My Decision to Treat With a Holistic Approach

There are many ways to treat a dog with cancer. When I was told that Bo had cancer on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, I was totally blown away. How could this happen to him? He was fed the best food, had to best care, always went to the vet on a regular basis and anything suspicious was always checked out by our vet. Plus, I had already experienced cancer with my first Rottweiler, Roxee. How could this happen a second time. My vet explained options to me- chemotherapy, radiation or do nothing and let him live his life out with the cancer. Not sure I even soaked up all that he was saying. My world came tumbling down as I sobbed with disbelief.

I had left work that morning and drove to my parent's house where Bo & I were staying. I had just sold my house the same week I received news about Bo. Talk about a mix of emotions! As I drove, I called my fiance first, then my parents and brothers. Everyone cried. When I arrived at their house, I held Bo and cried. Now he has no idea what is going on . . . he's just happy to see me. As I sit down on the chair, Bo does his usual thing which is to back up and sit on my knee; like a child. I held him as I cried still in denial of the news.

Two days of crying and not knowing what to do, I called my vet again and had him explain over and over again my options. He said he will probably live with this type of cancer for 2-4 months. Unbelievable, just unbelievable. How could this amazing animal leave me and everyone who loved him so soon. HOW???

As the third day approached, I headed for the library. I pulled out every book on treating cancer in dogs. Leaving with at least five books, the research began that night. The book that helped the most was Help Your Dog Fight Cancer/An Overview of Homecare Options featuring Bullet's Survival Story by Laurie Kaplan. Laurie shared her story on how she treated her dog Bullet's lymphoma with a homemade diet, supplements and great tips. As I read Laurie's book, I made notes on survival tips. The most important was to make sure Bo was getting a healthy diet to boost his immune system. I learned that cancer feeds off of carbs so a diet low in carbs and high in protein was so important. I compared homemade diets in other books and found Laurie's to be one of the best. She had pictures for each step and thorough explanations.

When I first started making Bo's homemade food, it took about 2 hours. Finely chopping veggies, browning the turkey, mixing and separating into sandwich bags. The whole house smelled like an Italian kitchen with all the garlic used! Over the months of preparing this, my mom helped bag the food. We would take it all outside on the patio table and invite Bo and Nemo (my parent's dog) to taste-test. Both doggies loved it which gave us the go-ahead to bag! I would scoop, mom would seal the bags and flatten them to be put into the freezer. This would be enough for at least 2 -2 1/2 weeks.

Bo's homemade recipe would change slightly each month. We sometimes browned organic chicken instead of turkey. Sometimes added broccoli, a beet or different kinds of dark greens. When I shopped at the farmer's market, I made sure to ask if they had used pesticides or any chemicals. I wanted to keep Bo's food as natural as possible and not to let anything interfere with keeping his immune system healthy.

Bo continued to eat the homemade food mixed with a high quality dog food. I like EVO Reduced Fat because it had the lowest carbs and highest protein. Plus, it was a great quality food. Mixing his homemade food with kibble made it last longer. I would soften his kibble with warm water because his cancer was in his jaw. Didn't want him to experience any pain as he gobbled down his food.

I talked with several dog food distributors. One person in particular was located north of where I live. She sold a couple types of kibble I was interested in. We talked on the phone and I made the trip up north to talk with her about canine cancer. I believe everyone comes into your life with a purpose.

When I arrived at her house (where she sold the dog food), she had me sit down to just talk.  I told her how overwhelmed I was reading through the books that talked about supplements, minerals, vitamins. It was all a bit overwhelming for someone who was just thrown into this.  As we talked, her phone rang.  She answered it, talking a bit and then said "yes, she's right here" and handed the phone to me.  This is the call the changed everything and took a load off of my shoulders. 

It was Stephanie from Dancing Paws Animal Wellness Center in Richfield, Ohio.  She took the time to talk to me about canine cancer.  I needed a professional's opinion as we started this journey to help Bo.  Stephanie said they treated dogs with cancer with acupuncture, chiropractic treatments along with vitamins and minerals. She even said there were candles lit in the rooms, water for the dogs in each room and soft music playing.  Really?? This was nothing like I had experienced before at a vet.  A whole new way of thinking!  What did I have to loose.  It sounded right up my alley.  I told her I would make an appointment for Bo when I got to work on Monday.  Sure enough, when I called, Stephanie answered the phone and gave me hope as I made the appointment.

As I made the 45 minute drive, I was excited, nervous and anxious as to what I would encounter at this new place.  Bo was just excited to take a ride.  When I walked in the door I was warmly greeted by a smiling staff, candles and soft music.   I met with Dr. Neil Sivula.  Now here's the cool thing I found it.  Dr. Sivula treated Bo's dad, Hemi, for spinal problems. He had treated Hemi for almost 2 years and Hemi did extremely well with treatments.  What were the odds I would end up in the same place??

Bo was treated with chiropractic treatments and mostly acupuncture every 2 weeks.  After a couple months, we would visit every 3-4 weeks for treatments.  Bo was given CAS Options which was in a tablet form.  It contained different types of mushrooms and other minerals to boost his immune system.  He was also given Constitutional Blend; a form of Essiac Tea.  I felt good giving Bo natural supplements, vitamins and minerals.  Nothing that was going to jeopardize his well-being or immune system.  And Bo seemed to really enjoy his treatments.  He always wagged his tail and was happy to see everyone.  He was quieter on the ride home.  Acupuncture has that effect I was told.

People are skeptic about acupuncture and chiropractic treatments for dogs.  Some people just don't believe in it.  It's not common in all vet offices.  I had read about these options in the books from the library.  Again, what did I have to loose.  It helps the body to heal itself.  Remember, my traditional vet gave Bo 2-4 months.  Bo lived 7 months and was very happy and "healthy" till the end.

Bo had cancer and we were not going to cure it.  I knew that. I never once thought of how much time, money and energy this was going to entail.  I didn't really know and it didn't matter.  He was my dear, loving pet child and I wanted to give Bo everything he needed to feel well and happy.  He had given me so much unconditional love, joy, amazing memories and a type of bonding that I may never experience from another pet quite like that again.

I'M GRATEFUL
I'm thankful and oh so grateful to you, Lord, for Bo.  I'm grateful to the staff at Dancing Paws Animal Wellness Center for caring for Bo.  I'm grateful to my parents for taking care of all Bo's needs (feeding him, giving him his meds) when I worked two jobs.  I'm grateful for the people that came into my life to point me in the right direction to care for Bo.  I'm grateful for all the friends that comforted me when Bo passed.  And I'm truly grateful for my fiance who loved Bo more than I ever knew; who cried with me, assured me that I was making the right decision and comforted me when we sent Bo to Heaven . . . he had always been there for Bo.  I'm grateful for Bo shining down on me everyday; my guardian angel; directing me to get the word out there to help other pet owners dealing with canine cancer.  I love you forever, Bo.

Remembering Bo Today

Today was the first time since we lost Bo that I walked the same route we used when I would visit my fiance.  About 5 years at this location. I wondered if people that used to come out of their houses or working in their yards would say something to me like "where's your dog" or "how's Bo".  But instead I walked in the sun after a very snowy weekend remembering all the pee stops he did along the way.  Actually it was too cold and too much snow on the ground for people to be outside.

The one thing I noticed about my walk today was that I walked fast.  Something I hadn't done in a very long time.  It reminded me of when Bo was young.  Bo walked slow.  He deserved to.  He walked with me almost everyday for most of his life at a fast pace.  The last 2-3 years he walked slower;  sniffing, keeping close by me and always panting. But if someone talked to me or made a comment about him during our walk, he would perk up and prance over to them.  He thought everyone loved big black Rottweilers!  I knew he was kind and loveable, but not everyone else thought that.

Even though he had bone cancer, I still did all the things he liked and was used to.  We still continued to walk every day.  Why not?  He wasn't sick . . . at least that's what he thought:).

Every day I look outside the picture window, where I live now, overlooking the park where he used to play.  Today I thought I would take a walk in honor of Bo.  There was sun and tons of snow . . . he loved eating the snow.  Running by piles of it scooping it up like a little bulldozer.  Almost 2 1/2 months after sending Bo to Heaven, I did the walk without crying.  Instead, thinking of him the entire time.  Wishing he could be by my side.  I know he smiled down on me.

I know what would have happened if he was still with us.  He would have run in the door, greeted his daddy sitting in his Lazeboy, breathe all over him, slobber and then back his butt up to him.  He'd then go the kitchen, drink his water and probably look at his food bowl as if to say "hellooooo, feed me!" 

That  W * A * L * K was for you, Bo!!