Bone Cancer Dogs

Almost 11 months ago, I began a journey that changed my life. Rondo was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in August of 2008. As I do with most things I want/need to know more about, I went to the internet. I found Bone Cancer Dogs and its companion Yahoo group bonecancerdogs http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/bonecancerdogs/ . What I found there were people who were willing to advise and console, to be there to support us as we fought OS. I learned what to feed my boy, what supplements might help, how to tempt a dog whose taste for food had been destroyed by chemotherapy. I learned to be supported and to give support.

Rondo has been gone 4 months now. I've remained with the yahoo group to support others who have to take this terrible journey. I cry almost every day as I read e-mails expressing dog owners' dilemmas and grief. Every death (this is a frequent occurence here) is hard to take. Every success makes me smile.

I have a commitment now-- to this group and its members, to others who find their dogs have this terrible disease. I will reach out to help and support these people, emotionally and financially, when possible. It's what I can do now in Rondo's memory.

Note: The story I wrote about Rondo for the Bone Cancer Dogs heroes page can be found at http://www.bonecancerdogs.org/main/hero/292 .