, he still couldn’t find the problem. As I looked at the x-rays with him and I saw no masses, I said, “At least it’s not cancer.” I would find out later I was wrong. After more tests, then an MRI, a Nerve Sheath Tumor was found in her upper right shoulder. I had to decide to put her down or amputate. Just the thought of not having my sweet Americas not by my side made my heart ache like it had not ever felt before. I just couldn’t do it. I type in NST and to my pleasant surprise I have gained knowledge and support and friendship from Canine Cancer Awareness. I met people that were crazy. Crazy in love with their dogs like I was!! I was not alone and felt relief and comfort knowing that people cared and knew what I was going through. I am forever grateful. After a team of wonderful vets, surgeons, neurologist, and specialists, I decided to have Americas’s right shoulder and leg amputated. The first 1 1/2 weeks was horrible and I doubted myself and regretted what I did to this beautiful being. She was is pain and was so sad. Then, she came back with her silly, goofy, WONDERFUL self and I couldn’t be happier. She is still the same awesome dog that she was, just now with 3 legs. It has not held her back and she continues to love life to its fullest. She has taught me to be more patient and compassionate. To look at life more simply. She enjoys the simplest things in life that God has given us. We just need to take the time to enjoy them. During her recuperation, I spent many many hours loving and watching her every breath. I’d watch her lay under the apple tree, grab an apple or baby, lay down and wag her tail. Just laying there, she’d watch the birds, bees and bugs fly by and she’d be so happy. I’d call out to her and say, “Americas, Mommy loves you” and she’d wag her tail even more and say, “I know, I love you too.” I am a better person for having Americas in my life. I truly feel that God sent her and not the other puppy to me to teach me many lessons in life. That is another story in itself. She enriches my life and others around her. Her gentle and silly nature are unforgettable to those who meet her and I’m happy that she has blessed those as well. Americas is not my whole life, but she does make my life whole.

— Kim

UPDATE 09-30-2007 — At a recent board meeting $1000 was allocated to Americas for continued chemo treatments.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR AMERICAS:

10-15-2007 — $25 (Donation from Patricia)
10-21-2007 — $20 (Donation from Rosalind)
10-28-2007 — $25 (Donation from Angelica — In memory of Gunny) 12-15-2007 — $25 (Donation from Patricia)
12-30-2007 — $100 (Donation from Susan — In memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)

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KYLIE

UPDATE 04-21-2008 —

We’re very sorry to report that Kylie lost her battle in December. We can’t thank you enough for your generous donations. The remaining funds will go to dogs who are still fighting the battle.

Thanks for all your help.
— Jennifer

UPDATE 10-06-2007 —

My pride and joy, Kylie, is a 5 year old Great Dane. Ever since I was little, I was fascinated with Great Danes, and when I was 15 I saved up enough money and convinced my mom to let me get one of these beautiful creatures. I searched and searched, and finally fell in love with the runt of a litter, my puppy. I took an entire summer to train her, and she is by far the best dog I have ever had. She is the most sweetest, docile animal I have ever been around. Even though she’s afraid of everything, you would never guess it at first glance. She’ll “guard the yard” but the minute you walk up to her she turns into the sweet and gentle giant that she is. She accompanied me to numerous fundraising events, wearing a saddle bag to collect donations for a local shelter that I volunteer at. She loves being around the kids and people and quickly becomes the favorite animal of the fair. Once I moved to Pittsburgh for college, she remained with my mom for the first year. It was the hardest thing to leave her behind, but I had to get settled into the college life. I just recently brought her into my home in April, and I couldn’t have been happier. However, the beginning of July Kylie took a turn for the worst. The veterinarian confirmed my worst suspicions: Kylie was diagnosed with stage V lymphosarcoma. Since I couldn’t bare to just let nature takes its course, I started her on chemotherapy on July 10, 2007. In just two short sessions, Kylie did a total 180. She is much happier, eating all her food and then some more, playing with her “brothers and sisters” (three cats), and is just overall in a much better mood. While this is a tough road to follow as a college student, I can tell that I made the right choice. Kylie’s quality of life has improved so much that you cannot even tell that anything was wrong. She will be receiving chemotherapy over the next several months, and will hopefully continue on this recovery road for a long time.

UPDATE 08-31-2007 — At a recent board meeting $1000 was allocated to Kylie for chemo treatments.

To help sponsor Kylie’s recovery please give generously:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR KYLIE:

12-18-2007 — $50 (Donation from Kent, Abby, and Suzie in memory of Sandy)
12-30-2007 — $100 (Donation from Susan. In memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)

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COLBY

UPDATE 08-31-2007 —

I would like for you to meet my baby boy. His name is Colby. Also known as “Bubba”…”Colby Dawg”…”Fuzzy Butt”…”Puppy Dawg.” He’s my boy! I decided that my kitty (Toby) needed a friend; so, I adopted Colby, as a puppy, from the SPCA six years ago.

We have been through sooooooo much in six years. A few years ago, I woke up and my house was burning down around me. When I was crawling out of the house, I saw where the fire was. I went outside…took a deep breath, and went back in for my boys. Colby was hiding under the bed; I scooped him up and carried him to safety. I didn’t know I was that strong! (Toby was already outside and safe.) Only after the fire, did I find out that my roommate didn’t have insurance…and so we lost everything. We bounced back though! We moved in with a friend, saved up…and went house hunting. I bought my house specifically for Colby. It had a big backyard for him to run and play. He’s my child, I wanted him to have the best life and be the happiest pup around!

On January 17, 2007…we lost our Toby to kidney disease. I think that Colby was saddened by the loss of his brother/friend. A couple of months later, I got a kitten…hoping that it would cheer him up. Not even thinking that it might not be sadness that is making Colby act differently…not thinking that there could be something wrong with him.

It was in mid-June that I noticed Colby’s breathing change. Something in my gut said for me to get him to the doctor immediately. So I did. He was originally diagnosed with pneumonia, sent home with meds…and again, that inner voice said “that’s not the right diagnosis.” So we went back the following day, and they attempted to drain his lungs of the fluid that was showing up on the x-rays. However, there was no fluid in his lungs. She ran an ultrasound, and saw a tumor…the size of his heart…on his heart.

Off to the specialist we go.

On January 21, 2007, our lives changed. After a two hour drive to Tampa, waiting 6 hours for all the tests to be conducted, and $2,000 later…I found out that Colby was diagnosed with Lymphoma. The oncologist told me that without treatment, my angel would only live a few weeks. With treatment, six months…max. I left Tampa , devastated. Colby always rides shotgun. I kept looking over at him…his little wrap around his front leg…not knowing how I was going to do this. Terrified. How could I make this trip to Tampa each week and keep my job? There’s no way my boss would let me do this. How in the world could I afford it? I can’t. As I looked at his crystal blue eyes…I knew I had no choice. He has always been there for me. There was no way that I would ever give up on him. I really feel as if he has taken care of me through the years…now it’s my turn to do whatever it takes.

I immediately started searching the internet for options. Trying to soak in all information about Lymphoma, about the diagnosis, what to feed him, what to watch for…you name it. Word spread about Colby’s condition. A friend of mine told me about a vet (one mile from my house) that administered chemo. What a relief?!?! After just two weeks, the tumor was gone. But that was a long two weeks. The prednisone was making his breathing worse than before. Colby was very lethargic, I thought for sure that he wouldn’t respond to the chemo (that’s what Tampa told me). But he did! He is!

Financially…that’s a different story. The bills are mounting. I think about it constantly. T hank God that I found Canine Cancer Awareness. Through their gracious donation to Colby’s Cause, his next few vet appointments are taken care of.

Colby and I are fighting everyday. Each week when we leave the vet’s office. I look over at my little man and tell him “NOT today, and NOT without a fight.”

UPDATE 08-31-2007 — At a recent board meeting $1000 was allocated to Colby for his chemo treatments.

To help sponsor Colby so that he can continue to receive life saving treatments:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR COLBY:

09-07-2007 — $200 (Donation from Kristie)
09-07-2007 — $50 (Donation from Shauna)
09-08-2007 — $100 (Donation from Cheryl)
09-13-2007 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of Sherlock and Tinker)

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NEMISSA

UPDATE 06-25-2007 — Nemissa’s Story

Nemissa is an 8 1/2 year old lab with Maxillary Osteosarcoma. Nemissa’s name came from a book of North American Myths and Legends. Nemissa was a Star Maiden. I was in my third year of college; a friend of mine took me to pick out a puppy after I lost my black-lab mix. He wanted me to have a yellow lab like the lab he adored as a child. So we drove to a house where there were two female yellow lab pups left out of a litter. I chose the smaller of the two after she stole the food bowl away from her sister and carried it around in her mouth. I knew then that she would fit perfectly into my and my roommate’s menagerie. Nemissa was a 10-week-old, 20 lb butterball with legs. Her favorite toys were tennis balls, of course, and she had a rock collection until she was almost a year old. She made every journey home during the college’s breaks that I made. Nemissa can always bring a smile to your face, greeting everyone with a stuffed animal. She gave up tennis balls a few years back after her younger brother Mack (a yellow lab mix) grew large enough to steal them. These days she is content to de-flea her favorite stuffed animals, nap, eat and occasionally hunt for frogs and toads. She is now the President of our menagerie, she supervises all activities including, yard-work, house cleaning and her brother’s outdoor play. She has been the steadiest thing in my life for the past 8 1/2 years.

UPDATE 06-24-2007 — At a board meeting $1000 was allocated to Nemissa for her remaining chemo treatments.

To help sponsor Nemissa so that she can continue to receive life saving treatments:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR NEMISSA:

08-02-2007 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of Sherlock and Tinker)

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LILLY

UPDATE 09-25-2007 — Just wanted to give you a quick Lilly update. She’s doing great. The doctor said she’s beat all the odds and he’s very happy with her latest blood work. I took her in after returning from a trip because she wasn’t coming down the stairs to greet me and my friend told me she didn’t leave the bedroom all weekend. I was terrified that she was getting sick. We go a full work up to see if she stopped responding to chemo and it turned it out her results were stellar. She was just depressed that I was gone !
Thank you all so much!
— Tanya

UPDATE 06-28-2007 — I found Lilly full of scabies and close to death in Brooklyn 6 years ago when she was about 6 months old. She was terrified, shivering, and hungry. I took her home and let her sit behind the toilet for weeks till she was ready to come out and look around. I hand fed her because she was too shy to eat on her own, and bathed her every day with medicated shampoo till the scabies were gone. They thought she would never have fur again. We showed them, didn’t we?

When I felt some lumps under Lilly’s chin in November, I thought it was a cold or a virus. We made an appointment for the following week and when the vet felt her, he urged me to get a biopsy right away. I told him I was waiting for pet insurance to become active, but he stressed how important it was to catch this right away if it was cancer. So in a haze, I said go ahead. They started chemo right away. The insurance now considers this a pre-existing condition, so none of the cost can be offset … not even the visits or the weekly blood work.

She’s happy, playful, and has an appetite that won’t quit. Unlike most girls, she doesn’t at all mind getting on the scale every week at the vet’s office.

UPDATE 06-24-2007 — At a board meeting $1500 was allocated to Lilly for her remaining chemo treatments.

UPDATE from Lilly’s vet 05-08-2007 — Lilly has been diagnosed with lymphoma. She has been receiving chemo since 11-14-2006 and is doing very well. Lilly is currently on a regiment of Cytosar, Methatrexate, and Oncovin. She is currently being treated with chemo every other week. The costs are approximately $400-$500 monthly. We cannot be sure of how many treatments Lilly will need as she is doing great now. Lilly does have lymphoma and every patient with this disease responds differently to treatment. We don’t know how long she will be in remission.

To help sponsor Lilly so that she can continue to receive life saving treatments:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR LILLY:

07-06-07 — $25 (Donation from Donchak Group)
08-02-07 — $100 (Donation from Susan in memory of Sherlock and Tinker)
10-26-07 — $50 (Donation from Lynda)

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LUCCI

Sunrise 06-04-1999

Sunset 09-29-2007

I put Lucci to rest on Saturday morning at 8:00 am. She was having problems breathing and I did not want her to go into respiratory arrest. She played ball for the last time on Friday then I took her home for her favorite dinner, Solid Gold Green Tripe. I thank God for all of the extra time I had with her. She lasted through four remissions for 19 months and one day. She was a fighter, she had courage and she loved life. She will be missed so deeply that I haven’t even begun to grieve. I want to thank everyone who contributed to her life. Pam and Linda at Canine Cancer Awareness, her vet Dr. Atwater and his caring staff, and the people I never met who were touched by her and contributed to her expenses: Susan, Nancy, Tina, Lucille, Janice, Angel Sierra and more. I have never felt more blessed than when we started this journey. It brought me a feeling of connectedness, hope and a belief in the hereafter. She is being cremated with her favorite squeaky ball and I know we will meet again at the rainbow bridge. Give your fur baby an extra hug today for Lucci.

—Love, Mona

UPDATE 08-06-2007 — Today I took Lucci to school to play ball. She is slowing down a lot, but still perks up when I mention going to play ball. She is still alive 17 months after diagnosis thanks to you. Thank you for your help. I read about the dogs losing their battle with cancer and I know that Lucci’s day is coming, but we just aren’t accepting it yet. My heart goes out to the owners who have lost a beloved member of their family.

—Mona

UPDATE 05-21-2007 — Lucci had two treatments of Mitroxintrone with little good result. Expensive. The vet gave her an Elspar shot last Wednesday and started her on Leukeron every day. He said the average time to live is two months. She is also on daily prednisone of 10 mg. We are running out of options, as she is becoming chemo resistant. One thing I can say that is positive is that she is a fighter. We went to the park Sunday and she is still so excited to play with the ball. I would like to ask for your help again. I met a lady in the pet store Saturday and she said there are bone marrow transplants available. She is supposed to e-mail me with the info. The last two months have put me back about $1800, and the tax man is threatening me. Please help!

—Mona

UPDATE 03-29-2007 — Lucci is rebounding after being in the dumps for about a month. I took her to Dr. Atwater a couple of times and of course she put on her game face, playing ball etc. She was breathing funny and I thought we were near the end but as of the last ccnu treatment (March 20) she is acting more frisky to me too. My neighbor said she is mad at me because I had to take her in to have two teeth roots removed and it hurt her. Maybe so . . . Anyway we have passed the year mark, we are in our third remission and she is doing better. I just wanted you to know . . .

—Mona

UPDATE 02-15-2007 — Just wanted to let you know that I think Lucci is in her third remission. The swellings have gone down, and she is still tired a lot, but she is rebounding. I will verify it with Dr. Atwater next week but the ccnu appears to be working. She is on antibiotics and I think she had a low grade infection. She is also on prednisone daily and that is making her need to leave p-mails, so we get up a few times per night. It also seems to make her hyper at night where she wants to play and I want to sleep! She lost a tooth last night when I gave her the “pill sandwich” in whole grain bread. That was surprising because she was just at the doggie dentist three months ago. I’ll have the doc check it out next week. Love and Valentine’s wishes from us.

—Mona

UPDATE 01-30-2007 — During the past two weeks, Lucci has been tiring easily and last week her lymph glands started swelling again. Today was her chemo day and Dr. Atwater said we need to try some new drugs, vinblastin and cnu? So please send prayers up that this works for a while longer, ok? Her second remission was as long as her first, which is a miracle. I just need a few more.

—Mona

UPDATE 12-17-2006 — I was thinking today that it has been nine months since Lucci was diagnosed with lymphoma and I thought everything was over. She is responding to the chemo with fewer side effects now than at the beginning. Dr. Atwater says she will be on chemo for the rest of her life (may it last for YEARS) and since it is close to Christmas I can pray for a miracle. Part of my miracle has been answered. I am not alone in caring for her. I have received the help I needed when I needed it, thanks to CanineCancerAwareness.org. The other miracle I am asking for is more days like today, when I took Lucci down to the schoolyard to throw the ball and she kept barking at me to continue playing when I thought she needed a rest. She is sleeping now and we are having chemo tomorrow. I want a miracle treatment. I want research. I want a bone marrow transplant. I want a cure, for people and animals. This is my Christmas wish to God.

—Mona

UPDATE 10-31-2006 — Thank you for keeping Lucci up front. She now has a urinary tract infection so last week’s bill alone was $459 . . . Hopefully she’ll be feeling better in the next couple of days. She is always so up at the vets, Dr. Atwater said you can’t tell she is sick. I think people just think I shave her funny on all her legs and tummy. I am so grateful for all the help. Are there any new/promising treatments out there? I love Lucci and want her to live her normal lifespan. I have been praying a lot and thanking God for giving her to me. It is amazing to me that total strangers are helping me with this fight, but as I told a friend newly diagnosed with breast cancer, people change when you are diagnosed. Some people support you and some need to ignore the problem. I love all of you that do not ignore the problem! All of my love and prayers to you,

— Mona

UPDATE 10-27-2006 — I need to thank you for stepping up to help care for Lucci. Your additional support ($900) really made a big difference. I also want to thank the strangers that have helped her, everyone of you is an angel. When this first started, I thought we were up the proverbial creek. I was not making enough money to treat her, but I went on faith that I could, even though I did not really have it (the faith or the money). Everyone who sees her says she does not look sick and they can’t believe she is. People have asked why I am expending the money and energy to treat a dying dog and I tell them, she is not dying she is living thanks to people like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

— Mona

UPDATE 10-11-2006 — Lucci is going through her chemo and I need to come up with $646 plus her treatment tomorrow (approximately $250). The vet has decided to do chemo every two weeks. Luckily I applied for a new credit card and I can get ther treatment tomorrow. I would like to thank those who have helped but it is hard to reach you (there is no e-mail address on most pages).

You can reach CCA at
info@caninecancerawareness.org.

I have some people from Ladies Workout Express who are interested in helping but feel uncomfortable going online. Is there a way you oculd post your address so people can send checks?
You can mail a check to:

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

Lucci is doing well most days but has had some harrowing sick days from the chemo. I purchased a carpet cleaner and am looking for a sliding glass dog door that will fit in 5 1 ft. I am so scared at night when she is lying next to me panting, it is hard to watch a loved one hurting. In short, I vacillate between high anxiety and a calm acceptance of life as we know it. The vet says she is doing well. I am thankful for the extra time we have together. Can we find a cure?

— Mona

UPDATE 08-30-2006 — We are sad to report that Lucci has fallen out of remission from Lymphoma. More aggressive treatment will be started with the COP Protocol. Lucci will need your support to fight this latest challenge. Please donate generously for Lucci’s treatments below!

Lucci is a 7 year old Welsh Pembroke Corgi diagnosed with Lymphoma on March 7th, 2006. Lucci’s owner has been struggling with the costs of Lucci’s treatments and is now to the point where she can no longer afford them. Here is her story:

Lucci is my “hysterectomy baby”. She is what you might call my “heart” dog. I had endometriosis and thyroid cancer so at age 40 I gave up the dream of someday being a mother. Instead I met Lucci through the internet. I was putting in an ad for my sister’s shelties when I saw the ad for welsh corgis. I fell in love with her picture and contacted her owner. I did not have any money and no car but the owner said I could have her on a payment plan. I rented a care and went to retrieve her. The owner said that Lucci was the favored pick of the litter even though she was small. She was so precious!

She refused to stay in the dog carrier and barked until I let her out. Then she sat on my lap, looked out the window, and went to sleep on my lap. Since that first day I have been in love. She was with me through another bout of cancer, she was stolen from me in 2000 (I got her back after 3 1/2 months and I call it my “Lost Dog Diet” because I lost 20 pounds).

She is popular with all the local kids as well as anyone who meets her (human or canine) along the canal trail. She “shares” her bones and toys with me. I took her into the vet in November 2005 because she was acting quiet and licking her rear end and paws excessively. After over $250 worth of tests, they told me everything was fine.

She went into heat President’s Day weekend and I noticed there was a swelling in her neck and through it was salivary glands. On the 26th of February, I took her to a vaccination clinic and asked the vet there whether swellings in both areas were normal. She said yes. I did not bring her into the vet for a week after that because I though I was overreacting. On March 6, I called another vet. He said she had lymphoadenosis and he thought it was Lymphoma. I did not process it. I told him she ate stuff along the canal trail and I thought it was an infection. I had him prescribe Clavamox and promised him I would call if she didn’t respond. I got on the internet that night and learned she could die within 4 weeks if I did not start treatment. The next day I took her in for the needle biopsy and Wednesday I learned she had Lymphoma.

I took from my rent money to diagnose her and from my car payment to treat her. I want the best for her but whatever you can do to help my “heart dog”, I will be grateful for. I thought last week I had no reason to live if she died, and I was sure God hated me. I lost it. Since then I have thought maybe this is God’s way of testing my faith in him and others. Please help me.

UPDATE 05-17-2006 — At a board meeting held on this date, $600 was allocated to Lucci for her remaining chemo treatments. Lucci will continue to need to be checked for her status and it is possible that further treatment may be needed.

UPDATE 10-19-2006 — The CCA board voted to allocate $900 for Lucci’s chemotherapy treatments.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR LUCCI:

05-20-2006 — $100 (In Memory of Sherlock & Tinker)
05-21-2006 — $50 (From Angel Sierra)
05-28-2006 — $25
09-17-2006 — $50 (Donation from Kodiak v. Kinderbaron)
11-15-2006 — $250 (Donation from Nancy in Memory of Rusty)
12-06-2006 — $50 (Donation from Lucille)
12-27-2006 — $10 (Donation from Janice)
04-21-2007 — $100 (Donation from Susan in Memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)
07-30-2007 — $100 (Donation from Tina in Memory of Casie Moran)

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BIG DADDY

UPDATE 11-13-2006 — Poem from Big Daddy:

I am not yet six years old
I am small, loving, and bold
I want to play and have fun
My life has just begun

I’m sitting here by her side
There are tears in each eye
My ‘mom’ is crying
For I am dying

I’m everything to her you see
To all her friends and family
Your kindness has given hope
Bought time, and a way to cope

Thank you,

Big Daddy

Letter from Big Daddy’s Mom:

The shocking news that my five year old pom had cancer devastated me. I could not afford treatment.

Big Daddy brings joy to the elderly in my building. He is also my grandaughter’s pet. Her mom and brother are allergic.

The competent caring people at the clinic found your website. Your organization’s donation to my loyal, loving constant companion’s treatments have given us more time together. He is in remission.

To all the kind, compassionate and generous people who care and help others to be happy, please accept my grateful and appreciative, thank you!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity. Your organization is very helpful, to all of us.

I have given Big Daddy a hug for you and rubbed his tummy as you requested.

Take care,

— Josie (Big Daddy’s Mom)

UPDATE 9-30-2006 — I live alone. Big Daddy is such a comfort to me, being a loving loyal companion. He is quiet, contented, and is liked by staff and residents in my apartment building.

My grandchildren’s mother is allergic to dogs. They enjoy petting and playing with him, as he is still very active.

My charge card balance is from the new medical treatment being given to my precious dog and my health insurance payments.

I can no longer continue my health insurance and give Big Daddy the care he deserves without financial assistance.

I appreciate, and will always be grateful for any financial aid you can find in your hearts to help me keep Big Daddy as long as possible.

Thank you,

— Josie

UPDATE from Big Daddy’s Vet — Big Daddy is a 5 year old Pomeranian living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Big Daddy has been diagnosed with a type of cancer called lymphoma. This is a systemic disease that is affecting lymph nodes throughout his body. Because it is a systemic disease, lymphoma is treated with systemic chemotherapy. Our most effective chemotherapy treatment protocol consists of five different chemotherapy drugs (L-asparaginase, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone) given weekly for 12 weeks, and then every other week for 12 more weeks. Each of the chemotherapy drugs is effective for treating lymphoma. By using the drugs in combination, we achieve better tumor control, less drug resistance, and longer remissions. Chemotherapy drugs work by tar4geting fast-growing cells and cancer cells divide faster than normal cells. Because of this, chemotherapy preferentially destroys cancer and spares normal tissues. There is a potential for some normal tissues with rapid growth rates (intestinal lining, bone marrow) to be damaged by chemotherapy. There is always some risk when a drug is given for the first time, and we will talk with you each week about what types of side effects may develop and what you should watch for. If Big Daddy has no problems the first time he receives a drug, he should have no problems with subsequent treatments of that drug. If he experiences any side effects, we can address them as needed and lower the dose of the causative drug for future treatments to prevent recurrent problems.

In general, dogs receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma enjoy a very good quality of life and can participate in all of their normal activities. With our chemotherapy protocol, 80-90% of dogs achieve complete remission and we hope to control Big Daddy’s disease for approximately 12-16 months.

Unfortunately such aggressive chemotherapy is quite expensive, costing roughly $5000 for the first 6 months of treatment. Therefore, if finances are a concern, we can discuss alternative protocols that are less intensive, although somewhat less efficacious. These protocol options include doxorubicin alone or in combination with cytoxan (median remission 6 months, $400-500/month), COP (median remission 4-6 months, $1000 for the first month and then $200-300/month), oral CCNU with prednisone (median remission 4-6 months, $200-300/month), or prednisone alone (median remission 2-3 months, $20/month).

UPDATE 10-19-2006 — The CCA board voted to allocate $2000 for Big Daddy’s chemotherapy treatments.

Please help this owner with your generous donation. It would be greatly appreciated.

To Donate to Big Daddy:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR BIG DADDY:

11-13-2006 — $100 (A gift from Danica)
12-09-2006 — $100 (A gift from Susan)

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PEPSI

UPDATE 7-16-2007 — We’re sorry to report that Pepsi passed away on July 16, 2007. Our sympathies are with his family during this difficult time.

UPDATE 6-20-2007 — Pepsi is still going strong! A few ups and downs along the way; but the last vet visit was a positive one … Pepsi is still in remission; as of May!! His nodes seem to be getting a big larger; so we are not out of the woods by any means; but we are trying to stay positive and FOCUSED on doing as much as we can to give him the best quality of life we can. If you notice in his picture; Pepsi has (had) a black tri colored face. Poor guy — his face has now turned gray from the treatments. At the tender age of just turning 5; he looks like our “little old man.” How cancer has aged him! You wouldn’t know it however, in his “zest for life.” He loves chasing the birds outside; running with the kids as they play ball. He is truly a brave little soul and is certainly earning the phrase “LIVING with cancer!!”

Thank you to so many of you for you encouragement, prayers and financial support. We TRULY could not have done this without you!! Having been laid off in November; your support is more valuable now, than ever. Thank you for considering a pledge to us; or to Canine Cancer Awareness.

— Tara

UPDATE 11-27-2006 — Pepsi had a setback several weeks ago…he developed a blood infection and was admitted with a 105′ fever. He was hospitalized for 3 days and was unable to receive his chemo treatment. However last week…we had wonderful news for Pepsi. We are so thrilled to let you know that at Pepsi’s last appointment his diagnosis was upgraded to “Stage IIIA B-Cell Lymphoma – Complete Remission”!!

Pepsi still has several more rounds of Chemotherapy to go; and will then start 1/2 body radiation treatments. It is a long road…but one that we are so optimistic to be on. At this time of year, with so much to be thankful for, we are so very grateful to Canine Cancer Awareness, and the many caring and supportive people who have helped to give Pepsi a fighting chance. My husband, our children, and myself thank you all…

Sincerely,
Tara Salamone

UPDATE 10-21-2006 — Pepsi is a 4 year old tri-color Sheltie from New York. Here’s an update from Pepsi’s family:

My name is Tara Salamone. While I would love to say that I’m Pepsi’s “Mom,” actually . . . I’m “Grandma.” Alaina, my 10 year old daughter, picked him out of the litter, when she was 6 years old. She picked out Pepsi, as he was the tiniest of the litter. Even his breeder, gave him the name, “Mighty Mouse.” He certainly earned that title, as he has always been so spunky, and full of zest. “Pepsi” was a very deserving name.

While Alaina did much of the “mommy care” at home, feeding, playing, brushing his hair, taking him for walks — “Grandma” became enthusiastically involved in Agility. At the age of 1, Pepsi competed in his first agility trial, bringing home a first place ribbon! After that he and Grandma were “hooked” . . . and were almost always gone to a trial during the summer. This summer, due to loss of work, we had to take a few months off.

Recently, we decided to start taking agility classes again. Just about the time of filling out the paperwork, we noticed lumps on the side of his neck. We took Pepsi to the veterinarian. I still feel like since that moment, we have been in a dream. A very BAD dream. A lymph node aspirate confirmed our worse fears. CANCER. A trip to Cornell gave us even more bad news . . . without treatment the average time from diagnoses to . . . death . . . was 30 days. DAYS. There was no hesitation . . . no “choice” in the matter. We aren’t ready to say goodbye to our dear family member. Pepsi is only 4 years old!!

Chemo therapy started the very next day. Each week now, we will travel to Cornell on Tuesdays for Chemotherapy, and then after the 8 weeks of chemotherapy, Radiation treatments. So far, we have incurred $1,647 in treatments; and the total cost will be over $5000 for this first round.

For us, Cornell is about 3 hours away from our home. But Pepsi is worth it. Alaina says that Pepsi is going to be a “Miracle Dog”. We sure hope so!

Thank you so much for helping us work to see that Miracle come true.

— Tara, Alaina, and Pepsi

UPDATE 10-19-2006 — The CCA board voted to allocate $2000 for Pepsi’s chemotherapy treatments.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR PEPSI:

10-31-2006 — $50 (A gift from Pam)
12-09-2006 — $100 (A gift from Susan)
01-05-2007 — $25 (A gift from a fellow DOTCRNY member)
01-14-2007 — $10 (A gift from Ada)

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CHLOE

UPDATE 11-20-2006 — As of 11-20-2006, Chloe is doing fine and is still in remission. She needs three more chemotherapy treatments 11-30-2006, 12-07-2006, and 12-21-2006. We are afraid to stop her treatments and may fallout of remission. My wife and I would really want to finish her treaments, but financially have fallen short. Since moving to Las Vegas four months ago nothing has gone right for us. So we decided to move back to Hawaii a few days after Chloe’s last treatments. We are asking for Canine Cancer Awareness or anyone to help Chloe with her last three treatments. We would like to take her back to Hawaii were she grew up and were she will live the rest of her life. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for keeping her with us.

Sincerely,
Len and Patricia

UPDATE 11-01-2006 — I would like to update you on Chloe’s chemotherapy treatments. She is doing fine and is still in remission. Her next treatment will be on 11-09-2006. She will need 5 more chemotherapy treatment up until 12-21-2006. I’m asking with all my heart , if the Canine Cancer Awareness community could possible help Chloe financially with her remaining treatments.

Sincerely,

Leonard Antonio

UPDATE 09-27-2006 — Chloe is a four year old Red Doberman Pinscher who was born on 07-21-2002, and arrived to us at 10 weeks old from Australia. Since she was a puppy, not only had Chloe been active, but she was also very alert, a quick learner, and very loving. At seven months old, Chloe competed in her first dog show and surprised us by winning at such a young age. Eventually, with more training and diligence, Chloe became an American Champion show dog at twelve months old. She has numerous Best of Breed winnings and a Best in Show in Hawaii. She is considered by AKC the first foreign born Doberman Pinscher to be an American Champion in conformation.

On 08-24-2006, Chloe was diagnosed with stage IIIa Lymphoblastic Lymphoma by Dr. Andrew Vaughn, an Oncologist with the Las Vegas Veterinary Referral Center. It all started on 08-19-2006 when I noticed that Chloe’s lymph nodes were swollen under her neck and chest. On 08-21-2006, I brought Chloe in to her veterinarian who did testing on her lymph nodes and informed me that she would get the results the following day. The vet called the next day informing me of news that I was dreading. She told me that Chloe had a good chance of having cancer, and immediately referred us to a specialist that same week.

My wife and I cried for days, our family was devastated. We knew one day that Chloe would eventually pass on, but never in a million years did we expect her to fall victim to cancer, especially so early in her life. It was assumed we had many more years to enjoy her as a member of our family. What saddens us most is that Chloe had her first litter over a year ago on 09-15-2005, producing five beautiful babies. We kept a female from her litter and placed the other four with good loving homes. Who would have thought a year later she would be diagnosed with cancer.

We moved to Las Vegas, Nevada from Hawaii in August 2006. We are getting ourselves settled, as well as Chloe her daughter Isabelle, and our other female Doberman Ava who have adjusted to their new living conditions and environment. Since the move, we’ve had to deal with a lot of stressors; not only with Chloe’s condition, but also with the finances. We are trying to do as much as possible to help Chloe, but we did not foresee how emotionally taxing, as well as costly her treatments would be. My wife and I are torn between the balance of prolonging Chloe’s treatments, and setting aside some of the savings that our children will undoubtedly need as we have started a new school year. We have already spent most of our savings on Chloe’s cancer treatments and medications. I am currently employed, but keeping my options open in hoping to find employment that is more lucrative, and my wife is currently seeking employment as well.

Chloe has had five chemotherapy treatments with the most recent being on 9-28-2006, and will continue to need treatments up until 12-21-2006. She will need treatments every week with the third week designated for rest.  Chloe is doing remarkably well and had gone into a strong remission after her fourth treatment.

Since moving to Nevada, Chloe has retired from the show ring and enjoys home life with her favorite toys and bones. She loves to lie on her favorite spot on the couch and chew on her bone until she falls asleep. Chloe has far exceeded our expectations as a pet. We love and adore her with all of our hearts. We pray that she can be one of the lucky cancer survivors who will live a full life. We wish to continue to bring the same joy and happiness into her life as she has to ours. Today Chloe is happy and active, and has endured the treatment process like a true champion. My wife and I will continue Chloe’s medical protocol as advised by her Oncologist, and we will do what we must to ensure that she has the quality of life that she deserves.

We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Canine Cancer Awareness Organization for their generous donation that helped finance a fraction of Chloe’s treatments. You have helped immensely, we are forever grateful.

To assist in offsetting expenses incurred for Chloe’s treatments, we are accepting monetary donations, any amount is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Leonard and Patricia Antonio

UPDATE 09-21-2006 — The CCA board voted to allocate $1000 for Chloe’s chemotherapy treatments.

Please help this owner with your generous donation. It would be greatly appreciated.

To Donate to Chloe:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR CHLOE:

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HOLLI

UPDATE 11-12-2006 — First of all, I want to thank those who have made a donation in Holli’s name. You have no idea how much this means to us both in our fight.

September was a rough month for Holli and me. In early September Holli was scheduled for 5 radiation treatments. The goal was to control her tumor for anywhere from 2 to 6 months. After only 3 treatments Holli began to show serious side effects. While the radiation did kill the tumor, while “dying” the dead tumor cells overwhelmed Holli’s system. She was running a fever, had low blood pressure and weakness. She was hospitalized for 2 days. Less than a week later, Holli was again hospitalized for the same problem. This time she stayed one day. Then almost two weeks later, Holli again had the same symptoms, but this time she was only in the hospital over night. Each time they treated her for shock, giving her fluids and an artificial blood product. She quickly rebounded each time. Her last hospitalization was at the end of September. At that time we also switched some of Holli1s maintenance medications. The cost of Holli’s hospitalization was about $1000/day. This was my mortgage, plus some. I did get a foreclosure notice that month, but was able to scrape up enough to put that off for the time being. Once Holli was home she was back to normal, running around the yard, doing everything she normally would do.

During October the tumor began to die, presumably due to the radiation treatments. This time the tumor opened up and became an oozing wound. More and more of the tumor continued to die. Holli was put on antibiotics to keep infection away and I washed and bandaged the wound twice daily. Just recently I switched to once daily bandaging. It does not appear there is too much more tissue dying, but the wound is now, while still open, healthy red looking.

Meanwhile my oncologist has found an experimental drug that has shown promise in people and actually in another dog with the same cancer as Holli. At one time there was a proposed study for dogs with this cancer and for this drug, but the study never happened. We were able to find a generic version of the drug through a Canadian pharmacy. The cost of the drug for a 20-30 day supply is about $800. This is not out of the realm of the other chemo drugs that we had used in the past. I will again be borrowing from my mortgage fund and hoping to find the money to make it up when needed. The ongoing cost of this drug is going to be a hardship since Holli will have to be on it for about 6 months if it works. I have ordered the first supply of the drug and hope to start it by the end of the week.

Keep Holli in your thoughts for a successful outcome.

— Kay

UPDATE 09-06-2006 — Holli did have treatment with MOPP but there was no response. We began to look into other treatments and anti-angiogensis drugs looked promising. We got in touch with the leading expert on mast cell tumors who also conducted a study with an anti-angiogenesis drug in dogs with mast cell cancer. This drug is very promising but the trials are over and the drug is not yet available, but is in the approval process. There is a human equivalent which is basically the same drug. A dog needs to be on this drug for 3-4 weeks to see if there is any response and if there is, then they need to stay on the drug for 6 months. We were able to located this drug but a month’s supply is about $7,000. This places it out of reach for just about everyone – human or dog….

Radiation treatment was the next choice. This would be to reduce and control the tumor. The control could last anywhere from 2 to 6 months. This buys time to look into other treatments and/or hopefully approval of the anti-angiogenesis drug for dogs….

Today Holli had an ultrasound and the good news is that showed that her disease had not spread and is still ‘local’. The goal is still to control this tumor and keep it from spreading. Holli also had her first radiation treatment and did quite well. She has four more treatments. The donation from CCA has paid for her treatments thru today. She needs four additional treatments for a total of about $1000. I will take this out of my mortgage payment and hope to find money somewhere when the actual payment is due….

I really hope that the radiation gives both me and Holli some reprieve for the next few months. Last week she passed the 18 month mark since her battle began.

— Kay and Holli

UPDATE 06-20-2006 — In March of 2005 Holli was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor on her rear right leg just above the hock. The tumor was the size of an egg. It was removed less than a week after it was discovered. The diagnosis was Grade II, no clean margins. Holli had ultrasounds and biopsies that confirmed that the cancer had not spread and was contained to the local area. In April 2005, Holli underwent 15 days of radiation. Five days a week for 3 weeks. In June of 2005 the oncologist declared Holli “cured” and gave her prognosis of a recurrence of nearly zero for the next year and only about 10-15% change of recurrence in the next 3 years.

In October of 2005, the tumor returned at the original site. This time it was the size of a grape. The tumor was removed within days and the excised area around the tumor was very large — as large as the original surgery. The diagnosis made by the same lab tech was Grade II but with clean margins. No further treatment was prescribed at that point.

In early January 2006 the tumor again returned to the original site. In addition there was a new small tumor in or near the inguinal lymph node. This time chemotherapy was suggested. Again Holli underwent ultrasounds, x-rays and biopsies that showed that the disease was still local, there was no spread to any organs.

Holli began chemotherapy in January 2006 starting with CCNU and Vinblastine. After two courses the vinblastine no longer had any effect. We repeated the CNNU but that also failed. The protocol was then switched to vinblastine and cytoxan. Holli had 3 rounds of this on a 21-day schedule. This also failed, with the return of the original tumor.

CCNU was tried once again but it had no effect. Recently Holli has had treatment with Elspar with no response and then with a local injection of a steroid into the original tumor site for local control while waiting to start the MOPP protocol and/or further radiation treatment. In late May of 2006, Holli had another ultrasound and biopsy of her spleen which showed everything to be normal with no indication of any spread of disease to any organs. The goal of the treatment is to keep the disease from spreading to other areas or organs by controlling or eliminating the tumor. It is much like controlling a chronic disease — an ongoing battle. I don’t feel I can stop the treatment and let the disease take over and kill Holli.

Throughout the nearly year and a half Holli has not had one side effect, not one sick day, not one missed meal. In fact she has gained weight since I started feeding her an anticancer diet. Holli gives no indication that she is sick. I have a training facility where we hold Rally and Obedience trials and while undergoing her cancer treatments, Holli has completed 3 Rally titles and one obedience title with many placements and two high scores in trials. Her quality of life has not diminished one bit.

In the meantime Holli needs continuing treatment. If I stop treating her, the disease progresses. It would be great if we could get Holli into remission, but I am committed to fighting this battle as long as Holli has a good quality of life, which means doing everything I can to keep the cancer from spreading. I hope that I will not lose my home in the process, but I can get another house, I cannot get another Holli. I cannot let her die in order to keep my house. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Kay and Holli

UPDATE 08-17-2006 — The CCA board voted to allocate $1000 for Holli’s brave fight.

Please help this owner with your generous donation. It would be greatly appreciated.

To Donate to Holli:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR HOLLI:

09-14-2006 — $100 (A gift from Susan)
09-28-2006 — $50 (A gift from Leigh)
12-27-2006 — $10 (A gift from Janice)
02-10-2007 — $75 (A gift from Belinda)

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PETER

UPDATE 08-21-2006 — Peter went to the vet’s office today for a follow-up appointment and to get his blood work done. We have great news….he is doing quite well. His leg is healing from the radiation and his blood work continues to improve. We will still be monitoring his neutrophil and red cell counts for a while. His energy level still goes up and down but for the first time he ran full speed into the yard like he was trying to say “I’m back.” He is very courageous in his own back yard! He will be going back for another check up in 3 weeks. I am very thankful and feel truly blessed for each day we are together. I wish I could write it in the sky “Peter is Cancer Free.” I want to thank Canine Cancer Awareness for their generosity and support. I saw there was a $100 gift from Laura to Peter. Please THANK her from the bottom of our hearts. She too now is a part of Peter’s life and recovery. Once again, THANK YOU from Peter and I AND for all that you do to help all of us through this devastating time. I will be in touch.

UPDATE 05-15-2006 — Peter, my little whippet, was diagnosed with mast cell cancer 12 days before his fourth birthday. On April 5, 2006 Peter had surgery to remove the malignant tumor in his back leg. After almost two weeks of anxiously waiting, I found out that the margins were not deep enough and Peter would therefore need radiation. I met with the oncologist who informed me that Peter would need 18 treatments of radiation (3 times a week for 6 weeks). I could not believe that this was happening to my sweet little Peter. Cancer is just a word until it hits your home. You can only absorb so much and you just feel so helpless and alone. I pulled myself together and was determined to fight for Peter and do everything in my power to save this little dog’s life. I read the book “Sparky Fights Back” in a matter of days and got lots of internet links and good advice but was still searching for answers. I felt lost in a sea of information and wanted to hear a happy ending.

I was told that prior to radiation Peter would have to undergo diagnostic tests to make sure that the cancer had not spread. These tests included an ultrasound, chest x-ray, bone marrow aspirate, lymph node aspirate and blood tests. I was concerned because whippets are extremely sensitive to anesthesia because they have no body fat. I again waited anxiously and put everything in God’s hands. I remember the “footprints” poem and prayed that God would have to carry us through this one. On Friday, April 28th I got the test results, which suggested that the cancer may have spread to his lymph nodes. The veterinarians recommended removing Peter’s lymph node in his groin area and completing a bone marrow core sample. I was referred to a wonderful surgeon specialist who took the time to explain to me what was actually happening. Peter had this surgery on May 5, 2006 and he has been such a trooper. He has been pinched and poked and it is heartbreaking to see him hurt in any way. Just this last Thursday, May 11th we got the good news. The cancer had not spread to Peter’s lymph node or bones. his lymph node was just reacting to the prior surgery however his neutrophil cells are low and will have to be monitored. The veterinarians are now recommending Peter start radiation. I am thankful for the good news.

Peter has truly changed my life. Somehow these dogs look into your soul and grab onto your heart. He is a quiet, timid and shy little guy (except when he sees a cat). His grace and beauty are beyond words. For cancer to hit such a young, sweet dog is devastating. My story is simple —— I have a very special whippet that I adore that has cancer. After trying to research and understand all the devastating aspects of cancer, I sincerely want to save my pet’s life. Peter’s prognosis is good with radiation. The vet says that since it is a localized area, the radiation will destroy any cancer cells that we did not remove in the first surgery. He will have a normal life but will always have to be monitored for lumps, etc. This is my happy ending to a story about my very special little whippet. Please keep Peter in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you,
Tina & Peter

UPDATE 07-07-2006 — The CCA board voted to allocate $1000 for Peter’s radiation treatments.

Please help this owner with your generous donation. It would be greatly appreciated.

To Donate to Peter:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR PETER:

08-15-2006 — $100 (A gift from Laura)
09-14-2006 — $100 (A gift from Susan)

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ARWIN (Left)

UPDATE 06-18-2007 — From my observations Arwin seems to being doing well, she is bright and happy and plays quite a bit. Although, I am saving up to have a follow up visit for her to Xray her remaining lung. She has been on Previcox and seems to be benefiting from it. Again; thank you all for everything your organization did for her, it no doubt saved her life. She has been an angel to me during my health challenges.

Kind regards,
Lucinda

UPDATE 06-22-2006 — We are happy to report that through the diligent efforts of Arwin’s owner & CCA, Arwin was able to have the surgery she so desperately needed. A portion of her lung where the mass was located was removed on June 20 and amazingly, Arwin was discharged today — she was doing so well. This is just the beginning of a long road of recovery for Arwin. All the funds allocated for Arwin have already gone to her surgery. We continue to look for your generous donation so that we can assure that Arwin is able to receive the medical attention she will continue to need.

UPDATE 06-07-2006 — Arwin has been denied services at the hospital that Bailey was treated at due to Bailey’s outstanding medical bills. Arwin’s owner is working with Arwin’s present veterinarian to find a qualified veterinary surgeon/oncologist at another clinic so that the surgery can take place before Arwin’s mass grows to the point where nothing can be done.

This situation would be completely unbearable for most of us. You see, both dogs in this photo, Arwin to the left, and Barley to the right, have both been affected by cancer. Barley and her owner barely had a chance to absorb the news when Barley was diagnosed on April 5th with malignant round cell sarcoma after an exploratory to see why her digestive tract was not functioning. Despite all of the oncologist’s best efforts, Barley passed on April 22nd.

Her owner writes: On April 21st Barley started to bleed internally and lapse in and out of a coma. At that point she was suffering beyond belief and there was no hope of turing her around, on the advice of her vet, my long time friend took Arwin to be with Barley, I was not well enough to travel that distance and he drove all night to make sure that Arwin would have a chance to say goodbye to her dearest friend and be there when she passed. On April 22, the day before my birthday, After Barley began seizures from brain hemorrhages, I made the decision not to prolong Barley’s suffering , and she was euthanized during one of her comatose episodes. Arwin and Evan stayed with her, until Arwin was ready to go. I was there on the phone and my heart was breaking that Barley could not be in my arms for her last moments. Arwin & I have not been the same since, every day we feel Barley’s presence with us. We are in the deep and delicate process of mourning her loss and finding our way to celebrate her life.

This plea for individual sponsorships is not for Barley, but for Arwin. Arwin is a 10 year old German Shepherd female who has had a history of multiple mammary tumors and is a mammary cancer survivor. While Barley was receiving treatment, and during a routine check-up, Arwin’s owner had Arwin checked where they found a mass on one of her lungs. It is strongly suspected that cancer has returned in Arwin. The plan of action is to have another x-ray of Arwin’s lungs taken and if the mass has stayed the same size, to remove the lobe of the lung where the mass is located. This is hoped to be a full cure at this time. Should they find that other smaller masses have arisen, then the course of treatment would turn to chemotherapy. With this, Arwin’s owner is facing approximately $1,500-$2,000. This is only a rough estimate and would add to the $4,500.00 already owed by the owner for Barley’s care.

Barley and Arwin’s owner is not a stranger to cancer. She is also living with the effects of cancer herself. Her sole source of income is through Social Security Disability’s SSI for just over $600 per month and her housing is not subsidized.

According to Barley & Arwin’s owner: Barley has been a working dog on a conservation farm, she has served and guarded rare sheep and cows and goats and has been a heroine on all too many occasions. Barley was a Bernese Mountain Dog, who with her kind and gentle ways has educated the public about the importance of preserving heritage breeds here at our small conservancy, she has even appeared in a PBS documentary film about the subject. Under normal circumstances we would not be writing this email. In fact we might be one of the sponsors. We have had two other dogs effected by cancer, one survivor of mammary cancer, one fallen hero from hemangia sarcoma. Tragically, the tables turned for us about one year ago when a catastrophic event took place at our conservation farm, that has left it in the position of destitution and soon to dissolve our conservation farm after 15 years of work and genetic research. For Barley this could not have come at a worse time. The farm is up for sale; Most all of the other animals on the conservation farm have been successfully placed in foster homes, except for the older two working dogs Barley and her best friend Arwin the Mammary cancer survivor. My health is very poor and I am not able to make ends meet with my limited disability income. I have liquidated most all of my belongings to pay for Barley’s care thus far.

Please help this owner with your generous donation. It would be greatly appreciated.

UPDATE 05-17-2006 — Due to the urgency of Arwin’s condition and need for immediate surgery to remove the mass in her lung, the board allocated up to $2000.00 for Arwin’s care. This owner has amassed such bills for Bailey that this is just a drop in the bucket. At least Arwin will be able to being her journey to get the medical attention she needs.

To Donate to Arwin and to help with Barley’s expenses:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR ARWIN AND BARLEY:

07-25-2006 — $50 (A gift from Cane and Diane)
05-20-2006 — $125 (In Memory of Sherlock, Tinker & Katie)(Taimur & Angel Greenspan)
05-21-2006 — $50 (A gift from Sierra)
05-28-2006 — $25.00
07-14-2006 — $200.00

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LUCKY BLING BLING

Lucky is a 10-year-old Miniature Pincher diagnosed with left renal carcinoma (kidney cancer) on May 4, 2006. This renal tumor, requiring surgical removal in order to save lucky’s life has already been done as this tumor itself does not respond well to chemo. The owner has previously been homeless. She is now on limited income and is disabled.

In order for Lucky to even be considered for surgery, Lucky’s owner paid one-half of the $3000.00 surgery cost up-front by credit card. She is now worried as to how she will pay for the second half. Lucky will need monitoring and, depending on the biopsy results, may now be more qualified to receive chemo to make sure all cancer cells that may be remaining in his tiny body are destroyed.

Although Lucky’s owner has owned him for just over a year, Lucky has been deemed a service dog although not certified. Lucky is her whole world and now that world has come crashing down. Please help us help Lucky by providing a donation so that we can help pay the remaining balance of Lucky’s surgery.

UPDATE 06-21-2006 — CCA has allocated $1,250.00 towards Lucky’s surgery. This does not cover the entire cost but will help Lucky’s owner considerably. Lucky will need to be monitored closely over the coming months requiring additional testing to ensure the cancer has not returned. Your continued support would be appreciated.

Help us pay for Lucky’s life saving surgery:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR LUCKY BLING BLING:

06-16-2006 — $30.00 (In Memory Of Freddy)
07-03-2006 — $100.00 (In Memory of Sherlock & Tinker)

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MALI

UPDATE 04-01-2009 — The Amazing Mali

With shattered hearts, sadly we had to let our gorgeous dog go this morning. Mali had a restless night last night with respiratory trouble. Chest x-rays this morning showed that the chest mass had grown and that there were more and larger masses in her lungs. Rather quickly it would have been a matter of time where she would not have been able to catch her breath. Chemo was no longer able to stay ahead of this cancer, so we chose to set her free. She had too good a life, and she was ready to go before suffering.

We spent the last month since finding the new masses spoiling her more than ever (as if she wasn’t already spoiled) and letting her know how very much we loved her and loved having her in our lives. Last night we spent the night on the floor with her comforting her, even her cats were laying by her side. We will always have the memories of those smiling eyes, her puppy face, that wagging tail, and a tongue that never fit in her mouth and always wanted to be kissing everyone. We all knew it was time.

We’re saddened beyond comprehension and miss her greatly. There is peace in that she beat and survived cancer for 4 years, 3 months, 2 weeks, and a day. There is peace in that we fought hard the entire time, never lost quality and maintained a big life. There is peace in the knowledge that so many who bravely passed before us are there to greet her. But we will never make peace with this cancer.

Thanks to everyone who has been so loving and supportive of us during our time here. We know so many of you have been with us through this journey and feel like Mali was part of your own family. We are forever grateful to have shared our incredible experience in the hopes that it helped someone else have hope, inspiration and longevity.

Be free my girl. Mali, you gave us the best 11.5 years and never once showed anything but dignity and spirit. You will be forever missed and eternally loved. We’re blessed to have had you in our lives…always.

“Ride, Mali ride upon your mystery ship
Be amazed at the friends you have here on your trip
Ride Mali ride upon your mystery ship
On your way to a world that others might have missed”

“We can laugh our lives away and be free once more”

We Love You Sweet Cheeks
—Ilene, Daddy, your love kitties Biggs and Gitty, and your angel kitties Harley, Shag, Gipsy and Gateway

Forever Our Mali (born 10/16/97; dx splenic HSA 12/24/04; probable HSA 2/25/09; free 4/1/09)

UPDATE 12-20-2007 — Hi All, My Mali is fighting splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA), a cancer of the blood vessel system. Mali is my hero and a true inspiration to those battling canine cancer. Here is her story:

Mali was a Christmas present to me on 12/24/1997. She is the most lovable black Lab, who never met man (or woman) she didn’t lick…Labs are oral, and her tongue clearly does not fit in her mouth.

Fast forward to 12/20/2004. Mali collapsed without warning. I noticed she was lethargic and had pale gums and tongue. I called our Vet; he said get her here immediately. Fortunately we do not live far from Metairie Small Animal Hospital. Dr. John Martin performed an emergency splenectemy and told me she was hanging on by her toenails. She had nearly bled out from her spleen rupturing.

The next morning, I went to see her and noticed that she was bloated and unresponsive to me. Dr. Martin was there and said he had been watching her recovery; then said he needed to open her up again. Her internal sutures had ruptured, and she was bleeding out again…in less than 24 hours. By that evening, she was awake, aware and back on her feet. I begged to please get her home to me by Christmas, since she had been a Christmas present. He did better, she came home Christmas Eve…12/24/ 2004…the day the biopsy came back as CANCER.

My girl was home by Christmas, but with a prognosis of 19 days to 2 -3 months without chemo or 9 – 15 months with chemo. Survival odds that I chose to believe were just that…”odd” . A fellow HSA reminded me that: Cancer is a word, not a sentence.

Christmas morning 2004, we woke to snow…the first Christmas snow in the recorded history of New Orleans…a miracle. If it could snow for New Orleans, then maybe we could have our miracle for Mali too. We believe!

In my “burning daylight” phase, I searched the Internet endlessly looking for any info on HSA. I came across an Oncologist, Dr. Kevin Hahn with Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS), who had done clinical trials for HSA and had many credentials. But he was in Houston. When we went back to MSAH for Mali’s staples to come out, Dr. Martin informed us that MSAH had contracted with an Oncologist to come to New Orleans once a week to treat canine cancer patients. Mali was booked to be the first appointment with…Dr. Kevin Hahn…Serendipity.

Mali completed her chemotherapy beyond my expectations. Her HSA was “dormant”, but she needed to receive chemo maintenance for life.

Then Katrina came. We had to evacuate for what we thought would be a few days…turned into 5 weeks. While we could not get in touch with MSAH to get her chemo meds refilled, we were able to get in touch with Dr. Hahn/GCVS just as they were evacuating for Rita.

While during our evacuation, we learned that our house did not survive and sadly neither did our 3 cats. But at least I had Mali still with me; I think she’s here to remind us: we can survive.

Well here we are… 2 years post Mali’s HSA diagnosis. I’m committed to helping and mentoring those newly diagnosed with HSA and other canine cancers. My hope is that what we have learned can be shared with others and help get them through their “burning daylight” phase after initial diagnosis. Mali continues to inspire and give hope to others. We have been blessed with brilliant doctors and supportive friends and family (both two-legged and four-legged) ; and we are forever thankful.

This past Christmas Eve marked 2 years post her HSA diagnosis. May Mali continue beating her “odds” and continue to be the gift that keeps giving.

I hope you share Mali’s story of success, hope and inspiration. Sending Mali Magic and Mali Hugs out to those battling and beating the beast!

— Ilene and Mali (born 10/16/1997 & dx HSA 12/24/2004)
Praying for our cats still missing in New Orleans, LA since 8/28/2005 due to
Hurricane Katrina: Gipsy and Shag, and remembering Angel Harley.
Reaching out is NOT a sign of weakness; it shows strength and control.

UPDATE 02-08-2007 — Hi All, just got back from the Vet.
Mali’s abdominal ultrasounds and chest x-rays are CLEAN. Since she had 3 (benign) moles removed last month, I just had to know if there was any spread internally. Praying we do not have to return for scans for another 3 to 6 months. Wishing you all a great day and healing hugs to your pups.

— Ilene and Mali

UPDATE 12-13-2006 — Hi All, My Mali is fighting splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA), a cancer of the blood vessel system. Mali is my hero and a true inspiration to those battling canine cancer.

Here is her story:

Mali was a Christmas present to me on December 24, 1997. She is the most lovable black Lab, who never met man (or woman) she didn’t lick … Labs are oral, and her tongue clearly does not fit in her mouth.

Fast forward to December 20, 2004. Mali collapsed without warning. I noticed she was lethargic and had pale gums and tongue. I called our Vet; he said get her here immediately. Fortunately we do not live far from Metairie Small Animal Hospital.

Dr. John Martin performed an emergency splenectemy and told me she was hanging on by her toenails. She had nearly bled out from her spleen rupturing. The next morning, I went to see her and noticed that she was bloated and unresponsive to me. Dr. Martin was there and said he had been watching her recovery; then said he needed to open her up again. Her internal sutures had ruptured, and she was bleeding out again … in less than 24 hours. By that evening, she was awake, aware and back on her feet. I begged to please get her home to me by Christmas, since she had been a Christmas present. He did better, she came home Christmas Eve … December 24, 2004 … the day the biopsy came back as CANCER.

My girl was home by Christmas, but with a prognosis of 19 days to 2 – 3 months without chemo or 9 – 15 months with chemo. Survival odds that I chose to believe were just that … “odd”.

Christmas morning 2004, we woke to snow … the first Christmas snow in the recorded history of New Orleans … a miracle. If it could snow for New Orleans, then maybe we could have our miracle for Mali too. We believe!

In my “burning daylight” phase, I searched the Internet endlessly looking for any info on HSA. I came across an Oncologist, Dr. Kevin Hahn with Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS), who had done clinical trials for HSA and had many credentials. But he was in Houston. When we went back to MSAH for Mali’s staples to come out, Dr. Martin informed us that MSAH had contracted with an Oncologist to come to New Orleans once a week to treat canine cancer patients. Mali was booked to be the first appointment with … Dr. Kevin Hahn … Serendipity.

Mali completed her chemotherapy beyond my expectations. Her HSA was “dormant”, but she needed to receive chemo maintenance for life.

Then Katrina came. We had to evacuate for what we thought would be a few days … turned into 5 weeks. While we could not get in touch with MSAH to get her chemo meds refilled, we were able to get in touch with Dr. Hahn/GCVS just as they were evacuating for Rita.

While during our evacuation, we learned that our house did not survive and sadly neither did our 3 cats. But at least I had Mali still with me; I think she’s here to remind us: we can survive.

A member of our Canine Cancer support group at Yahoo decided to nominate Mali for sponsorship with CanineCancerAwareness.org (CCA). Donations poured in to help me keep Mali on her chemo schedule, so I would have one less thing to worry about during this difficult time. CCA also made an additional donation to help me help Mali. Mali’s story can be read at: www.caninecancerawareness.org Mali is now one of CCA’s calendar girls in their 2007 calendar of Canine Cancer Heroes. She is joined by far too many other pups, which sadly are in the fight.

Well here we are … almost 2 years post Mali’s HSA diagnosis. I’m committed to helping and mentoring those newly diagnosed with HSA and other canine cancers. My hope is that what we have learned can be shared with others and help get them through their “burning daylight” phase after initial diagnosis. Mali continues to inspire and give hope to others. We have been blessed with brilliant doctors and supportive friends and family (both two-legged and four-legged); and we are forever thankful.

This Christmas Eve will be 2 years, that’s 24 months, that’s 104 weeks, that’s 730 days post her HSA diagnosis. May Mali continue beating her “odds” and continue to be the gift that keeps giving.

I hope you share Mali’s story of success, hope and inspiration. My greatest hope is that I can help CCA raise Canine Cancer Awareness, inform pet parents of the signs of Canine Cancer, and to repay CCA for their extraordinary generosity. I hope you find Mali’s story worth telling. Please help me help others. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sending Mali Magic and Mali Hugs out this Holiday Season. Have a very Mali Christmas!

— Ilene and Mali (born Octoer 16,1997 & dx HSA December 24, 2004)

Praying for our cats still missing in New Orleans, LA since August 28, 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina: Gipsy and Shag, and remembering Angel Harley. Reaching out is NOT a sign of weakness; it shows strength and control.

UPDATE 11-08-2006 — A huge thank you to CCA and to all of those who generously made donations to help Mali continue to beat her cancer and stay in “remission.” Mali remains on chemo to help keep her HSA dormant. Today Mali is 590 days post her diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. Official report from her Onc today: WooHoo!

UPDATE 03-27-2006 — Update from Mali’s owner. Wonderful news!

Mali had surgery to remove a lump from her gum line last week. We were blessed to receive news that her biopsy was benign. We’re also thrilled to report that all of Mali’s needle aspirates on five other lumps have come back negative. We have tears of joy; something we haven’t had in a very long time.

Mali is 15 months post diagnosis and continues to scan clean and normal. We are continuing with her chemo maintenance, antiangiogenesis, artemisinin, and a fistful of daily vitamins and supplements in order to keep her HSA dormant.

Thank you to CCA and everyone who have been so generous. Your support is overwhelming and is much appreciated as we continue to battle Mali’s cancer and also try to renew, rebuild, and recover from Katrina and the devastating flood. Sadly, I do not have any news to report on our lost cats. They are deeply missed.

UPDATE 10-10-2005 — Mali’s story has touched many. The response has been tremendous and CCA would like to thank all those who have already sponsored Mali. Today we received this email from Mali’s owner. With your continued support, we are hoping that Mali’s will be a success story. Happy 8th Birthday Mali!

Today we are 42 weeks post Mali’s diagnosis of HSA. And on October 16th, Mali will be celebrating her 8th birthday!

THANKS to everyone for their overwhelming generosity in helping me maintain Mali’s care. Since returning to the New Orleans area, I’m happy to report that Mali’s abdominal ultrasounds and blood work were CLEAN and NORMAL. This would indicate that her HSA has not spread; so we will continue with her chemo maintenance and return to our Vet in 8 weeks, then again in 16 weeks.

If this schedule holds, then Mali should be with us for another Christmas. She was a Christmas present in 1997; and she remains the gift that keeps giving. Her cancer was diagnosed Christmas Eve 2004; that year New Orleans had its first snow on Christmas in recorded history. A miracle??? We believe!

Hi, my Mali has HSA, was diagnosed on 12-24-2004 after her collapse and emergency splenectemy on 12-20-2004. We successfully completed her chemo. She is now on chemo maintenance, along with continued blood work, ultrasounds, and x-rays.

We are now homeless due to Hurricane Katrina, and I have lost my job. Although not accustomed to seeking financial assistance, I am asking for your consideration to sponsorship to help me help Mali continue to fight her HSA. Unfortunately, I am still displaced and about 5 hours drive from town. My house was in New Orleans, and we are still not allowed to enter. I just found out that one of my 3 cats did not survive the flood; still no word on my other cats. They have not been found, so I need Mali to stay healthy. I have to believe she has survived her HSA for 39 weeks post diagnosis to help me get through this nightmare. She is my inspiration to fight for all of us.

Thanks again for your consideration.

UPDATE 12-23-2005 — Through the generosity of individual sponsors, a check in the amount of $1,855.00 has been sent to Mali’s veterinarian to help pay her outstanding balance as well as future treatments.

UPDATE 03-22-2006 — It is with great pride that we were able to notify Mali’s owner that in our board meeting, held on this date, that Mali will be receiving $2,000.00 from Canine Cancer Awareness’ general account to assist in ongoing treatment for Mali. To date, including the total from individual sponsorship above, and with the anticipation of a donation from Google’s matching gift program, money raised for Mali through these various methods should exceed $4,500.00. Your continued support for Mali would be appreciated.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR MALI:

Thank you!
Cath Phillips, Kala Kennels (Kathleen Hamaker), Susan Feldman, Wayne & Diana Mayberry, Yukie Aida & Brendan Hussey, Dorothy Casey, Steve & Sue Stoermer, Peter & Nancy Luscombe, and Julianne Wiseman … Thank you!

09-22-2005 — $875.00
09-23-2005 — $140.00
09-24-2005 — $100.00
09-28-2005 — $15.00
10-03-2005 — $200.00
10-05-2005 — $350.00
10-10-2005 — $150.00
10-12-2005 — $25.00

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SADIE MAE

UPDATE 05-18-2006 — We received this very encouraging email from Sadie’s owner. It reads:

Sadie has her fourth chemo appointment today and then she gets one week off. Then it’s back to doing four more in a row and then she has to go every other week. So far she is doing really well. She went into remission the second time around after the first appointment We just keep it in our prayers that she will stay in remission for a long time. Our family is so grateful for all the help that we have received to help us, help Sadie fight this cancer. She is so carefree and happy ( and a bit goofy ) that you can’t even tell she has a battle going on inside her glands. We are blessed to have her in our lives and we thank god everyday that she is happy and fighting this, and we cherish every moment with her. Again Thank You.

Sadie Mae Sunshine is my beautiful 4 and a half year old Doberman. She had swelling in her neck on Friday, (September 16, 2005) and I believed it to be an allergic reaction to some doggy treats I had given her. I rushed her to an ER clinic and there they told me she has lymphadenopathy.Then Sunday I took her to our vet. and he confirmed that he agreed with the er vet. The ER vet gives her six months without chemo our vet does not give her that long without treatment. I took her today for her first chemo appointment for lymphoma. Treatments are very expensive and it’s is a 16 day course of chemo over a period of 25 weeks. Her vet believes that chemo will help her and hopefully by the third treatment we will see her going into remission. The cost alone to for this appointment will be almost equal to our house payment. We have only one income coming in the house right now. I was injured three years ago while at work. Unfortunately I was an innocent bystander doing my job when a fight had broken out and could not move. The assailants not aiming for me, but still I ended up with multiple injures. Two shoulder surgeries and six damage disc. Also damage to my SI joint. That after almost three years of struggling and anxiety attacks at work I left my job and stay home with my two children. Since hearing our baby has cancer I have canceled my physical therapy appointment for my SI joint and my docs appointment so that will be more income for Sadie Mae. She’s my baby. I keep praying that the biopsy will show something different.

For my family this is a nightmare all over. We have lost one girl to cancer at 9 and half years old. She was misdiagnosed and treated for an infection in the vet hospital for five days and then diagnosed with cancer. I would sit up at the vets in her cage with her everyday and on the fifth day her breathing wasn’t right. They did a chest X-ray and found she had a tumor by her heart and was going into heart failure. I stayed with her as she laid on my lap hugging her as they had to put her to sleep. I still haven’t gotten over that, but I was not going to let her go alone. I just cant go through that again. Our family loves our girl. And she loves our boys so much. Jason is ten and Justin is eight. She is such a character we call her Elvis girl she will smile at you with one lip up when you scratch her like Elvis. If you could help me go through the steps of getting our girl sponsored for treatment I would so much appreciated it. We are not ready to let our Sadie go. Thank You.

UPDATE 05-17-2006 — Sadie Mae was approved for the amount of $550.00 to assist with chemotherapy treatments at the board meeting. She continues to do well but this amount will be used up quickly.

To Sponsor Sadie Mae:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR SADIE MAE:

09-22-2005 — $50.00
10-03-2005 — $100.00
11-08-2005 — $100.00
12-06-2005 — $200.00
02-06-2006 — $100.00
06-04-2006 — $25.00

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name=”DogsBenefitedfromSponsorship”> DOGS THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM SPONSORSHIP IN THE PAST

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RAYNOR

UPDATE 5-1-2008—

We wanted to send you an update of Raynor. Raynor passed away yesterday afternoon. He developed Phneumonia, water around the heart and lungs, and the Lymphoma spred to his Abdominal Area. Dr. Bracca and Dr. Obradovich tried their best to remove as much fluid from the around the heart and lungs as he could, but Raynor went into Cardiac Arrest on the table and was not able to be recessitated. He was too tired to fight all that was going on within him. He fought with all that he had till the end. And we would just like to thank all of you for helping us with Raynors second to last chemo treatment. We didn’t have the money to pay for that treatment, but recieved the email the day before. Raynor had one more chemo treatment left on May 6.

Thank you all again so much for all the support. If it is possible I would like to have information about having a CCA Walk . Please let me know about this as there are several people that were close to Raynor and lives that he touched that are very interested in helping to host a walk in his memory. Especially to help others, they way that you have helped us.

God Bless,
Andrea, Ann and McKenzie

UPDATE 4-21-2008—

Raynor came to live with us April 1, 1994. He was golden and fuzzy and it was love at first sight. Raynor means “he who flies with eagles.” He was a challenge right from he start.

Nothing was too big for him to challenge (even if it meant growl, bark loud, then run and hide). Nothing too painful (like eating a bumble bee and swelling up like a Sharpe!). He brought laughter and love to our home at a time when we were learning to cope with a beloved parent’s battle with Alzheimer’s.

He gave us a reason to laugh while it was so very, very dark. We had all the beautiful steps with him that everyone has with their babies. The potty training, the chewing, etc. Then he had his first epileptic seizer. He was started on Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromides. After many harrowing episodes we finally got the right dosage. Our boy was doing better. My mom, in the mean time, left us behind on her journey, but she always had a smile for Raynor. He knew what was happening before any of us did. After my mother had passed, I became very ill. I assumed it was depression and that eventually I would be ok. That was not to be the case. I lost control of my ability to feel my arms and legs, to speak clearly, eye-hand coordination, everything went haywire. Raynor was there, beside me, as I tried to keep moving to go to medical testing that was painful and left me unable to do more than lay down and cry. Raynor licked the tears away. When the panic attacks hit, it was Raynor who cuddled into the corner with me, because I hadn’t been diagnosed with anything yet, and the only way I could get through it was to cower on my knees in the corner. He’s never left me. Just pressed close to me and let me hang onto him.

I was finally diagnosed as having fibromyalgia with panic attacks but was also told I could have MS and was put on disability. Through trial and error with meds and therapy, my boy was with me. The summer of 2007 was my first ‘normal’ summer in almost 12 years. I could walk with my boy at a normal pace with no cane or walker, we ate ice cream, played in Raynor’s pool (he has his own kiddie pool) and felt normal. Raynor hasn’t had a seizure in 8 years. We have been able to cut his meds down from 1 1/2 grams 3x’s daily to 1/4 grams 1x’s daily. No Seizures!!

My boy was coughing in December of 2007. My daughter took us to the vet who found a lump (actual lymphnode) and did an aspiration. The news came back to us. Lymphosarcoma in all nodes. The vet told us our options and we chose to go to Dr. Joyce Obradavich, Diplomat, American College of Veterinarians, Internal Meds. She has offices in Canton and in Rochester, both were quite far away from us, but the only facility close to us wanted all the money ($6,900) before even looking at Raynor. So off to Canton we went. Dr. Joyce examined my boy, and while yes he does have lymphoma stage 3A B-Cell, while there is no cure, he had every chance of remission. After taking everything into consideration, his health, which was great (nothing else was wrong with Raynor, his heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes and teeth were in excellent shape).

We, my daughter and I decided to give Raynor the chance at a bit more time. Raynor’s first treatment of vincristine did not give us a remission. The local vet said his lab results indicated one to her, but Dr. Obradavich said no, she wanted to see him right away. Raynor was so weak with such a high temperature we thought we were going to lose him. We drove to Canton and we carried him in. So gentle and loving. He had to stay overnight with cooling pads and IV’s. My daughter and I had to leave him and go back home to have arrangements made for our girl Kenna to stay with a friend. Then in the worst blizzard all winter, we drove 35 miles an hour back to Canton, to be with our boy. At times you could barely see a foot in front you. At the best conditions, it’s an hour and half drive there. Most of the people we knew thought that we were nuts. For us, therer wasn’t any other option. Raynor was our boy. Plain and simple. He got antibiotics and his first dose of adriamycin that night. By the time that we got to him, he was alert, hungry, thirsty, and wagging his tail so very hard when we came in the door. Dr. Obradavich had told us that we were welcome to stay with him all night at the center and we did. He was checked on every two hours and he was so very much better!

Febuary 18th, 2008, Raynor was in Remission!!!!!!!! He has had to have antibiotics within a few days of each chemo treatment, but as of today’s date, he is still in remission. The financial cost is high for us, as it is for everyone else, but it never crossed our minds not to seek treatment for Raynor. The kindness and generousity of everyone on the Board of Canine Cancer Awareness, the compassion of Dr. Obradovich, Dr. Walshaw, Dr. Bracca, Chris, Stephanie, Rosanne, Melissa, Eileen and Julie at Animal Cancer and Imaging Center, is beyond words. We know these days are a gift. We thank you all so much for helping us have them.

— Andrea

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR RAYNOR:

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BRINDLE

UPDATE 6-18-2007 — Unfortunatley I had to put Brindle down in April. She had a very good life and I want to thank Canine Cancer Awareness for all their help and support.

Sincerely,
Shanna

UPDATE 12-06-2006 — Brindle is back in remission. She has had a bad tummy reaction to her normal chemo, so we have to give her tummy medicine, which has helped her. Today should be her last chemo shot and then we are starting her on this non-protocol drug that can be really good, so hopefully this will help, if not it’s back to the shots, which i would like to get her away from since her body isn’t handling it like it use to and this new pill shouldn’t upset her tummy. We are keeping the faith.

Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you so much for everybody’s help. We can’t even begin to thank you all!!! You all mean so much to us!!!

Love,

Shanna and Brindle

UPDATE 11-16-2006 — Unfortunately this is not a good update. After almost 2 years Brindle has fallen out of remmission. She is back to full chemo treatments. She just had her first big treatment today. She is doing well, but I am a mess. We go back in next week to talk to our doctor who was not there today and we are going to discuss a pill that she can take every 21 days that will make the expenses go down, but it may not work. They have used it on 4 dogs and 2 dogs have stayed in remmission on it and the other 2 didn’t. If it doesn’t work, we just have to go back to full treatments. This is going to be very difficult, to have to go thru this part again. Thank you again for all your support.

Love,

Shanna and Brindle

UPDATE 10-26-2006 — I just wanted to first thank you very much for the donation and all the wonderful people who are sponsoring brindle. We are very grateful. Next I would like to give you an update on Brindle. She is still in remission and is doing very well. She had an eye infection that we are treating and she cut her paw on something during our walk, but she’s tough and doesn’t even notice. It took her two days to let me know she hurt her paw. We did have a scare yesterday. I had found a lump on her side and I panicked and took her to her doctor and all it was, was a little ball of fat. She enjoys her visits to the doctor, so she didn’t mind me dragging her there in a panic. Other than me being a complete wreck, she is doing very well.

Thank you again for all the help and support.

Love,

Shanna and Brindle

UPDATE 08-20-2006 — Brindle, my 9 year old pit bull, was diagnosed with lymphoma January 5, 2005. Our lives were turned upside down. Our vet, that we had been going to for years, was not very supportive in helping to give me our options. He kept saying that it would be too expensive, but besides the enlarged lymph nodes, she was completely herself and I couldn’t just do nothing. I finally got him to give me a list of oncologists and I called one right away. I really lucked out when we found Dr. Villalobos and her staff. We started her on chemo right away and she has responded well to treatment. Luckily, nothing has affected her in any negative way. She has had no side effects. The problem is that she needs to be treated for at least 4 years. We are only at a little over a year and a half into our treatment. I am extremely in debt. I have come very close to not being able to continue her treatments and the doctor has told me if I stop, the cancer will come back. I can’t stop the treatments. My princess means the world to me. She looks to me to take care of her and I can’t let her down. My world revolves around her.

She was getting her chemo shots once a month, but recently we have decided to try once every six weeks and have me give her chemo pills at home, every two weeks. She is also on a range of supplements. So far, going every six weeks for her chemo shot and having me give her chemo pills at home has been working. We are hoping that if this schedule works, we can go once every 2 months for her shot and have me give her more chemo pills at home, which will help the bills go down a little and give me a chance to catch up on my out of control debt.

Brindle is a beautiful dog. She is the most loving, spoiled dog anyone could have. I have been blessed to have her in my life. I am a better person for having the chance to have her in my life.

Please pray for my baby.

Thank you,

Shanna and Brindle

UPDATE 08-17-2006 — The CCA board voted to allocate $1000 for continuing Brindle’s chemotherapy treatments.

Please help this owner with your generous donation. It would be greatly appreciated.

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR BRINDLE:

08-25-2006 — $100 (A gift from Tanya)
08-25-2006 — $50 (A gift from Cassie)
09-14-2006 — $100 (A gift from Susan)
10-22-2006 — $50 (A gift from Liz in memory of Curtis)
10-25-2006 — $100 (A gift from Tanya)
11-21-2006 — $50 (A gift from Eli and JoJo)
11-21-2006 — $100 (A gift from Tanya)
12-06-2006 — $50 (A gift from Lucille)
12-23-2006 — $200 (A gift from Harold)
02-10-2007 — $75 (A gift from Belinda)

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OLIVER

UPDATE 6-21-2007 — I’m very sorry to tell you Oliver died of kidney failure and complications from his Fifth chemo treatment on Memorial day. That Friday afternoon, for the first time in his life,he couldn’t chase his ball. I knew then we were in trouble. He went very fast after that.

The vets said there was nothing we could do. Monday morning he was sleeping with me, I took his collar off, I dozed off for not more than a few minutes and when I woke he had stopped breathing, but was still warm. I’m thankful he died in my arms.

Sorry the news wasn’t better, and thank you for caring about Oliver.

Thank you so much,
zale

UPDATE 4-03-2007 —

Oliver is a very playful rhodesian ridgeback/mix who somehow ended up living under the scenic shop at the theater I was working at about 10 years ago. From what I can tell he was running with a local mutt pack and ended up getting separated from the others and was too scared to come out except at night. After a lengthy period of thowing food to him he eventually let me close enough to make contact, get a collar on him and take him to the vet . . . the rest is history! This last winter Oliver was diagnosed with cancer and turned my world upside down. I was in no position to get him the help he needed but I was certainly not going to watch him go without a fight. Canine Cancer Awareness has been a God-send. In addition to the financial help I’ve developed a network of friends with whom I can share stories and news about new treatments and tips for caring for a dog with cancer. I’m so thankful I found CCA and I hope I may be able to guide someone in need to them someday.

UPDATE 3-11-2007 — At a board meeting held on March 11, 2007, $921.75 was allocated to Oliver to support his treatments for metastatic Seminoma (testicular cancer).

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR OLIVER:
04-21-2007 — $100 (Donation from Susan in Memory of Sherlock and Tinker Good Dog)

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DROOPY

UPDATE 6-25-2007 — Sadly I received a letter from Droopy’s mom telling us that Droopy passed away in her arms June 17th. She said not only did the Lymphoma came back but that Droopy had another type of cancer also which they believe took him …

She writes:

I am writing this to let you know and to thank you so very much for all the help you gave him. And for the wonderful time it gave me with my beloved Droopy. He enriched my life in many ways. He will be in my heart till it’s my time to leave this earth. God and you have been very good to us.

Thank you so very much,
Eileen Simpkins

UPDATE 12-9-2006 — From Droopy’s Vet:

Droopy is an eight year-old Boston Terrier who lives in Anchorage, Alaska. He was diagnosed with Lymphoma in late August 2006. His first symptoms were lethargy and a decrease in appetite. These symptoms were significant in him because he is a little dog with a personality the size of a Great Dane! Physical exam findings included greatly enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, and depression. Bloodwork done that day suggested Leukemia or Lymphoma. Bone marrow aspirates were taken soon after and confirmed that Droopy had Lymphoma.

Many owners would have opted for euthanasia due to the high cost of treatment, but not Droopy’s mom. She told me that she would do everything in her power to provide her friend with the best treatment possible and to provide him with as good a quality of life as she could. She knew treatment would not cure his Lymphoma, but hopefully it would put it into remission and make him feel good again. We discussed treatment options. After many consultations with an oncologist it was determined that a protocol based on a multicentric approach would be best, but also the most expensive. Droopy’s mom agreed to spend her only savings for Droopy’s chemotherapy.

Droopy responded very well. Almost immediately he began eating better (although his mom had been cooking all of his meals to entice him to eat since his diagnosis), was spunky again and the size of his lymph nodes went to normal. He had very, very few side effects from his treatment. Droopy’s mom even began taking him to work with her to keep his spirits up. Droopy is now over half-way through with his chemotherapy and is doing great! On treatment days he comes to the hospital wearing his boots and a jacket (it is winter in Alaska afterall). He is always so excited to see us, he gives kisses, dances around and is generally silly for the first half an hour or so. Then when it’s time to place his intravenous catheter and give his injectable treatments he quiets down and is very still. Once the treatments are given and his catheter is removed it’s back to silly Droopy again. It’s such a pleasure to see him so happy and feeling so good.

Droopy’s mom is a fantastic care-giver and really would give everything that she has to that silly little dog. I think Droopy is deserving because he has been such a good sport through the bone marrow biopsies, numerous blood draws and intravenous catheter placements and his many trips to the hospital.

Sincerely,

— Droopy’s Vet

(Note from this application: There are no radiation facilities for animals in Alaska).

UPDATE 1-18-2007 — At a board meeting held on January 18, 2007, $1000 was allocated to Droopy to support his chemotherapy treatments for Lymphoma.

To help sponsor Droopy, please donate:

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR DROOPY:

05-30-2007 — $25.00 (From Lynne)

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CHLOE

Canine Cancer Awareness has sponsored Chloe, a GSD diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma for the total amount of $625.00 over a 5 month period. We have not heard from Chloe’s owner as to how she is doing.

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CUCUMBER

UPDATE 07-17-2005 — We are so sorry to announce that on June 27, 2005, Cucumber was released from the pain her cancer was causing her. Her oncologist suggested this was the most humane decision her owners could make. Despite our most valiant (and Cucumber’s) efforts, the chemo was just not effective enough to stop the cancer from growing within her. She will be sorely missed.

Donations given for Cucumber’s care will be sent to Cucumber’s owner so that it can be applied to the outstanding balance that was accrued on Care Credit.

With Cucumber’s owners permission, we have posted photos of Cucumber in her final stages of Mast Cell Cancer. We thank them for this as her photos may help someone else recognize the sign of this terrible disease.

The response for our plea for individual sponsorships has been truly heartwarming. Canine Cancer Awareness thanks all that have donated to Cucumber’s care for your support and kindly asks that you check this page often and consider sponsoring another dog in need.

TOTAL DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR CUCUMBER: $1,036.25 (Before PayPal fees) THANK YOU!

In addition, of the original $1500.00 that Canine Cancer Awareness had pledged for Cucumber’s care, $923.40 was used for treatment. The balance of $576.60 has been refunded to Canine Cancer Awareness so that we can continue to help others.

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UGGY

A LETTER FROM UGGY’S FAMILY 08-13-05 —

With lots of hugs and kisses, we love you from us and his special friends and see you soon, Uggy passed peacefully over to Rainbow Bridge, August 5th. Uggy was our friend, companion, and buddy. He seen us through good times and bad. We will remember the happiness that he spread to many faces especially when we were out riding in the van. We would let him put his head out of the van on occasions. His jowls and ears would be flopping and people would slow down with smiles on their faces to wave at him and tell us what awesome dog he is.

We will share a poem sent to us which best describes our feelings as well as everyone else who has fortunate to know the love of our fur-babies.

God’s Garden

God looked around his garden,
and found an empty place.
He then looked upon the earth,
and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you,
and lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
he always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,
he knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never,
get well on this earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough,
the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids,
and whispered, “Peace Be Thine&quote;.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.

-Author Unknown-

Many thank you’s for caring to Canine Cancer Awareness for being there and to those who made donations.

UPDATE 08-03-2005 — Uggy is a 6 year old St. Bernard diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on January 15, 2005. Uggy’s owners have graciously contacted us to let us know that they have managed to obtain the funds necessary to continue Uggy’s treatment. They also have asked that the donations received for Uggy ($140) ;be equally dispersed to our other dogs needing sponsorship. We Thank them for their honesty and generosity. Mary & George, Uggy’s owners wanted us to express their appreciation & gratitude to those who donated to Uggy’s cause.

On June 5th, we received news that Uggy had 2 small fractures in his leg and they were taking things day by day. On Uggy’s vet visit in the past week, the vet was amazed as to how well he was doing. Unfortunately, Uggy (the party animal that he is), over indulged himself at a family party this past weekend and it took it’s toll. Hopefully,& this will be only a temporary setback.

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BLUEJEAN

UPDATE 11-09-2005 — It is with deep regret to announce that on November 1, 2005, Bluejean’s condition deteriorated to the point where her owner had no choice but to release Bluejean from her suffering. Here is a condensed version of Bluejean’s owner’s letter notifying Canine Cancer Awareness:

Bluejean passed away on Thursday night. Blue was doing great. The tumor on her soft palette had gone down and she was sleeping great at night. The other tumors had shrunk as well. Then out of nowhere, last Wednesday night, I noticed in the late evening that she would not drink. I thought maybe she had a bit of nausea. I was up at 5 am with her and she had become lethargic. The veterinary oncology hospital told me to take her to Blue’s regular vet, so I did and she had a temperature and they wanted to give her fluids and antibiotics.

Because they close at 6pm, they wanted me to come back and transfer her to the veterinary oncology hospital. I pretty much insisted that I just take Blue there immediately by the time I got her to the veterinary oncology hospital, I had to carry her inside. They took more blood and found out that Blue was septic (bad blood infection), her blood pressure was very low, her blood sugar was low and her protein levels were low.

The doctor told me that this was a critical time and either she would have a turn around or she would not. A few hours later the doctor called me and told me that Blue was not holding her fluids for very long and she was very worried and Blue’s heart was . . . I can’t remember what she called it, but it was possible that Blue may go into cardiac arrest that night.

So I rushed to the hospital and I was in shock when I saw Bluejean. She looked like a different dog. I spoke with the doctor and he said that if she made it through the night, it would be a long road for her . . . her low blood pressure had resulted in some tissue damage as well. I never wanted Blue to suffer or her quality of life be bad . . . I spent about 30 minutes with her kissing her and telling her how much I loved her and how good of a friend she was and then I had the doctor put her down. She was breathing so heavy and was out of it. I am still in shock. I know that it was the right thing to do but I am so so so sad. I miss her so much.

Thank you for all of your help and support and thank you for your web site. Many times I went there and felt like I was not alone.

UPDATE 10-28-2005 — This letter was written by Bluejean’s owner just 4 days previous:

I would like give everyone an update on Bluejean and thank all of those who have helped. Bluejean fell out of remission but is full of energy and life. We are taking things week by week. I do not know how long Bluejean will be with us but for now she is having so much fun at the beach and at the park and is spending time with all of the people that love her. I really would like to thank the board members at CCA for their generous assistance. Upon hearing the news, it felt like a gift from an angel. And thank you to all of the wonderful people who donated funds to Bluejean. Another wonderful gift. I really appreciate all of your kind and generous hearts.

We at Canine Cancer Awareness also thank those who generously sponsored Bluejean. On October 26th, 2005, the $473.67 raised though individual sponsorships was sent to Bluejean’s veterinarian along with $500 of the $1,500 Canine Cancer Awareness itself pledged to Bluejean’s care during a board meeting held on October 12th, 2005. Due to Bluejean’s hospitalization, the $1,000 balance of CCA’s pledge was sent on November 1st to help defray costs. Any credit balance will be returned to Canine Cancer Awareness’ fund account so that we may continue to help other deserving dogs, such as Bluejean, get the treatment they need.

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BELLA

UPDATE 10-26-2005 — In a message received by Bella’s owner:

I recently spoke with Bella’s oncologist, and I’ve decided to temporarily discontinue her chemo treatments. She’s doing remarkably well.

I have a follow up appointment in a week or so and, if all goes well, we won’t need additional financial aid at this time. I’ll have more information after her check up, but in the meantime you can shelve our application. I sincerely appreciate all your help. You and your organization have been a godsend to us!

Of the $847.67 raised through individual sponsorship from July 21, 2005 to September 7, 2005, $839.92 has been sent to Bella’s vet for her ongoing care. The balance unfortunately was applied towards PayPal fee. This amount covered the $650.00 balance already owed to the clinic and covered subsequent visits.

The $100.00 donation received on November 8, 2005 has been deposited into our general fund account from which financial assistance is granted. In addition, the $660.00 pledged by the Board of CCA on during our October 12, 2005 meeting has also been returned to the general fund account. We wish Bella and her owner the very best wishes for a long and healthy life!

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DAISY MAE

Daisy was a young 5 year old American Pit Bull Terrier diagnosed with Lymphoma in late July of 2005.

UPDATE 12-28-2005 — We have been notified by Daisy’s veterinarian that on December 23rd, Daisy took an unexpected turn for the worse. Daisy’s owner had no choice but to let her girl go. Five years old is way to young. We extend our deepest condolences to her family.

Unfortunately, Daisy was not able to utilize in full the funds allocated to her. These funds and any additional funds raised through individual sponsorships will be deposited into the Canine Cancer Awareness general fund account in order to assist another needy dog.

UPDATE 11-07-2005 — $1,000.00 of the $2,000.00 pledged by Canine Cancer Awareness was sent to Daisy’s veterinarian to be applied as a credit balance so that Daisy’s owner can rest easy knowing that Daisy can get the treatment she so desperately needs.

It is with pleasure that we are able to announce that on October 12, 2005, Canine Cancer Awareness held a board meeting in which $2,000.00 from CCA’s own funds are being allocated to Daisy’s care. Without your continued support, this would not have been possible. Thank You.

UPDATE 10-12-2005 — Individual sponsorships made September 2 through October 6, 2005 in the amount of $285.00 have been sent to Daisy’s veterinarian so that her treatment can be continued until a meeting of the board members takes place.

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CUERVO GOLD

Meet Daniel Torres and his service dog, Cuervo. Daniel was stricken with Polio after taking precautions against polio as a child. He is permanently disabled and Cuervo has been his devoted companion and helping hand for many years. Cuervo was diagnosed with nasal osteosarcoma.

UPDATE 02-17-2006 — Daniel notified us that over the past few days, Cuervo’s condition has deteriorated to the point where the most loving thing left to do is to release his beloved girl from her pain and suffering. The debulking procedure at the end of December 2005 was not able to remove all of the tumor, and has now grown to the point where it has literally opened the incision site causing massive bleeding. Daniel expresses his gratitude to all of Cuervo’s sponsors and to OSLF for their generosity. “Without all of the help we received, the past two months would not have been possible”.

“Today is the day that Cuervo will lick the face of God” Daniel said.

Godspeed Cuervo. We know you will continue your watch over Daniel.

As the days passed and Daniel reflected on the time spent and remaining with Cuervo, he penned this wonderful poem. With Daniel’s permission, we would like to share it with you:

“My Bestest Friend”

In all my life, I never thought,
I’d have a friend like the one I’ve got.

You came to me one summer day,
And ever since we love to play.

God picked you out from all the rest,
Because he knew I’d love you best.

You’re true and loyal, and very brave,
For it’s my heart that you have saved.

You’re color blind and don’t even care,
The color of my skin or the color of my hair.

You’re very smart and I know you can feel,
Because a love like ours is oh so real.

People were amazed by the things you did,
Most of all, the love you never hid.

If I needed help, all I did was ask,
That’s why doing for you was never a task.

Like a child, I spoiled you rotten,
And threw out the rod because dog spelled backwards of course spells GOD.

GOD takes with him the very best,
I pray he gives my heart the strength to pass the test.

Our time together is passing quick,
For nothing could ever replace your loving lick.

I dread the day our love will end,
Saying goodbye to my “Bestest Friend”.

—Daniel Torres

UPDATE 03-14-2006 — Through the outstanding generosity from individual sponsorships, we were able to raise $1,575.00 for Cuervo’s care. We were desperately hoping that Cuervo would benefit from these donations but unfortunately, that was not possible. Cuervo did receive $1000.00 from Canine Cancer Awareness for her surgery and treatment costs which was in addition to the $1000.00 pledged by OSLF. With our collaborative efforts, Cuervo’s surgery and subsequent treatment was paid in full. The monies remaining will be available to be dispersed among the other dogs requiring assistance.

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MOCHA

Meet Mocha, a 7.8 year old Shepherd Mix diagnosed with cancer of February 2, 2006 at Washington State University. Mocha was having breathing difficulties, and it was found that she has a heart-based tumor diagnosed as either a chemodectoma or ectopic thyroid carcinoma. The tumor caused fluid build-up in the throacic cavity, compressing her lungs. Mocha required on-going care to alleviate problems caused by the fluid in her chest

Mocha had open heart on February 9th when they removed 1/2 of her tumor (the size of a mandarin orange) at the base of her heart. They also removed her pericardial sac, and some of the thoracic lining. Six hours after the surgery, Mocha was “trotting down the hallway” to go for a walk.

Mocha’s owner is working on a web site about Mocha’s trials. To see Mocha’s web site, go to
href=”http://www.geocities.com/sweetmochagrrl/”>http://www.geocities.com/sweetmochagrrl/.

UPDATE 03-24-2006 — It is with profound sadness and utter shock that we announce Mocha’s sudden passing. Mocha was home, happy and playing with her owner when she suddenly collapsed. Efforts to save her life were unsuccessful.

Here is the email received by Mocha’s owner:

My dear Sweet Mocha joined her canine companions to chase tennis balls in the sky this morning. She was so energetic and happy. You would never know she had major heart surgery, got through sepsis, and had many lung taps, not to mention cancer. Several hours ago we were playing with a rope toy, and she was frolicking. Suddenly she had a seizure and fell over. I had her to the Vet in less than 5 minutes, but it was too late. They think she “threw a clot”. Mocha never suffered throughout her amazing and courageous battle with cancer, but she sure put up with a lot of poking, pills and temperature taking! I am so grateful for the quality time we spent together, and getting an extra month to share love and adventures. I am an emotional wreck, but an emotional wreck who is lucky to have know such a pure soul. Although I was on this list for such a short time, it meant a lot, and give my love to all the doggies still fighting, their human soul mates, and those who have passed, but are never forgotten.

Sharon

UPDATE 03-22-2006 — The board of Canine Cancer Awareness held a meeting in which $2,000.00 is being immediately allocated to Mocha’s care. Mocha’s owner has, to this date, amassed thousands in veterinary expenses. Most have been paid through credit cards. We hope that through future individual sponsorships and our intervention, it will make Sharon’s financial burdens easier to bear. Sadly, only $100.00 was raised through individual sponsorships in the few days before Mocha passed.

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MAX

Max is a 5 year old pug with undifferentiated sarcoma diagnosed in April 2006 when, during the week of Easter, Max’s owners noticed that Max was having trouble walking. He was first diagnosed as having hip dysplasia but upon a second examination, it was suspected that it was cancer. An MRI determined that a tumor was located on his spine causing the difficulty in walking. Surgery was then quickly scheduled for 2 days later. Max’s owner had noticed that Max had also developed a cough the day after the MRI and it was discovered, only after surgery, that Max had pneumonia.

The recovery period has not been easy with Max needing to be less active than usual. Max is now at the point where he can walk but not without pain unless medication is given. During the time that Max was inactive, he lost muscle mass in his back leg.

Max means the world to his owners as he is truly their four-legged child. They are currently struggling to pay for Max’s treatments and surgery by selling some of their personal items on Ebay and even scouting out part-time job openings. We would like to make this trying time a little easier on them. Please help us do just that.

UPDATE 07-19-2006 — Through the generosity of others, $230.00 was raised through individual sponsorships for Max.

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