Ann
Moderator
I've posted before about the National Canine Cancer Foundation, and the support and information they provide for people dealing with cancer in their dogs. This morning, this email appeared in my inbox and I'm reposting it here for anyone who now, or in the future, needs a place to go for support and help with cancer and healing from the loss of our beloved dogs. We are fortunate to have a community here of Sheltie people who give us comfort through these times, but this is an additional resource. Sara Nice, who wrote the email, founded NCCF with her husband, Gary, after losing their Golden Retriever to cancer years ago.
Healing
I was looking over some paperwork from my Vet today. It was from September 2007 through February 2008. I was surprised to see we had taken Duncan and done a full blood panel and work up in September and all was well, because I knew the paperwork in January 2008 was just before his surgery to remove his spleen as he had been diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma. In that short amount of time, cancer struck and it ultimately took him in April of 2008. I also found the paperwork for studies we entered him into, by giving a blood sample and part of the tumor and it was nice to know that Duncan’s loss would contribute to some findings on the disease.
After every loss we have had, my husband and I have always had a great supportive network of dog friends we can turn to, who understand our grief and help us through. Not everyone has dog friends who understand. Dr. Julianne Corbin reminded me of that fact in her book that she sent to the NCCF. There are many people who love their dogs and lose them but never get to properly grieve them because they don’t have a social network that understands.
Fortunately, one of the things we have created is an outlet on Facebook for everyone who has lost a dog to cancer or who is dealing with the fight. It is a place where people get it, they understand.
Another thing I like to do is pull up pictures and write about them and remember the good times. It helps me heal. This book that was sent is a journal written by someone with extensive background in psychology and who understands the importance of the Human – Animal Bond. Beyond the Horizon: A Remembrance Journal for Healing the Loss of a Pet is a great tool to use as you grieve. The Journal leads you down the path of remembering your life with the one you have lost. She includes some great knowledge that stems from her clinical experience with Pet Bereavement as well as her research. I think it would be a great journey of healing to use this journal.
I just wanted to reach out to all of you and offer this resource that has crossed my desk. If you think it will be useful for your healing or anyone else’s, you can find the book on Amazon, just please remember to go through the smile.amazon.com link with NCCF as your charity of choice.
I miss my Duncan Punk every day, but I am happy his loss has been able to help so many others. Together, We Are the Cure.
Sara Nice
Co-Founder
National Canine Cancer Foundation
Healing
I was looking over some paperwork from my Vet today. It was from September 2007 through February 2008. I was surprised to see we had taken Duncan and done a full blood panel and work up in September and all was well, because I knew the paperwork in January 2008 was just before his surgery to remove his spleen as he had been diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma. In that short amount of time, cancer struck and it ultimately took him in April of 2008. I also found the paperwork for studies we entered him into, by giving a blood sample and part of the tumor and it was nice to know that Duncan’s loss would contribute to some findings on the disease.
After every loss we have had, my husband and I have always had a great supportive network of dog friends we can turn to, who understand our grief and help us through. Not everyone has dog friends who understand. Dr. Julianne Corbin reminded me of that fact in her book that she sent to the NCCF. There are many people who love their dogs and lose them but never get to properly grieve them because they don’t have a social network that understands.
Fortunately, one of the things we have created is an outlet on Facebook for everyone who has lost a dog to cancer or who is dealing with the fight. It is a place where people get it, they understand.
Another thing I like to do is pull up pictures and write about them and remember the good times. It helps me heal. This book that was sent is a journal written by someone with extensive background in psychology and who understands the importance of the Human – Animal Bond. Beyond the Horizon: A Remembrance Journal for Healing the Loss of a Pet is a great tool to use as you grieve. The Journal leads you down the path of remembering your life with the one you have lost. She includes some great knowledge that stems from her clinical experience with Pet Bereavement as well as her research. I think it would be a great journey of healing to use this journal.
I just wanted to reach out to all of you and offer this resource that has crossed my desk. If you think it will be useful for your healing or anyone else’s, you can find the book on Amazon, just please remember to go through the smile.amazon.com link with NCCF as your charity of choice.
I miss my Duncan Punk every day, but I am happy his loss has been able to help so many others. Together, We Are the Cure.
Sara Nice
Co-Founder
National Canine Cancer Foundation
