Heroes We Love

Jim's Shining "Star"

Star, a spirited, 11 year old Lab/Shepherd mix, has always been Jim's best friend and constant companion. She travels to work with him, hikes and hangs out on the porch watching the world go by. So when Jim first noticed her limping in April 2005, he was convinced that Star had most likely simply twisted her foot. He decided not to leave her at the veterinary hospital for x-rays, instead opting for anti-inflammatories and bed rest. After a week her limp disappeared and the episode was soon forgotten. Over the course of the summer, Star went to work every day as usual, hiked, swam and enjoyed herself. Then at the end of January 2006, she began to limp badly again and her shoulder seemed painful. Since the anti-inflammatories seemed to have worked so well the year before, Jim says he again declined x-rays, mostly because he couldn't stand the thought of leaving his best friend at the vet's office for an entire day of tests. But this time, despite another course of anti-inflammatories, Star was still limping and was in obvious pain. So finally in early March 2006, a very worried Jim agreed to bloodwork and radiographs. The tests confirmed Jim's worst fears: the presence of osteosarcoma in her right foreleg. Her leg was amputated on March 14, 2006 and she was immediately started on a strict chemotherapy protocol, during which she became stronger and happier as she adjusted to the loss of her leg.

Update: After 5 months of chemotherapy treatment, follow-up x-rays have recently confirmed that Star's cancer has spread to her lungs. Despite this diagnosis, Star continues to enjoy life, spending lots of time relaxing on her porch. Jim, who says he's thankful for every day spent with his best friend by his side, has opted to monitor the progression of her disease with periodic x-rays and bloodwork...until the day his precious Star loses her shine.

"Midnight’s" Story of Hope
Written by Riki, Midnight's "mom"

I met Midnight a couple of weeks before his first birthday, on a cold, cloudy Saturday in February 1999, at a Pet Network adoption day. He parked himself on my lap and did not move, probably figuring that if he didn’t draw any attention to himself, I might not notice he was still attached to me and take him home. Well, his gambit worked. And once he realized that he was in his forever-home, he embarked on what he considers his purrsonal mission in life – keeping house and garden free of marauding chipmunks, vicious bunnies, dangerous lizards, and the occasional uppity (or perhaps unwary) bird. And to this day, he enjoys (and clamors for) his lap time, especially while I'm at the computer. It was probably due to our daily lap time that I was able to find his tumor so early; the bump never was visible under his thick, long fur, but it was palpable.

In March of 2002, approximately two weeks after a rabies vaccination, Midnight developed a small, hard bump, about the size of half an olive, by his right shoulder blade, in the area where the vaccination had been administered. I noticed it one morning while I had him on my lap and was petting him. He was barely four years old at the time. The bump did not resolve on its own, and an excisional biopsy was taken in June of 2002. The path report came back as panniculitis. With the biopsy, the bump disappeared, only to reappear less than 3 months later. However, it did not change appreciably in size for some 6 months, nor did it seem to bother him in the slightest, and I started to think that Midnight would go through life with a bump on his shoulder. But then, in March of 2003, the bump started growing aggressively, doubling in size within a week. At that time, the entire bump was surgically removed, and when a high-grade vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma was diagnosed, we were referred to a veterinary oncologist. In late April, Midnight started a series of 21 radiation treatments, with 4 chemotherapy treatments running concurrently. And by the end of June, 3 months to the day after his lumpectomy, he finished his last chemo treatment.

Except for a brief recovery period after surgery, his quality of life was never impacted at all. He tolerated both radiation and chemo extremely well, never lost his appetite, and was still able to enjoy some degree of freedom to explore the Great Outdoors and keep a very close, watchful eye on those pesky chipmunks. During the first two years post completion of treatment, we followed a regimen of rechecks and chest x-rays every 3 months.

Update: At the time of this writing, Midnight is 3+ years post surgery and diagnosis, and 3+ years post completion of treatment, and we are now doing rechecks at 6-month intervals and chest x-rays at 12-month intervals. He is still tumor-free, and he is continuing his quest to keep house and garden free of small rodents and reptiles. His quality of life could not be better. The only lasting effect from the radiation is his fur in the radiation field, which is much thinner and much lighter than the rest of his fur. But that is purely cosmetic, and I consider it his Badge of Courage.

"Dodger Dog"
Written by Lisa, Dodger's "mom"


Yes, Dodger was named after the Los Angeles Dodgers.  I guess it would be appropriate if he was a “weenie” dog, but he’s a sheltie.  Dodger started his cancer journey in February 2007, although it was probably earlier than that, but not to his family’s knowledge.  When Dodger started loosing weight and not eating, we took him to a local vet in Reno.  That vet said he had tonsillitis and gave him some antibiotics.  The antibiotic regimen worked for a week and then Dodger progressively got worse.  Dodger could not eat and could barely walk and breathe.  We took him back to the vet and after chest x-rays it was confirmed that he had cancer.  However, without having a biopsy, we didn’t know what type of cancer.  Our vet at the time basically said “I’m sorry.”  Not giving up hope, we consulted with UC Davis.  They wanted a biopsy.  We contacted numerous vets in Reno, and after looking at the x-rays they would not even do a biopsy because if they put him under anesthesia, they believed he would not survive.     The next few days Dodger was in extreme pain.  Since we could also feel his pain, we made a family decision to have him euthanatized and scheduled a vet to come that evening.   Our family was devastated.   

Within hours prior to having Dodger euthanized, we received a call from UC Davis which agreed to treat Dodger.  UC Davis did research with a vet closer to our proximity.   They highly recommended Dr. Montana as an alternative to driving all the way to Davis.  Dr. Montana saw us immediately.  Once Dodger had x-rays, she said she couldn’t believe he was still walking or basically alive.  Both his lungs were totally collapsed and his chest was filled with fluid so she couldn’t tell where the cancer was.  After draining his chest, taking more x-rays and spending the night under 24-hour care, it was confirmed that the cancer was lining his lungs.  After biopsy results were received, the bad news came that Dodger had Lymph sarcoma.  Dodger went through 7 months of chemotherapy, always excited about seeing his “friends” at Agate Bay Animal Hospital for treatments and even being more excited to leave.  Dodger didn’t have any major side effects from chemo and turned into a puppy again.  We hadn’t seen him wag his tail in so long!  Dodger was in remission in October 2007.  Our greatest Christmas present was Dodger being with us.  In January of 2008, we took Dodger to get his teeth cleaned.  While under mild sedation, Dr. Montana found 3 tumors in his throat.  Our family was shocked.  We never suspected cancer again as Dodger was always acting like a puppy after his first round of chemo and everything looked great at all his follow-up checkups.   Dodger is now receiving chemo again.  At the time of this writing, he just had his 6th treatment yesterday.  It seems to be taking a toll on him a little harder this time so we need to take a day at a time.  We do know that we have had Dodger for longer than we would have and will do everything for him until we no longer can.

Drs. Montana and Hecht have been “life savers” and their staff as well.   They have all been a great support system for our family and Dodger.  Dodger’s life has been extended well over a year . . . and counting.  That’s  over seven “doggie years”.   It is well worth the drive weekly from Reno to Kings Beach and when Dodger does go to that special place called “doggie heaven” we will know we have learned a lot from this experience and have met some very special people.

July 14, 2008 - Dodger made it through another 6 months of chemotherapy; however on July 14, 2008 we found out that the cancer had spread throughout his body and the chemotherapy was not working. After a nice walk on the beach and eating some grass, Dodger was euthanized in Dr. Montana's beautiful garden with his dad by his side. Dodger fought his cancer battle with courage and grace. He will always be our"warrior angel".


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