June 2001 - we were honored to be celebrated by Furr Angels!

A Milestone to Celebrate for Muffy (lymphosarcoma) with mom Nikki  when she celebrated her 3yr. remission summer 2002.  Nikki said "we had such a wonderful 3 years- of course there are the ups and downs of this terrible disease, but if I'd do it all again as she is doing so well. Originally we were only given 6 to 8 months survival!! And she made it for almost 4 years. Sadly we lost Muffy on January 21st, 2003 but she proved the doctors wrong living for years more, not months. Click here for more on Muffy and her other animal friends fighting Cancer.

Spunky Bum (13yrs/from NJ) is a shining example that there ARE long term survivors.  Though sadly , he died on December 11,  2001  he had celebrated his 3rd year anniversary remission from Lymphoma September 2001.  His mom Lisa welcomes questions about their experiences.

Destiny (lymphoma) lost her battle on August 4, 2000. She developed complications from septicemia. The source of how this developed is unknown.  She was 13 1/2 and had a wonderful 8 months (Destiny's Story) remission where she was like a pup again. Her mom actress-singer Trés Hanley said "Though she has endured so much she was a very lucky little girl as she had a wonderful life and family who loved her. We did all we could to give her the best life she could have. So many animals never have that, so how could I ever say 'poor Destiny' as she was so blessed.  Her sister Geisha (various cancers) died in surgery 6/8/98. Read Destiny's Story. Destiny and Tres are honored to receive the Heroes In Courage award in August 2001 from FURR ANGELS.

Actor Lou Hirsch (voice of BABY HERMAN) lost his beloved Gypsy to Jaw Cancer "she is gone but not forgotten".

Clondike Kintsfather (lymphosarcoma 2/8/01) was quite a celebrity- A rescue dog who made it through 3 full remissions. She 'MISS MAY' for the new Sierra Pacific Great Pyrenees Club's 2000 calendar and was voted 1998 Hero of the Year by the Tails on Wheels Dog Therapy Group. Read CLONDIKE'S STORY and her triumphs 7 trials through her treatment and her Dad's tribute on her life and passing. 

Barry and Jo Helms said "Grizz came into our lives and left his paw print on the hearts of all who knew him". His book. "Grizz's Story A Greater Courage" is available on their website and ALL proceeds are being donated to help further the research and treatment for companion animal cancer. "Please come visit and share his life and our love".

 Hoover (7/24/00) suffered a bladder rupture do to cytoxan. Read mom Lori's Journal to be warned of dangers and things to look out for.

Beautiful, smart and very very sweet girl Bessy -above-(4/12/1990 - 1/10/2001) had a kidney carcinoma back in 1998 , and one of her kidney was removed.
Our vet said only 6-8 months max for her to live. Well she proved them wrong! She was fine and healthy for OVER 2 1/2 years! Unfortunately, her other kidney gave up and she died from kidney failure in January 2001. She was a real cancer survivor, and a symbol that VETS CAN OFTEN BE WRONG! Love is the strongest medicine.

Rachel (fibrosarcoma) has battled cancer & blindness. She beat cancer- but sadly went to the bridge just before Xmas 2000' .Read her remarkable story and then her tribute at http://home.earthlink.net/~reg3/rainbow/Rachel.html   

Nicholas Pressnall, seen above right, on his last Christmas (1997) with his brother Bear, mom & dad. Read NICHOLAS' STORY as well as visit his mom Robin's CANINE CANCER website. One of the best Cancer sites on the web! Full of information!

 

Darby, seen here with best girl Demi lost his battle to Lymphoma at age 13 1/2, but thanks Carol for her "program". His mom Nancy feels it gave them more time together than the doctors thought was possible! Ginny lost her angel Baron (aged 6) on 2/25/00. He was only 5 years old when he was diagnosed with Lymphosarcoma in August of 99'. Goblin (11 1/2 yrs.) Lost her battle, but lived longer than anyone thought she would! "Happy and pain-free to end, the joy she brought stays with us always" said mom Susan.

5yr.old Max (left, lymphosarcoma) died 01/20/01with his family around him. Dad Stanley said it was a comfort to have a vet who helped  Max to pass at home.  Beautiful golden Hannah (right-age 10) lost her battle on Nov.21, 2000.  Red (5yrs.old- lower right) is fighting Lymphoma. He lives in Oxnard, CA near Santa Barbara with his Mom Martha and Dad Jim.

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18mo.old Shawna was just a pup when cancer hit fast and fatally. Her on earth guardian angel Melissa (14yrs. old) showed remarkable strength and courage as she stayed with Shawna when she crossed the bridge 10/26/00. We are sure Shawna is now Melissa's guardian angel.  Sonny (above R- Osteosarcoma- age 7) Lost his battle 2/13/01. Mom Donna tells us he lived happy and pain free after his surgery in October and was grateful for the extra time that allowed them together.

Missie age 13   battled both cancer and diabetes.  Her mom Helen said Missie was happy and a little trooper  till the end  'crossing the bridge'  8/7/01. Max (above with dad Rich) lost his battle with Osteosarcoma & Hemagiosacoma- Please read his story and see how his dad continues to help others in this fight.

CIC Board Member, Kathy's Remi  (above L) lost his fight with Bladder Cancer 6/20/98. He forever lives in her heart. Please visit Kathy's Homepage.
Cody (above R) (Sarcoma) was rescued in Oklahoma. He found a wonderful new home in Texas with his new family who miss him very much who built a web page in tribute to him. Kujjo was my strength and security, not to mention my best friend says Armand Brun. He was a Psychiatric Service Dog. When he was diagnosed with Cancer May 20th 2002, his x-rays revealed over 40 small tumors. Scroll down or click here to read his poem to Kujjo and more on Kujjo and his Psyciatric Service  CLICK HERE.

On a HAPPIER NOTE- Perkins' mom, Sandi wrote us to say:

Your website, and others on the internet, are an invaluable source of
information and hope for those of us whose pets have been diagnosed with
that most dreaded of canine diseases - Cancer.   But I notice a large number
of the letters and message board postings contain stories of some of the
worst aspects of cancer treatment, so I wanted to write to you with details
of what Perkins, my 14 year old dachshund/beagle cross is experiencing
because so far, chemotherapy has been the best decision I ever made!

Like me, I'm sure there are many folks in an agonizing dilemma about whether
to treat their pet with another dreaded word - Chemotherapy.    The torment
for any pet owner who loves their animal is whether to treat - or not
treat - the cancer.  Quite apart from the financial burden that ongoing
chemotherapy will place on them, bigger still is the fear that the cure may
be worse than the complaint.   I swore to myself that I would not - under
any circumstances - submit Perkins, the love of my life, to any discomfort,
just so I could selfishly have a little more time with him.    As a result,
I searched desperately on the internet for some words that would reassure me
I was making the right decision in starting chemotherapy.  There weren't
very many.   And this is why I'm writing to you.

In late September 2001, Perkins was diagnosed by his vet with Lymphatic
Sarcoma.   The only indication that something was wrong were what felt and
looked like "swollen glands" under his chin.   My vet did a needle biopsy
where she removed some fluid from the lumps and sent them to pathology for
analysis.  Two days later my worst fears were confirmed.  Cancer.

After referral to a Veterinary Oncologist and an office visit to discuss the
different treatment options, I went home and cried.  And then I looked at
Perkins, standing in front of me with a tennis ball in his mouth, barking
and demanding a game.  He didn't know he had cancer.  And it was up to me to
make the best possible choices for him so he could have more years of
chasing that tennis ball.

Our Oncologist was wonderful - she clearly outlined the treatment choices,
success rates for both remission and cure, the cost and the potential side
effects.   Regardless of what choice I made, she assured me that she would
help me do only the best for Perkins and that when it came time to let him
go, she would let me know long before he would suffer in any way.

I chose what is known as the Aggressive Protocol which is the administration
of several different chemotherapy drugs once a week for 8 weeks, followed by
another 8 treatments every other week.   Perkins went into remission after
the first chemotherapy treatment of Vincristine on October 23.   "Remission"
meant that the lymph nodes were no longer swollen and that the growth of the
cancer had been slowed if not stopped.    Each week we have visited the
Oncologist for treatment - most of the drugs injected using a butterfly
catheter in his front paw - a 5 minute process.   Just before Thanksgiving
he was given a 20 minute IV drip of Adriamycin - the "big" drug in cancer
treatment and the one that usually produces the most/worst side effects.   I
was a nervous wreck just waiting for nausea, diarrhea, dehydration or worse
to suddenly appear.  They didn't.

Something very important to note is the choice of Veterinary Oncologist.
Dr. Harris explained to me that the (somewhat expensive) veterinary fees I'm
paying are buying the skills required to accurately calculate how much drug
to give her patient that will kill the cancer, and at the same time,
minimize if not eliminate the side effects.  That "balance" is obviously
critical.

We have finished the first 8 weeks of chemotherapy and are now visiting the
Oncologist every other week.  I am here to tell you that Perkins remains in
remission, is as active and playful as ever, is eating well, has barely lost
weight, and most remarkable of all, has suffered absolutely no side effects
from the chemotherapy administration at all.  He still eats his regular dog
food (with enthusiasm) and I supplement his diet with a daily 1/2 slow
release Iron tablet (children's) to keep his blood cell count healthy.
That's all.

My heart breaks for all those who have written about the agonies of side
effects from their pet's chemotherapy.   I fully expected to see at least
some, although hopefully minimal, side effects in Perkins considering he was
being filled with highly potent drugs on a weekly basis.   But there has
been absolutely nothing.    Those who know and love him find it impossible
to believe that he has cancer, let alone is in the middle of very aggressive
chemotherapy.

It is obviously different for every animal on chemotherapy - and there does
not seem to be a "pattern" as to who will do well and who will not.  But if
there is any doubt in someone's mind about not doing chemotherapy because of
the unhappy tales (pardon the pun) on the internet, please know that here at
least is one much loved dog and his Mom who know that without this
lifesaving treatment, we would no longer be together.   Over and above that,
please know that it is not every animal who will suffer negative effects
from this aggressive treatment.    The only evidence I have that he has been
having chemo at all is my badly depleted bank account.  And he is worth
every single cent because as of today, January 8, 2002, as I write this, he
is happy and feeling great, even if it is on borrowed time.  And I am very,
very grateful.

I guess he
is also living proof that not only the younger dogs should be given
treatment, but also the senior dogs.  I notice on most of the websites that
people are in a dilemma about whether to go with treatment for youngish
animals -- no-one seems to talk about 13, 14 or 15 year old dogs.  My
thought is that if those dogs are still as active and full of life in their
twilight years as they were when they were younger, they too deserve the
chance at some more time.

To read the latest updates on Perkins and his story click here

THE DOGS PRAYER

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more
grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand
between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly
teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music,
as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your
footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a
domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements.
And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your
feet beside the hearth.
Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and
snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all
the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach
you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do
your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able
to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of
my health or sight, do not turn me away from you.
Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the
merciful boon of eternal rest -- and I will leave you knowing with the
last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

-Beth Norman Harris-

My dog is Love

Dedicated to my service dog Kujjo who died June 3, 2002

God is love
Love is God
To show his love
He sent us Dogs
For here we all are
In search of true love
To find who we are
And learn unconditional love
My dog is love
Love is my dog
For he always loves
As he is from God
For God loves us all
And to help us learn love
He sent us his angels
Dogs, with unconditional love

Armand Emery Brun

Copyright ©2002 Armand Emery Brun

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