Tripawds member Princeton brought the shortage to our attention recently so we asked one of our favorite oncologists, Dr. Johnny D. Chretin, DVM, DACVIM of VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, if he could tell us more about chemotherapy drug shortages in the veterinary world.

“As far as drug shortages, its an epidemic.  Bottom line is they are mostly generic, older drugs, that we are talking about. . . It all adds up to trouble. ” says Dr. Chretin.

Chemotherapy drug shortages include carboplatin, doxorubicin, and cisplatin. This list on PetMD includes other important veterinary drugs in short supply, such as the antibiotic cipro.

Experts give many reasons for the shortages but currently there are few solutions and the problem is getting worse every year.

Industry Consolidations and Patent Expirations

As patents expire on many older drugs, ranging from pain relievers to life saving chemotherapy agents, manufacturer profits can drop by as much as 90 percent, leaving companies with less profit incentive to continue making these drugs. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry is constantly undergoing constant mergers and acquisitions, which causes a dearth of manufacturers available to produce costly but lifesaving drugs.

Despite the shortage, the usual laws of “supply and demand” don’t apply here because the federal government prohibits manufacturers from raising prices on drugs more than six percent every six months.

To exacerbate the situation, companies are manufacturing their newer, patented chemotherapy drugs that are often the same drug as the older generic version but cost much more for patients. Unfortunately there are few alternatives for the older generic drugs that are in short supply and if a patient needs immediate treatment, their physician or veterinarian must turn to the newer, more expensive version. Sometimes they’ll look for vendors selling the older drug in the “gray markets” where markup is astronomical and quality control can be an issue.

Medical providers are often caught off-guard when a shortage happens, mainly because the Federal Drug Administration doesn’t require manufacturers to tell hospitals when their drugs will be in short supply. Currently, two bills in the federal government (Senate 296 and House 2245) have been proposed to require manufacturers to provide notice. Contact your representative to support these bills!

Be Prepared, Stock Up

To avoid being caught without the drugs your Tripawd (or you) need, do what Princeton’s mom did, and order enough ahead of time to cover all necessary treatments. While this will hurt your pocket book, at least you won’t go without.

If you’ve run into a drug shortage, what did you do to handle the situation? Let us know below in the Comments section, we’d love to know.

Recommended Reading:

National Institutes of Health Cancer Bulletin: Continued Shortage of Chemotherapy Drugs Causing Concern

Orlando Click: Drug Shortage Leaves Pets without Basic Treatment (includes video)

Pet MD: The Daily Vet: Drug Shortages a Problem for Pets Too

ABC World News: Chemo Drug Taxol Shortage Puts Cancer Patients at Risk (includes video)

Chondrosarcoma in Dogs

According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary tumor of the axial and appendicular skeleton, after osteosarcoma. Only five to 10 percent of all primary canine bone tumors are of this type. However, compared to osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma is uncommon. Like osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma is a metastatic disease that spreads.

Chondrosarcoma is often found in cartilage of flat bones like the ribs, but sometimes presents itself as apendicular disease on thigh and leg bones. At first glance, it looks like osteosarcoma but it’s a slower moving disease. The tumors are much more resistant to chemotherapy than other types. As a result, surgery is the primary way to treat the disease as long as the tumors are in one part of the body and haven’t metastasized.

As Dr. Chretin discusses in the following video, chemotherapy is “a long shot” and has not been shown to be as effective in treating it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Chemotherapy and Chondrosarcoma

Like many cancers, chondrosarcoma behaves similarly in dogs and people. And unfortunately when it comes to treating it with chemotherapy, the success rate is typically less than 20 percent. That may sound positive, but in the oncology world, if a therapy doesn’t work for patients at least 30 to 40 percent of the time, it’s not considered to be effective or a good option.

Dr. Chretin states that there haven’t been any good, large scale studies done on dogs with chondrosarcoma who were treated with chemotherapy. However, plenty of studies done with humans indicate that the odds of success are just as slim for dogs.

“Unless there is a significant reason why we should give them chemotherapy,” says Dr. Chretin, “it’s hard to recommend it (chemo), because it doesn’t work in people and based on what we know, it’s probably not going to work for the majority of dogs.”

Although Dr. Chretin doesn’t recommend chemotherapy as a primary treatment for chondrosarcoma, if the dog isn’t a candidate for surgery, the tumor can be treated with radiation therapy to alleviate pain. However Dr. Chretin cautions clients to remember that “we’re not treating the tumor, just treating what the tumor is doing to the patient.”

Stay Tuned for More Canine Cancer Oncology News

This is the latest in a series of video interviews with Dr. Chretin at VCA Animal Hospital West Los Angeles. Stay tuned for additional interview clips with Dr. Chretin that offer informative advice about canine bone cancers, such as:

• Cisplatin and Doxorubicin Side Effects in Dogs
• Bone tumor removals: do they promote or prolong metastasis?
• Does the location of a primary tumor impact cancer development?
• Thoughts about combining holistic and traditional oncology therapies

Tripwds sends sincere thanks to Dr. Chretin and his helpful staff for allowing us to bring this impawtant information to you!

Recommended Reading:

Vet Info: Chondrosarcoma in Dogs

American College of Veterinary Surgeons: Bone Tumors in Cats and Dogs

Tripawds Discussion Forums: Chondrosarcoma

Tripawds News Blog: Bisphosphonates; When Amputation Isn’t an Option

VCA Animal Hospitals: Bone and Joint Tumors in Dogs

If you want to share your Tripawds story here, contact us.

Loveable Indy Celebrates 17 Months

Written by Carol Roberts

Let me introduce you to my most lovable Siberian husky named Indiana (aka Indy)!

When you look into his big brown eyes, he touches your soul with love; when you give him a big hug, it’s heavenly, he’s so soft, cuddly and he smells so good.

When you have Indy kisses, you just melt with the loving energy he gives; when you pat him, he holds on to you with his paws and always has to be in touch with you!

We brought Indy home at eight weeks old and I fell in love with my boy from the moment his eyes met mine. We started going on our long walks ever since he was a puppy and soon we walked four miles a day and then some – every single day – rain or shine and in the snow!

Indy became very popular in our town. Many business owners came out to pat him and we bought him inside to many businesses to say hello. People driving by in cars stopped to admire him and we met so many new friends along the way. He had become a daily part of many people’s lives as we walked by.

As a puppy, he learned how to do many, many tricks! I taught him to count to 10 barking out the numbers. I say one speak – he barks once, I say 5 speak, he barks 5 times, I hold up my 7 fingers, and he barks 7 times. He does this in any order whether I use hand signals or voice.

continued . . .

He actually talks and many people have witnessed words like I love you, I love you mama, and more. He sings howls, hums and whispers when prompted.

When he had four legs, he would stand up and place both paws on my shoulders and dance with me. He would walk forward and backwards with me as well. He has always been so entertaining and of course he has always been well-rewarded with treats, plenty of loving praises, and plenty of peanut butter!

Huskies love to run and boy did Indy run so fast! He would have a big smile on his face as we used to race each other. I guess you know who won every time!

He LOVED the snow and would prance and leap straight up in the air with joy! We always sat in the snow together for hours on end enjoying the crisp weather.

He loved staying in his kennel when we went out for a while. Most of all, he loves to cuddle and give many Indy kisses. He is the most loving dog I have ever met and I am so blessed to say he is mine!

The Shocking Diagnosis

The last week in December of 2009 I started to notice that when we walked, his head was bobbing a little bit vs. when he would just glide by my side. I gave him Rimadyl for a couple of days and there was no change.

The first week of January 2010, I brought him to his vet. He was not limping in front of the doctors and nurses – just doing his happy Indy dance! They had me continue the Rimadyl for another week. After the weekend went by, I noticed that he would limp when getting up in the morning and after naps. He started not to put weight on his paw. I scheduled a series of x-rays at the end of the week to find out what was the matter. We thought it could be his hips, his back or maybe a wrist sprain.

On January 14, 2010 we dropped him off for the day and they had me sign all kinds of papers because he was going under anesthesia. I was so worried and they assured me he would wake up.

I received a phone call later that day saying he is awake and feeling fine but hey found something. Indy had severe bone loss in his left wrist. “What did I do?” I asked. “You didn’t do anything wrong”, they responded, “He has a tumor on his left wrist”. I commented, “It’s not cancerous?”

There was a moment of silence. This was when one of Indy’s doctors said that they suspected it was osteosarcoma and if nothing was done, it may eat away at his bone & his leg could break. The bone cancer he had was very aggressive and it already made its way to his lungs and was microscopic and didn’t show on the lung x-rays. If we didn’t take action, he may have had only a month to live.

The only choice we had was to remove his limb at the shoulder. I was in such shock and was more devastated than I had ever been in my entire life.

My world felt like it was crashing down and I couldn’t breathe. I was with my daughter when I received the call and she was wonderful and comforted me. She helped me call my husband and we had to decide which hospital to take him to in the next few days. We chose Tufts in Grafton MA.

We had an appointment with a specialist at Tufts the following Wednesday and he kept our boy over night for a bone biopsy. We picked him up the next day and both Indy and I cried all the way home. I nursed him back to health and he then had a very pronounced limp that he didn’t have before.

Within five days we received the phone call which confirmed that he did have osteosarcoma. We were asked to bring him right in the next night for surgery the following day.

It all happened so fast. They told us that there was a chance he may surpass the 4 months they predicted him to live because I caught it so very early. They told us we may have 5 or 6 months with him. It was a very successful surgery and we visited him in the hospital every day. He was in for four days and he did remarkable adjusting. He didn’t need any help that night to do his business. He even ate his dinner too!

Indy Bounces Back

When we brought him home he did very well, just mentally the meds did a number on him as he tried to do his everyday things just in a different way. The second week was much better than the first and he was off all of his pain meds and nerve pain meds.

After his stitches were removed, we started to walk short walks. One block, two blocks, one mile, two, three and then four miles again!

He trotted around like nothing was the matter. Everyone beeped and gave him the thumbs up, So many people got out of their cars and gave him love. Some didn’t even notice until after hugging him for five minutes that he was missing a limb! He did amazing & looked like a very happy boy!

After four months of doing great, he started to let me know he wanted shorter walks. As the days went on, they got shorter and shorter until one day he just sat down. I thought – “Oh no – the cancer is back!”

I brought him to the vet right away and his lungs were clear. What a relief! I watched him the next few days and noticed his back right leg was not functioning right and he was not putting any weight on it. I brought him back and we had it x-rayed to find out that he tore his ligament and the only cure would be surgery (which we could not do). He had to take it very easy and stop the walks.

After about four months of many truck rides and plenty of extra special care, he was back walking a few blocks with me. We decided that we would have his lungs x-rayed every four months. In September 2010, his lungs were clear and his blood work was perfect!

Coping with Mets

The next four month check up landed on his 1-year check up. We were absolutely shocked to find that he had 2” tumors in his lungs. They gave him a couple of weeks – maybe a month more. My world came tumbling down all over again! I did notice he was coughing once in a while and he never used to cough at all. I kept watch and they gave me cough medicine to keep in the house.

It wasn’t until April that I heard him cough all night long. We started giving him cough medicine 3 times a day and it seemed to quiet it down.

Six weeks ago we had a terrible scare one night when we came home from dining out, he was acting like he was so uncomfortable & his breathing was labored.

He had no energy & lost the sparkle in his eyes. But he had such a wonderful day filled with a walk, truck rides and visiting friends!

I gave him a pain killer and sat with him for hours; he finally fell asleep and woke up the same way. I stayed home all day with him and as the day progressed, he felt better for four more days. His doctors told us to start giving him Tramadol three times a day.

The first week of May Indy had no interest in eating his breakfast (he normally would knock you over if you got in his way of his meals!). After a couple of hours I hand-fed him and finally he finished. Dinner was no problem. I pretty much hand-fed him for a month. It just so happens that the past 10 days he has miraculously stared eating on his own again!

However, his coughing has increased in between the medicine and I am very worried. He has had so many very good days! The past couple of days even though he eats on his own, he has been resting more again, but not too tired to sing a song or give out those famous Indy kisses!

Today We Celebrate

Today is 17 months beating the odds against osteosarcoma and Indiana has done it with such grace, joy and without a care in the world. He has been an inspiration to us all. Not one moment has he ever acted upset with all that he’s been through. He trusts me with his life and I take very good care of him and shower him with so much love!

We chose not to give him chemo or any other alternative medicines or food. Indy has made it this far with my love.

Indy is our miracle and I am blessed to have him in my life and in my heart.

His 10th birthday is in one week and I pray he is here for us to celebrate our gentle warrior, my soul dog, my best friend and light of my life. Indiana’s love is truly a gift and we cherish every moment we have loving him.

With love & Indy kisses,

Carol, Indy’s mom

Got an upcoming ampuversary? Honor your own Tripawd’s big day with a custom Tripawd dog photo pendant like Indy’s!

This 30-minute Internet radio show brings you the latest information about canine amputation, recovery tips and canine cancer care treatments.

Date: This Saturday 3/26/2011

Time: 5:30 PM (Eastern), 2:30 PM (Pacific)

Call in with Questions: (310) 388-9739

On this episode, you’ll hear Maggie’s mom Tracy discuss her preferred canine cancer treatment plan for her three legged agility champion.

Learn about how Maggie adapted to life on three legs after her rear leg amputation due to a soft tissue sarcoma.

We will discuss the benefits of canine rehabilitation and Maggie’s core strengthening exercises as well as her preferred homeopathic remedies and nutrition plans.

Then you’ll hear from Maggie’s auntie, holistic veterinary technician Gina who will discuss helpful post-amputation homeopathic remedies and other natural nutrition plans for dogs with cancer.

For the last 20 years, Gina has worked as a licensed Animal Medical Technician, and nine of them have been spent working in holistic veterinary medicine.

Gina is also dog Mom to Dilly, a nine year Mast Cell Grade II cancer survivor whose story is shared here.

Remember, you can ask any questions here in the Forums before the show, or listen live online and ask your questions in the Tripawds Chat Room.

Call in live during the show with your questions or join us in the Chat.

(310) 388-9739

Can’t make the show? Then check our Discussion Forum topic for the on demand audio podcast.

DISCLAIMER: Information provided at Tripawd Talk Radio and Tripawds.com is not a substitute for medical care by your personally selected, qualified veterinary professional. Always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian prior to making any medical decisions or undergoing treatments or therapies, or if you have questions about your dog’s health. We advise against any medical decisions made without the direct involvement of your veterinary team. Tripawds.com is a project of Agreda Communications, which is not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by the information available at Tripawd Talk Radio or Tripawds.com.

This 30-minute Internet radio show brings you the latest information about canine amputation, recovery tips and bone cancer treatments.

The best part? You can call in to ask questions of our guests!

Tune in this Sunday, February 13 at 6:30 Eastern, 3:30 Pacific for our first show:

Meet the Mod Pawd: Episode 1

Tripawds Discussion Forum moderators cometdog and hugapitbull will join us.

Call in live during the show at (310) 388-9739 with your questions about hugapitbull’s Trouble, the amazing Pit Bull who’s beaten bone cancer for two years now. Or ask Spirit Comet about life as a Tripawd with a deformed limb and her favorite pasttime, Monkeydogs.

If you’re shy, you can also click here to post your questions for our guests.

Meet the Mod Pawd Episode #1

Sunday February 13, 2011

4:30 MT (3:30 Pacific 6:30 Eastern)

Duration 30 minutes

Call-in Number: (310) 388-9739

In upcoming shows, you’ll hear from more Tripawd members as well as veterinarians, specialists, rehabilitation therapists and oncologists who can answer your questions and share the latest developments in the three legged dog world. All shows will be archived for later listening.

What is Tripawd Talk Radio?

The show will be broadcast live on Saturdays or Sundays at 4:30 pm, depending on the availability of our special guests.

Our first show was a test show featuring Tripawds members Cooper, Fear the Ears and JakesMom. Click here to listen to us fumbling around our test episode.

Meanwhile, please tell us how you would like to see Tripawd Talk Radio evolve.

What kind of topics and what guests do you want to hear on the show?

Remember, join us this Sunday for a live show with members Spirit CometDog, who was a Tripawd from birth, and Hugapitbull, dog Mom to Trouble, who recently celebrated her two year mark of living with cancer!

Click here to visit The Tripawds Talk Radio Channel on Blog Talk Radio where can also listen to archived shows.

To answer this question, we created the “How to Support the Tripawds Community” page. This is where we describe how members can help support our efforts to keep Tripawds online. For example:

• Shopping in our Featured Blogs
• Subscribe as a Tripawds Blogs Supporter
• Naming Your Price for a “Tripawds Rule!” Bandanna
• Starting an Automatic Gift Subscription from $5 on Up

From sharing what you know about canine amputation to throwing a bone in the Tripawds Tip Jar, all of these contributions will help the community thrive (like the recent site upgrade to improve performance).

Never in a million years would we have thought that one little blog about my bone cancer journey would create such a supportive community, both online and offline.

Today, it’s a 24/7 labor of love for my pawrents, who don’t get paid to bring you the information, resources and infrastructure you know as Tripawds.com.

They get a lot of personal satisfaction out of doing what they do, but unfortunately that doesn’t cover the costs of keeping us going.

Whatever and however you can chip in is greatly appreciated and may be able to help us avoid future fundraising campaigns.

If you’re already here, you’re well aware that once you go down the Tripawd path, nothing is ever the same. Thank you for being here to hold the hands and paws of old, new and future members. Together, we’ll make sure that nobody has to hop this road alone.

The group is named in honor of Trio, a pit bull whose leg was bitten off when she was used as bait in an illegal dogfight. She was only four weeks old at the time, and given just a 10 pawcent chance of surviving that horrible ordeal.

But thanks to the generosity of loving people, she was given the medical care she needed to recovery, and she pulled through. Today, Trio is a happy adult dog who serves as inspawration for her Mom Sue, and the Trio Animal Foundation that she founded.

Trio focuses on raising money to help homeless pets who are in the temporary care of a shelter or foster home. From paying for amputations to covering the medical care of newly sheltered animals, the Trio Animal Foundation is ready to help.

Trio Sponsors Buster the Senior Tripawd

This week, Trio is sponsoring the medical care for Buster, a gentle 10-year old Chow mix Tripawd who endured the pain of a shattered femur for four months before shelter staff realized it. Buster is so kind and stoic, he never once complained or gave any indication that his leg was in such bad shape.

Now, after recovering from amputation in his Illinois foster home, he will soon be ready for adoption. Contact the Young At Heart Senior Dog Rescue for details.

Although the Trio Animal Foundation will help anyone in any part of the country, they focus their hands-on work in the Chicago area, especially at the Animal Welfare League’s intake shelter in the Southside of Chicago, one of Chicago’s busiest shelters that’s in dire need of financial help. Trio is working on a project to build outdoor dog runs and to install turf in this needy facility.

The group is always seeking donations from individuals, businesses and organizations to fund their life changing endeavors.

Let’s hear it for Trio Animal Foundation! Paws up to this great organization!

That’s why we are so grateful for the ongoing help and feedback in the Discussion Forums by Dr. Pam Wiltzius, a pawesome veterinarian in Puyallup, Washington.

Dr. Wiltzius has firsthand experience with amputation and bone cancer. Her beloved Tazzie was a beautiful Mastiff who battled bone cancer for just over a year. Although Tazzie earned her wings in October, 2009, Dr. Wiltzius continues to share her expertise with Tripawds nearly every day. Thank you, Dr. Pam, we are so grateful!

A Shepherd’s Itchy Mystery

Last Fall we were lucky enough to shadow Dr. Wiltzius at work. In the following video, Dr. Wiltzius meets Gunther, a regular patient who was brought in because he’s been scratching and itching more than usual.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dr. Wiltzius performed a skin scrape on Gunther to see if he had mange, which he didn’t have. But Gunther’s symptoms weren’t typical of a flea or pollen allergy either. Since German Shepherds are highly susceptible to allergies, Dr. Wiltzius suspects he could be developing an allergic reaction to something, and a blood test could be in his future, possibly even allergy vaccines.

Itchy Skin Recommendations

Before spending the couple hundred dollars for an allergy test, Dr. Wiltzius recommends looking for common signs of pollen allergies, including red, sore ears and feet, and a general overall itchiness.

Additionally, she suggests:

• Frequent bathing every seven to 14 days with hypo-allergenic oatmeal shampoos (aloe-oatmeal combinations are best). Bathing can help remove any allergens that are sticking to him and making him itchy. And as long as an anti-itch shampoo is used, his skin won’t dry out even with weekly bathing.
• Trying a stronger, but gentle, shampoo if itching gets worse. (See recommendations below.)
• Temporarily using a prescription antihistamine (with a very low dose of prednisone) to break the itch cycle. While it’s not desirable to have a dog on prednisone for a long period of time, the amount in this antihistamine is a temporary solution to help Gunther stop scratching.

As you can see, Dr. Wiltzius is a fantastic vet. If you live in the area, your fur kids will be in great hands by having her as their veterinarian. She practices at River Road Animal Hospital in Puyallup. Stay tuned for more informative videos from our visit with Dr. Wiltzius

Recommended Pet Shampoos:

Here are some great shampoos we found that can help a dog with itchy skin:

Canine Earth Roll Over Oatmeal Aloe Skin and Coat Cleanser Shampoo For Dogs.

Castor & Pollux Head to Tail Aloe Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats

Pet Naturals of Vermont Soothe Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats

Trying to envision 10 year-old, 150 pound Cane Corso living life as a canine amputee while battling bone cancer, was difficult for Fortis’ vet to imagine.  He only gave Fortis a “4″ out of “10″ in rating him as a candidate for amputation.

But Fortis’ Dad, Brett, knew better. He knew that Fortis had the drive and enthusiasm to face any obstacle, head on and with dignity. “Fortis,” says Brett, “Is my hero, my best friend, and I love him more than words permit. He is a fighter for sure. . .”

Nearly one year later, Fortis has beaten the odds, despite a leg injury and even after lung mets were discovered.

Fortis celebrated his 11 month ampuversary yesterday.

On behalf of this entire community, we send our love and biggest hoppy dances out to Fortis in Austin, Texas!

How Fortis Fights Cancer

We asked Brett if he could share some of the facts surrounding Fortis’ diagnosis, treatments, and his overall philosophy for coping with bone cancer. Here’s what he had to say:

Type of cancer: Osteosarcoma

Diagnosed: 01/23/2010, right rear leg amputated on February 3, 2010.

Age: 10 yrs

Chemo Treatments? Chemo was not given mainly for two reasons. First, I wasn’t totally convinced of its effectiveness. Secondly, Fortis injured his remaining knee shortly after his surgery.

I was not going to put him through another surgery. I felt there was a high likelihood that his body would fail him before the cancer reappeared.

Of course, I was wrong and this hasn’t been the case. So now, I am left with wonder as to whether I made the right choice. I have really struggled with this subject. I go back and forth on how I feel about chemo. I’m not positive I even know for sure what I would decide today if the journey was just beginning.

Lung Mets Discovered: 08/13/2010

Medications: NSAID’s Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Piroxicam, Fentanyl Patch and Tramadol (for post surgery pain relief), Zeniquin and Cephalexin (Antibiotics), Beano and Pepcid AC (for gas and upset stomach), Prednisolone (started on 09/03/2010 “lung met burst”). Accupunture and chiropractic treatments (monthly).

No side effects.

Fortis’ Diet and Supplements? Wellness Core Grain Free Kibbles (main diet), Wellness wellbites and biscuits, NB Beef log, raw meat (as snacks and treats), Glucosamine (Joints), K-9 Immunity, K9 Transfer Factor, K9 Omega (Initially were given)

What Do You Contribute Fortis’ Longevity To?

I suppose I would most contribute Fortis’ longevity to love, prayer and the stress free environment we have tried so hard to give him.

Secondly, early detection and the amputation. The amputation removed the main tumor and Fortis’ end would have surely come much earlier otherwise.

I also feel the chiropractic and acupuncture treatments have helped to keep him as mobile as possible.

Lastly, I feel an active lifestyle has greatly contributed to his longevity.

The consistent swimming, car rides, trips to the park, and outdoor time around the house has aided in weight control, muscle tone, and most importantly an energetic, alert and high spirited Fortis in my opinion!

Brett and Fortis’ Advice for Coping with Bone Cancer

My advice would be to educate yourself and your family as much as possible.

Tripawds is not only a great source of information but the compassion and support of this wonderful community will give you strength and comfort during the tough times.

Seek second opinions when possible and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Knowledge is your greatest defense against fear, guilt, and worry. Don’t let these emotions rob you of your joy and happiness. Remember, there are no right or wrong choices.

Most have cancer, some chased one too many cars, a few suffered at the hands of horrible humans, and others came into the world as Tripawds. Despite the tragedy that has befallen them, our Tripawd warriors fight on, and live life to the fullest despite adversity and illness.

Every new member who arrives here serves to remind us about what’s really important in life: loving the people around you, and having a good time even when life feels like the pits.

Many of our friends earn their wings far too soon. Their losses reverberate throughout this community, but in the spirit of our Tripawd Warriors, we fight on. With their lessons staying strong in our hearts, we are here to help newcomers, share information, find Tripawds homes, and kick butt to put an end to canine bone cancer.

We salute everyone who has ever shared a story about their Tripawd, joined us in the Forums or in the Chat, and blogged about their beloved Tripawd. Thank you for making Tripawds such a helpful and supportive environment for so many. This community would be nothing without you.

Let us take a moment to honor our heroic Tripawds, their siblings and close friends, who earned their wings this year:

• Gambit
• Maximutt
• Raven
• Paris
• Caira Sue
• Supai
• Killer
• Eva
• Zoe
• Tehya
• Jif
• McGwire
• Don
• Havannah Jack
• OJ
• Dunc
• Henri
• Maggie
• Oscar
• Ruthie
• Magic
• Etta
• Buddy
• Harley
• Chaser
• Toto
• Oslo
• Beaner
• Skyler
• Daisy
• Ronnie
• Polo
• Noah
• Sophie
• Gus
• Shadow
• Titus
• Max
• Girl Noel
• Zeke
• Jersey May
• Sampson
• Captain Jack
• Debo
• Molly
• Riley
• JD
• Tshuvah
• Ginger
• Honey
• Shelli Belle
• Rosie
• Chance
• Sadie Bear
• Kobe
• Achilles
• Charlie
• Tai
• Ragley
• Smokey
• Myla
• Harley
• Kona Kai
• Zack
• Denali
• Pez
• Indi
• Ruby
• Mackenzie
• Xena

Pawrents, please accept our deepest condolences for your tremendous loss. We are so very sorry.

If your beloved pup’s name isn’t on here, we sincerely apologize, it was a mistake. All of these heroes were recognized in our Coping with Loss Discussion Forum. We may have accidentally missed the names of beloved pups whose parents only write in their Blog, not in the Forums. Please share their names with us in the comments section below.

Thank you for being here everyone, we look forward to another great year ahead with our Tripawds family.

Fight on, Tripawds, fight on!