~:~:~:The Doggie Thread!!:~:~:~

DiRtYyELLoWoCeAn

Hey guys, just found out our dog has cancer. He's a 7 year old white boxer named Guinness. I am shook up, he's my best friend. Hoping for a good outcome though. He's going into surgery today to remove two mast cell tumors (one on his left paw and one attached to his aorta, so this is a big surgery.) We had to come up with 10 grand up front so I started a Go Fund Me. Any funds raised will go towards Guinness' bills. Any thing left over is getting donated via Pay Pal (with proof of receipt) to the second chance boxer rescue (www.secondchanceboxer.com) any good vibes or prayers you can send are GREATLY appreciated. If you'd like to donate or share the go fund me link it's www.gofundme.com/guinnessfight thank you guys so much!!! "Keep on Rockin" -Jim

DiRtYyELLoWoCeAn

Sadly, we just got word that there is nothing they can do for Guinness. Operating on him is out of the question because the mast is too far in his valve. So they said to make him as comfortable as possible, they didn't give us a time line. We want to thank everyone for your prayers, love and donations for Guinness. The money raised will go toward the CT scan (that was $1,500 anything raised over the $1,500 will go straight to the second chance boxer rescue.) Thanks again everyone - Jim and Cara

hedonist

I'm so sorry. I'm sure Guinness will be getting much love (and treats?) in the time to come.

jeffbr

DiRtYyELLoWoCeAn said:

Sadly, we just got word that there is nothing they can do for Guinness. Operating on him is out of the question because the mast is too far in his valve. So they said to make him as comfortable as possible, they didn't give us a time line. We want to thank everyone for your prayers, love and donations for Guinness. The money raised will go toward the CT scan (that was $1,500 anything raised over the $1,500 will go straight to the second chance boxer rescue.) Thanks again everyone - Jim and Cara

Really sorry to hear this. We lost 2 boxer mixes last year to mast cell tumors and it was devastating. I hope you cherish the time you have left with Guinness and that he is calm, comfortable and at peace.

Wobbie

Hey Jim-

very sad about Guinness. We had a golden that got mast cell at a year and a half old. She was treated with chemo and a drug called palladia. I would say she beat it.....but then she got lymphoma before she was five. she was getting chemo for that when she got mast cell in a different area. she had surgery for that before it spread. the lymphoma "got her" at five and a half years it sucks, I know. hopefully you can keep guinness comfortable for the time he has left.

Rob

P.S. boxers and goldens are among the most cancer prone dogs.

norm

i'm so sorry to hear about Guinness

Poncier

Damn. So sorry about Guiness. Had a boxer growing up, great dogs.

Wobbie

P.S. I have a buddy with two labs; guinness and molson. they also have a little mix named stella

Enkidu

Very sorry to hear about Guinness. We have a cat who doesn't have much time left and we are making sure she is petted and pampered and well fed - being a cat she really doesn't seem to care all that much - but I'm sure Guinness knows he's very loved.

PJ_ROCKS

sending good ((( vibes ))) to you guys and Guinness. a lot of us know what your dealing with. We are here for ya if you need to vent.

Who Princess

Very sorry about Guinness. Those of us who've been through that know the pain of waiting and watching our buddy's last days. I know he will be surrounded by love. All of us here will be thinking about you and will help in any way we can.

Who Princess

There was a story about this on our local news a few nights ago. One of these dogs is from Ft. Worth and the story really touched me. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/17/us/in-a-shaken-orlando-comfort-dogs-arrive-with-unconditional-love.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=Trending&version=Full&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article

In a Shaken Orlando, Comfort Dogs Arrive With ‘Unconditional Love’

On the Monday following the Orlando massacre, 12 golden retrievers arrived in the Florida city.

They had come to offer comfort to some of the victims of the attack, the families of those killed and the emergency medical workers, as well as anyone else in the city in need of some canine affection after the deadliest shooting in American history.

The animals are part of the K-9 Comfort Dogs team, a program run by the Lutheran Church Charities, based in Northbrook, Ill. Founded in 2008, the team has comforted victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.

Tim Hetzner, the president of the charity, said that the dogs in Orlando were helping to provide a feeling of safety, allowing those in distress to relax their guard and express their vulnerability during a difficult time.

“We’ve had a lot of people here that start petting the dog, and they break out crying,” he said.

The dogs and their 20 handlers have visited hospitals and churches, and attended vigils and memorial services.

On Wednesday, they visited some of the hospitalized victims and met with the staff of Pulse, the gay nightclub where the shooting occurred.

“People couldn’t get out of their bed, so we had to bring the dog up so they could pet the dog while laying down,” Mr. Hetzner said. “They start smiling, and in a couple cases, they started talking as much as they could.”

Comfort dogs, also known as emotional support dogs, have become a familiar sight in nursing homes, on college campuses and even occasionally in airports. Though many are not considered to be service animals under the terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act, they are often employed by therapists and medical doctors to help soothe patients.

While it’s not entirely clear whether comfort animals provide long-term benefits to those in pain, studies have shown that they can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression as well as the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

There are more than 120 dogs in the K-9 Comfort Dog unit, in 23 states. All of them have received extensive training similar to that of a service dog, Mr. Hetzner said, and have been taught to provide comfort without barking, jumping or getting agitated.

In Orlando, they have helped to provide a temporary calm during a traumatic week.

“With the family members, we spent time with them, and they just appreciate having something positive that’s taking place after the last few days,” Mr. Hetzner said, adding, “Dogs show unconditional love.”

hedonist

Just beautiful, Who P.

PJ_ROCKS

^^^ wow that got to me as well...

man, i love dogs!!!

Wobbie

We left Piper for a few days while we vacation in MN. The poor baby is so picked on, road tripping with our dog sitter

Wobbie

Such a sweet story, WP. Goldens will ALWAYS have a place in my heart.

Who Princess

Wobbie said:

Such a sweet story, WP. Goldens will ALWAYS have a place in my heart.

I know--I thought of you right away.

hedonist

http://www.standard.net/Police-Fire/2016/06/21/Weber-County-K-9-URL-sniffs-out-child-porn-and-other-hidden-data

Rob

PJ_ROCKS

had to put some smiles in here...

PJ_ROCKS

and this one....