Any pet owner who has lost a dog to cancer knows the heartbreak it brings. To watch your beloved pet suffer is awful, such a feeling of helplessness. Or sometimes, like in Logan’s case, it sneaks up and you never even see it coming. Either way, losing a pet before their time is devastating.

This Saturday, October 24th you can join in the fight against cancer by participating in the K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk.  Registration is only open through Oct. 22, so don’t delay!

The New York VPI

K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 2009

Check-in at 9:00 AM at Cadman Plaza Park, Brooklyn (adjacent to the base of the Brooklyn Bridge)

Walk begins at 10:00 AM

Help VPI fight pet cancer! In honor of our National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, we’re welcoming all pet lovers and their dogs to join us in a walk to benefit the Animal Cancer Foundation and its efforts in cancer prevention and treatment research.

This 4K walk is open to anyone who wants to support the cause, so be sure to forward this e-mail to any of your pet-loving friends who’d like to join us

Your entire registration fee will be donated to the Animal Cancer Foundation and includes a commemorative event T-shirt, a bandana for your pet(s) and post-event refreshments.

If you have any additional questions- please contact us  via email.

Thank you for supporting Pet Cancer Awareness. We hope to see you at the K9K!

* Thanks Annabelle for barking to me about this event.

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Daisy, a beautiful 8-year-old rottweiler, is this week’s Dog Of The Week. She has been on Dogster since June 2006, more than three years!

Her mom Gail works tirelessly to help dogs find their furever homes by fostering and assisting with re-homing. She is also very active in BSL.

Sadly, on August 28th Daisy was diagnosed with cancer. Here’s what happened….

I was diagnosed with OSTEOSARCOMA. So we were going to amputate my leg but there is to many cons vs pros. To put me through so much for very little hope mom and dad didn’t want to do it. So sadly and with broken hearts mom and dad will love me for as long as I am here.. even more if possible. Since I was diagnosed I have been hardly getting around without pain. Mom and dad are doing everything they can. I will get my leg brace tomorrow to make my ” better” leg more stable to help me get around. I don’t know how long I have but I will look forward to everyday. That’s the best I can do for my mom and dad who love me so much.

Since then we have a new foster … Read the rest of this entry »

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The Morris Animal Foundation’s Canine Cancer Campaign is a global effort to prevent, treat and cure cancer.

By funding more than 100 canine cancer studies, they have tacked the no. 1 killer of dogs and helped veterinarians better detect and treat the disease.

Read up on some of their current studies and learn about the progress the MAF is making to help win the war against cancer.

Progress in Dog Health:

CANCER:  “Tyrosine Kinases in Canine Hemangiosarcoma” D08CA-050, Oregon State University, Dr. Stuart C. Helfand

Description: Hemangiosarcoma remains one of the deadliest canine cancers. Despite treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery, dogs rarely live beyond six months after diagnosis. New approaches are needed to improve the survival time of dogs afflicted with this devastating disease. This study will expand on the research team’s previous research into a novel class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors that may have the potential to control the growth of hemangiosarcoma. The results will help to clarify abnormalities that contribute to hemangiosarcoma proliferation and may ultimately lead to new treatment options for this aggressive cancer.

Update: Researchers from Oregon State University are expanding on prior Morris Animal Foundation-funded research into a novel class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which may have the potential to control the growth of hemangiosarcoma cells. In addition, the researchers are attempting to clarify abnormalities that contribute to hemangiosarcoma cell growth and spread. The data generated to date are exciting, novel and promising and may ultimately lead to new drug treatment options for this aggressive cancer.

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Yesterday I did a post on the upcoming Bark For Life event, a fundraiser to help fight human and animal cancers. When I was looking for a picture to use I searched on Dogster, that’s how I found Meatball.

Meatball is a Dogster member and is in the fight of his life after recently being diagnosed with cancer. He has a cancerous bone tumor, just beneath the surface on his face, close to his eye. Meaty is in otherwise great health and is a good candidate for surgery.

The treatment isn’t going to be easy and the cost for Meaty’s surgery and aftercare is very expensive, estimated to be around $5,000. His pup pals got together to have a fundraising auction, they have lots of great donated items to win.

If you would like to make a donation or put in a bid on one of the cool auction items go to his site at Meatball The Boxer-Fighting against Canine bone cancer.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m off to go put in a bid on a cute picture frame Lisa has her eye on.

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The American Cancer Society is hosting an event in Hendersonville, NC to raise awareness and funds for the fight against human and animal cancers.

The Bark For Life is a new event, it’s the first time pets are joining in the Relay for Life.

The first Bark for Life of Henderson County event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. Bark for Life is a non-competitive walk-a-thon aimed at raising awareness and funds for the fight against human and animal cancers.

“We had several dog owners whose dogs had gone through chemo and radiation to ask us if there was a way that they and their pets could help us in the fight against cancer,” said Carol Burke, co-chair of the event. “We felt that there had to be a way that we could make them a part of our fight.

“One lady had gone through chemo herself last year, and her dog is going through chemo and radiation this year. She really wanted both, she and her dog, to be able to do something to fight this disease. We knew that some other communities around the country had held similar type programs. We checked with them and, out of our investigation, Bark for Life of Henderson County was born.”

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In February we had a contest to win a “I’m tired of...” bracelet. Dan Hoffman and his sister Carrie Pollare created a wonderful company that has the opportunity to make a tremendous difference for so many causes.

The “I’m Tired of…” bracelets were created to fight against the world’s issues that we are all tired of, like animal cruelty, world hunger, global warming, cancer, diabetes and so many more. The fashionable bracelets are made from recycled tires and metals, creating a fun play on the word, tired, and cost just $10, so anyone can afford them. Then half the sale ($5) from each one is donated to charities the company is aligned with that support each cause. Best Friends Animal Society is the beneficiary of the sales of the animal cruelty bracelets.

Carrie Pollare gives so much of herself to help others, she’s a champion to the animal welfare cause. Last year Carrie found out that no matter how many lives you save, sometimes you can’t save those that are the closest.  She found out her dog Noah had cancer, they were about to start the fight of their lives.

It all started with an innocent scoot across the floor. At first she didn’t pay much attention to an act all our dogs have been guilty of at one time or another, but after a few more times it was off to visit the vet.  What Carrie thought was something minor turned out to be life changing when the vet told her there was a lump in Noah’s anal gland.

After crying my eyes out for the first of what would be many times, I got angry. There was no way this could happen to my “Poppy” (no, it’s not a typo). Hadn’t he had enough pain in his life…homeless on the streets of a Los Angeles ghetto, used as target practice by derelicts with a bee bee gun, and now this is how it would end? And, in spite of those difficult beginnings, my doggie is a beautiful sweet spirit, who I’ve snuggled with every night on my bed for 10 years before we go to sleep…who we call the “con artist” because his communication techniques are hysterical when he wants treats or a walk…who taught himself to “get a bear” (which is the generic name we use for all of his stuffed animals) to calm himself down because he gets so excited when someone comes to the door. So he runs it out, back and forth, until he can greet without jumping. And, at 10 years old, he still has the energy of a two year old pup.

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Dogster Jerry was recently featured on Nature’s Why We Love Cats and Dogs, aired on PBS. His story was a love story showing the amazing lengths we will go to for our dogs, the strength of the human/ animal bond.

Jerry was a happy, loving German Shepherd who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, he fought a heroic 22-month battle, which ended on Friday, October 3, 2008.  After he was diagnosed with cancer his parents had to make a very hard decision, should they amputate a leg to help prolong his life.

Their biggest concern was about his quality of life.  After learning more about dogs who have three legs,  they decided amputation was the right decision.  Then they made another life changing decision, to sell their house and business and take Jerry on a road trip to live out his final days.

It is a heartwarming story that will touch every dog lover. If you missed it, no worries. You can still watch the full episode online! Or, you can just skip to parts 2 & 5 for our segments.

You can read about Jerry’s life living with cancer at Jerry’s Place, also a resource for all dog owners to learn about and cope with amputation, canine osteosarcoma or other dog cancers, and life on three legs. His story is an inspiration to others.

Although Jerry’s life ended short, it was very full, his legacy will last a lifetime.

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It doesn’t get much lower than this.  A  very brave little boy, Ryan Morgan,  who has been fighting cancer for four years is now fighting to get his puppy back.

The Dachshund puppy was given to Ryan for his 10th birthday. Two weeks ago thieves broke into his Barrow County (GA) home and stole the puppy.

Even worse is that detectives think the culprits know Ryan Morgan and are aware that he is sick, according to Channel 11 Alive News in Atlanta.

Ryan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma four years ago and has been battling the illness since then, the station reported.

For his 10th birthday in July, his parents bought him a miniature dachshund to cheer him up. He named her Dixie.

“Whenever I went to the hospital or something, I would always think of her, and it would make me happier,” Ryan told the station. “I really like her. She’s cute.”

This is a despicable act, the offenders need to arrested and punished accordingly.  Let’s help bring Ryan’s puppy home. Anyone with any information about the case is urged to call the Barrow County Sheriff’s Department at (770) 307-3084.

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Recently Dogster and the Morris Animal Foundation joined forces on a fundraising campaign to fight canine cancer.  Since this devastating disease is so prevalent, killing 1 in 4 dogs, it is imperative to keep raising money for canine cancer research. Hopefully, eventually changing this statistic.

I’m always looking for relevant articles on canine cancer research and I came across an article about NC State University.  Their Veterinary Medicine department is going to start offering bone marrow transplants on dogs with lymphoma.

The university’s College of Veterinary Medicine plans to begin performing the procedure within about four weeks, said Dr. Steven Suter, an assistant professor of oncology. Suter arranged for N.C. State to accept three donated leukophoresis machines from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The costs for this procedure are not going to come cheap. You can expect $15,000 alone on just the bone marrow transplant. On top of that there will be vet bills and chemotherapy, needed to send the disease into clinical remission.

Many dog owners already spend a huge amount of money for treatment, in excess of $10,000, with a survival rate of only 12-16 months.  This new procedure will at least give them a 50% chance of survival.

The process of extracting the stem cells is painless for dogs, though it might not be so for owners. Consequently, NCSU is seeking donors to help underwrite the cost of treating ailing pets.

“We really understand this is a lot of money for a lot of people,” Suter said. “We’re looking for some corporation or some person to step up and help these clients.”

The university will start off treating about one dog a month.  However, not all dogs will qualify for this treatment.  The dogs must be at least 55 lbs. and the procedure is specifically for those dogs with lymphoma.

With standard treatment about 80-85% of dogs will eventually die. Dr. Steven Suter, an assistant professor of oncology, stated “I got tired of watching that happen. I decided the time had come to try something different.”

The picture that I chose today is in memory of one of our very own Dogster angels.  Maxie, a beautiful girl, was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of ‘07 and crossed over Rainbow Bridge on July, 14, 2008.

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Great news from the top dog! The Cure Cancer fundraiser has been so successful that it’s being continued through September. For those that have been thinking about joining Dogster Plus now would be the time to do it. Anyone who has a subscription coming up for renewal in September we appreciate your continued support.

We’re so happy with how much money is being raised for Cure Canine Cancer so far thanks to our new annual subscription drive in August, we’re going to continue it all the way through September. AND from September 1 through September 30th we’re also going to donate $2 for each annual Plus subscription renewal. So in September, whether you renew or start new, we’ll donate $2 to Cure Canine Cancer for each annual subscription payment.

Cure Canine Cancer

Cure Canine Cancer is an amazing endeavor do what it names says: “1 in 4 dogs die of cancer. Many more suffer from the terrible effects, together we can cure this disease in the next ten to twenty years – the lifetime of a dog.”

Cure Canine Cancer is a project of the amazing Morris Animal Foundation whose research protects the animals we love. Morris Animal Foundation is the world’s largest nonprofit foundation 501(c)(3) dedicated to funding research studies to protect, treat and cure animals. See what they have done for dogs alone.

Thanks to everypup that has been a part of this! We love you right back!

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