Survivors and Celebrations

Wookie's Story

My big boy Wookie, was a rescue at age 1 yr (or probably closer to 2-we never knew for sure). When he came into my heart he won it over lock, stock and barrel! Not always easy to get along with other dogs, he is always my protector and boon companion - he has more than once protected me from "things that go bump in the night (or day)". About a year and a half after he moved in, my girl, Andi, came to live with us and he took to her like no other dog and they are fast friends. Last year in March, I noticed Wookie was limping and favoring his right front leg and I found a small lump on the top of his left leg by his shoulder. Off to the vet we went and he told me not to be worried about the lump but he wanted x-rays of that other leg. My heart was breaking as the staff struggled to get good x-rays of my 162 pound boy (he is so big he didn't fit well on the table) - the vet and staff were wonderful and patient and took way more pictures than I paid for - the vet suspected something - that was clear- and wanted to be sure. He showed me the tell-tale sunburst pattern on Wook's leg bone that was a sure indicator of osteosarcoma (bone cancer). That was St.Patrick's Day last year and I had decisions to make - amputation was pretty much out due to his size and that his hindquarters were congenitally weak and pigeon toed. The vet gave us 4-6 mos. I could not get my head around that short of time and finally decided to give him the best life I could without treatment other than pain meds and Deramaxx to hopefully slow the tumor. I watched as the tumor on his leg grew and then 4 months went by then 6, and then 8 - he still plays for short periods with his buddy Andi and rarely leaves my side. Then we had a scare with granulomas (sores that would not heal) on his foot. Again, I was afraid to have to make the hard choice. But again together my vet and Wookie's spirit came though and they finally healed. We celebrated 1 year with filet mignon and are still going strong 1yr, 2mos later. He still stands strongly by my side with Andi, and will be there as long as we have and celebrate every extra given day we have together. The tumor growth has slowed or stopped, and he limps no more than at first. I am viligant watching for pain and any more sores or other signs and so far, we are good. At between 7-8 years of age, he is at a vunerable age but I believe he will stay around as long as he can to prove there is some hope with canine cancer and to be our strong old man. He is truly a remarkable and much loved big boy. Please donate to help find ways to fight this awful disease! We are lucky, but so many lose the fight way too quickly.