What a joy to hear he’s still doing great!.

Greetings from Eisen

“Well, friends, a few weeks ago, I turned 13. As I understand it, that’s pretty old for my “breed” (whatever that word means!). Since Mama tells me several times a day how handsome I am, I’m guessing that “handsome” is my “breed”!

My dinner that night was pretty extra great, I got my favorite “cheat” snack: a full Quarter pounder with cheese (without the yucky human fixin’s on it: just meat, cheese, bun!)! Oh boy, just thinking about it now makes my mouth drool that good kinda drool that goes from my lips all the way down to the floor in one solid stream! YUM!

I might have to give Mama ‘the look’ to see if she will go get me one tonight. hmmmmm…

For those of you keeping count, I am now over 4 years post cancer. Mama credits it to the grace of God, the power of prayer, my own strength of spirit (after all, my name means “iron” in German!), and of course the natural remedies that I have taken since the beginning of my journey as a tripawd.

It’s getting a bit tough in the “being 13 department.” My body is feeling the age and my muscles have gotten kinda wimpy which makes it hard for me to get up and down and all around, if you know what I mean.

But, I’m a blessed guy. I have a Mama who helps me with all that, doesn’t complain (too much) when I have to expel some stuff in the house (again, if you know what I mean) and she has to clean it up, and she brings me water when I’m too tired to get up to get it. Yes, sometimes I do milk that one. It’s cool having a human hand-servant!

My girlfriend Daphne is as gorgeous and loving as ever and I have a new little buddy named Gracie. She’s a small tortoise shell colored cat who looks like she is still a kitten, and she is funny! For some reason, she likes chewing and rolling on my feet.

Mama tells me that we remind her of some Warner Bros cartoon characters (huh?) named Marc Anthony and Pussyfoot/Cleo. Let me tell you: Gracie is a great napping buddy.

Sometimes I forget how small she is and how big I am and I just flop my whole head across her warm soft belly like she is my personal pillow. Gracie doesn’t like that too much, but she doesn’t hold it against me.

Time for me to grab some shut eye. Gotta grab some beauty sleep to hold true to my ‘breed.’

Blessings my friends,

Eisen

Learn More About Eisen’s Amazing Life

Tripawd Talk Radio: Listen to Eisen’s Momma StacyDiscuss His Holistic Cancer Care

Birthday Boy Eisen Beats the Bone Cancer Odds

2 Years and More, Eisen Fights Bone Cancer with Homeopathy

Happy Ampuversary to Eisen and Calpurnia

Jerry and Eisen Have a Six-Legged Play Date

Eisen Update

Eisen Seeks Pre-Amputation Advice

Wyatt isn’t a Tripawd because of cancer, but when the lump appeared last Saturday, we couldn’t help but have flashbacks to when Tripawds Founder Jerry was diagnosed.

Wyatt is only 2.5 years old, but we’ve seen Tripawds as young as 15 months get diagnosed. After his local vet couldn’t diagnose the swelling, we feared that this awful disease was happening to us again.

Old Shoes Hurt

Fortunately we’re only an hour from one of the best veterinary teaching hospitals in the world, Colorado State University. That’s where Wyatt had three of the hospital’s most experienced soft tissue surgeons looking at his stump this week, trying to figure out where the swelling was coming from.

The wait was excruciating and put us right back into the shoes everyone wears when they first join this community. Wearing them again was painful.

Good News: No Cancer

Tests confirmed he didn’t have cancer, so Wyatt went into surgery on Wednesday for 2.5 hours to uncover the cause. After digging and probing, surgeons concluded that Wyatt’s amputation site was infected from “foreign material” that was trying to work its way out of his stump. The material and infected tissue is being sent out to a lab for evaluation and a final diagnosis.

Wyatt is finally home, high as a kite on Tramadol and looking very spacey, nervous and tired. Here we are once again, taking care of a post-op Tripawd.

We’re a little smarter than we were last time, but it’s still nerve wracking. Wyatt’s wearing a surgical drain that been stitched into his side. The drain looks like a hand grenade and we’re supposed to empty the fluid as it accumulates. This is something new to us.

He’s also on pain pills and anti-biotics, has post-surgery bruising and we need to watch him carefully until we take him back to CSU on Monday to have the drain removed.

The Bad News: Hip Displaysia

We’re thrilled Wyatt doesn’t have cancer, but at the same time, we were devastated to hear the surgeon tell us that he definitely has a good case of hip displaysia.

As a rear-leg amputee, hip displaysia is not going to be easy for Wyatt to cope with as he ages. Some day far in the future, the condition will impact all of us in a big way.

But for now, we are going to take things one day at a time, and enjoy every minute of our young, wild and vibrant Tripawd’s life.

Thank you everypawdy for your concern about this crazy kid. We’ll keep you posted when we have the lab results next week.

Join the forum discussion on this topic.

We knew it the first time we laid eyes on her. She was like a supernova just waiting for the right time to explode.

Today, we’re thrilled to announce that Tripawd Member and Girldog Extraordinaire, Miss Codie Rae, can now add “Hollywood Superstar” to her street cred.

Tripawd Member Stars in New Patrick Stump Video

In January rock star Patrick Stump (of the band Fall Out Boy) was looking for a three legged dog to be in his new video for Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia) from his brand new Truant Wave EP.

We happily fulfilled his request and brought the incredible Codie Rae to the attention of producer Joe Wein.

Today Patrick released his new video which stars the one and only, Codie Rae!

Click here to view the embedded video.

The video shoot took place in January at a dog park in the Hollywood Hills.

It was a grueling day as three Tripawd Members Travis Ray, Wyatt Ray and Codie Rae vied for the attention of the cameramen.

In the end, Codie’s gazelle-like intensity caught the eye of the Hollywood dream machine as she leaped her way into stardom and into the hearts of Patrick Stump and fans everywhere.

For the first time ever, Codie Rae’s unequaled zest for life and overly-enthusiastic prey drive is being rewarded with instant fame and glory.

In the last 12 hours, media and fan feedback on YouTube has been phenomenal:

“It may very well be the best video Stump’s ever been associated with . . . the end result is a truly captivating, unapologetically positive experience.” – MTV

“The dog made me cry o.o”

“perfect editting–slow motion dog running on the most building part of the song~”

“I almost started to cry, that dog is just so beautiful!”

“I wish I had three legs too… “

“I’m not really sure why, but this video made me cry when it came to the German Shepherd.”

“When I saw that dog with no leg manage a leap I almost cried :’)”

“Thumbs up for the awesome three legged dog ”

Who knew that a girldog who started out abused and neglected on the mean streets of Oaktown could find such fame and glory with a beloved rock star like Patrick? Dreams do come true in Hollywood!

Be sure to tell everyone you know about the world’s newest Tripawd Rock Star, and get your Codie Rae-inspired Tripawd gear soon, before it sells out.

This is such a huge public awareness victory for the capabilities of three legged dogs everywhere. We’re so proud of Codie and are proud to say “we knew her when…”

Now, see if you can catch her and get her pawdograph . . .we’re betting it’ll be worth a million bones soon!

Join the forum discussion on this topic.

Here at Tripawds, we share information about our dog’s journeys with amputation and oftentimes bone cancer, but one thing we can’t emphasize enough is that we aren’t vets.

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

Join the forum discussion on this topic.

How could we have ever known that this little shelter puppy we brought home in January, 1999, would grow up to be our wise Zen master, our Canine Fun Officer and be a source of hope and inspawration to so many people around the world?

It’s hard to imagine what our lives would be like if we had never laid eyes on the one puppy in the shelter who had destroyed every toy in his kennel, who barked, jumped right into our laps, licked our faces and said “get me out of here!”

The world hasn’t been the same since.

Thank you, Jerry.

We will love you forever.

Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is but a vision.

But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day.

-Sanskrit Proverb.

Join the forum discussion on this topic.

The Tripawds crew has been working hard summarizing all of the Amputation and Cancer Care Survey submissions that pawrents have completed so far.

As far as we know, the Amputation and Cancer Care Survey is the first of it’s kind to ever address amputation and the Tripawd lifestyle.

We hope that pawrents will be able to see what others have experienced with their own Tripawds, and find the kind of  information they need to make smart decisions for their pup.

Eventually you can download the information as one spreadsheet to draw and share your own conclusions, but first here’s some basic data for your review.

Meanwhile, please keep in mind that:

• We aren’t statisticians
• This is a small, relatively unscientific sampling
• Some questions were left blank within each survey

Tripawds Amputation and Cancer Care Survey Analysis Part 1:
Locations, Gender, Amputation Reasons and Surgery Side Effects

Where are All the Tripawds?

California Tripawds make up the majority of members, with 16 reponses from the Golden State. Texas and Colorado follow closely, and then the rest are thinly scattered in groups of 3 to 6 per state throughout North America. Overseas members from as far away as Portugal and New Zealand also responded but comprised less than 5 responses.

Reasons for Becoming a Tripawd

Survey responses show that the number of male Tripawds to females is evenly split. But, bone cancer has affected more female pups than males here; 43 females became Tripawds because of bone cancer, versus 33 males.

Most interesting of all, it seems that more male Tripawds are missing a leg because of accidents and abuse (10 total), versus only three females.

Females

• Cancer = 43
• Accident = 3
• Birth Defect = 1
• Bacterial infection = 1

Males

• Cancer = 33
• Accident = 9
• Birth defect = 2
• Bacterial infection = 2
• Abuse = 1

Breeds Most Affected by Bone Cancer and Amputation

Most Tripawds members join the club because they’ve been diagnosed with bone cancer. According to the Veterinary Cancer Center of Santa Fe, each year over 8,000 dogs are diagnosed with bone cancer in the U.S., and most are large dogs. Our small survey sample backs this up.

Most Common Tripawd Breeds:

• German Shepherd / German Shepherd Mixes = 10
• Labrador / Labrador Mixes = 10
• Golden Retriever = 8
• Rottweiler = 7

Other Tripawd Breeds:

Alaskan Malamute = 1 (cancer)
All American=9 (4 cancer / 2 accident/injury / 1 birth defect / 1 unknown)
American Bulldog=2 (2 cancer)
Australian Kelpie Mix=1 (cancer)
Australian Shepherd=1 (accident)
Australian Shepherd Mix=1 (bacterial infection)
Belgian Sheepdog=1 (cancer)
Border Collie Cross=1 (cancer)
Boxer=1 (accident)
Boxer Husky Mix=1 (cancer)
Cane Corso=1 (cancer)
Chihuahua=1 (accident)
Deerhound=1 (cancer)
Doberman Mix=3 (3 cancer)
English Mastiff=1 (cancer)
English Shepherd=1 (cancer)
English Springer Spaniel=1 (bacterial infection)
Flat Coated Retriever=2 (2 cancer)
Flat Coated Retriever Mix w/Spaniel=1 (accident)
Great Dane=2 (cancer)
Great Pryenees Mix (Samoyed)=1 (bacterial infection)
Great Pyrenees Mix (Collie)=1 (cancer)
Greyhound=1 (cancer)
Jack Russell=1 (cancer)
Jindo=1 (accident)
Leonberger=1 (cancer)
Pitt Bull=2 (1 cancer / 1 bacterial infection)
Pitt Bull Mix=4 (cancer)
Rat Terrier=1 (accident)
Saint Bernard=1 (cancer)
Schnauzer = 1 (cancer)
Siberian Husky=4 (4 cancer)
Siberian Husky Mix w/Lab=1 (cancer)
Standard Poodle=1 (cancer)
Wheaten Terrier=1 (cancer)
Wolfdog=1 (cancer)

Common Post-Amputation Difficulties

While all dogs are different in how they respond to amputation surgery and recovery, the most common amputation surgery side effects are:

Bruising = 33
Emotional Distress=29
Appetite Loss=27
Restlessness=26
Mobility Problems=23
Seroma / Swelling=20
Constipation=17
Nausea=6
Bleeding=5
Diarrhea=3
Respiratory Problems=3
Phantom Pain = 1*

Three dogs were lucky enough to experience no symptoms at all!

Conclusion

We hope this has given you some good background information on the Tripawd journey. If you would like us to present the information in a different way, have questions or would like to add your feedback, please do in the Tips and Resources Forum Discussion we started for this post.

Stay tuned for our Downloads Blog post, where you’ll be able to download the survey in its entirety.

*We’re sure there are more Tripawds who experienced Phamtom Limb Pain, but we accidentally forgot to include it in the potential answers, and their pawrents didn’t mention it in the “other” field for this question.

But not all of the pups we meet because of Tripawds are three-legged; some actually have four! Hedi, a quadruped who became my YouTube friend in early 2007, was one of them.

When we met up with her in August of that year, we went on a play date. Romping through the pretty green fields where she explored behind her house was one of the highlights of our journey.

Our hearts were broken when we learned that Heidi passed away recently. She was one of the most gentle, sweet souls we have ever known. Her Shepherd spirit will always live on in our hearts.

And now, we’d like to pay tribute to Heidi, by sharing these fun YouTube videos we made together.

Here’s Heidi playing it cool the day we met:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And here’s a  video mashup that Heidi’s brother, Creekracer, and mine put together:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Run free Heidi, we love you.

You see, Martha and Ralph were not only responsible for introducing Wyatt Ray Dawg to my people. They have been generous enough to contribute to Tripawds in the past, and they are planning the upcoming Northern California Tripawds Party.

So please drop by their blog to read all about the Life & Times of Codie Rae, Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire, and leave them a gracious thank you comment for us.

You might notice how the Tripawds Rule! blog no longer has any banner ads. For details about this and other Tripawds Supporter blog enhancements, please read our Tripawds Supporter information.

As time went on, I tried to tell my pawrents that it was OK for them to want to share their life with another dog. And that dog didn’t even have to be a Tripawd, I just wanted them to be happy, to once again feel the joy at sharing life’s great wonders as a pack.

Throughout our travels together, we sought far and wide for land where I could live out my final days. Though I didn’t make it there with them, they did finally find my perfect resting place. Having made a vow to wait until they found our new mountain home, they now wondered if they were perhaps ready to open their hearts and welcome a new member to the pack.

In July, my friend Codie Rae’s pawrents, Martha and Ralph, posted this announcement about a young pup named Wyatt, who had just been rescued by some very kind people. Being just a little partial towards Shepherds, Wyatt’s big ears, deep eyes and handsome mugshot caught the attention of my pawrents.

“Did you see that Rescue Forums post that Codie Rae put up on the site?” my Dad said to Mom.

“He’s gorgeous!” Mom said.

Mom and Martha were soon on the phone talking about Wyatt. Mom wanted to learn more. Why was he a Tripawd? What was he like? Did he have any issues?

Seems that Wyatt is a well-bred Shepherd puppy who spent the first few months of his life tethered to a rope, in a backyard in Oakland, California. He was underfed and neglected by stupid humans that likely paid a lot of money for him, probably because they just wanted a guard dog. One day his cruel owners went outside and saw that Wyatt’s leg was tangled up in the rope for who knows how long. They took him to the vet to fix his leg, but it was beyond help. When the vet recommended amputation, the owners said forget it; euthanize him. They didn’t want a three legged Shepherd.

A kind vet tech at the clinic named Lucie said “No way!” She knew that Wyatt was destined for greater things, so she took him home, and called the good people at German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California for help. The group paid for Wyatt’s leg amputation, his post-op care, and all of the things necessary to help him get ready to find a loving home.

This group is the same one which helped save my friend Codie Rae from the exact same situation last year. In fact, Codie Rae was 8 months old at the time they found her, and she’s even from the same neighborhood! Her pawrents Martha and Ralph are active volunteers for the group, and that’s how they found out about Wyatt.

Finding out about Wyatt was such perfect timing; it seemed like the universe was conspiring to put him and my pawrents together.

See, last November when Mom and Dad met Codie Rae for the first time, it was only about a month after my passing. Mom and Dad were so heavy in mourning, that they just couldn’t imagine being able to bring another dog into their lives. Today, ten months later, it seemed only fitting that Codie Rae and her pawrents introduce them to the next great love of their lives; my legacy, Wyatt Ray Dawg.

Leg-a-cy. Get it?!

Last week, Mom and Dad went out to Northern California to get their stuff out of storage. Along the way, they made a stop in Oakland, to meet this very special Tripawd! Yes, it was puppy love at first sight. Wyatt made the three day journey back to Jerry’s Acres, and appears to be loving his new life.

And as my pawrents begin their new chapter in Colorado, Wyatt will be there alongside them to share all the joys that life has to offer. And, he’ll continue showing the world that “It’s better to hop on three legs than limp on four!” I’ll be watching over the pack as their travels continue.

Stay tuned for more details about our new Tripawds spokesdog, and read more about Wyatt on his Tripawds blog, Way to Go, Wyatt!

Did you know you can now sign up for your own free Tripawds blog? More big announcements about that coming up soon!

The following Guest Blog post was generously written by our friend Luna‘s Mom, Sandra Thomas, Owner/Breeder, Burghard Shepherds, Lake Mary, Florida.

After learning about Sandra’s generous donation to the AKC Canine Health Foundation in memory of her beloved Luna, we asked her if she would share her exciting story about the day she got to present the first “Luna Award” recently in Orlando, Florida.

Luna’s Memory Lives On

Shortly after my two year old black German Shepherd dog, “Luna” was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma on October 5th, 2007, I learned through the American Kennel Club AKC’s Canine Health Foundation of the research of Matthew Breen, PhD, (Professor Genomics), and Tessa Breen (Canine Genomics Sample Coordinator, Canine Cancer Genomics Program, North Carolina State University of Raleigh). I thought if nothing could be done for Luna, at least Luna might be able to do something for someone else. In fact, I enrolled all 12 of my dogs, including Luna’s parents and nine siblings, in his research program. I hoped that this family group might be useful to Dr. Breen in some way.

Luna had a long journey, she outlasted all of her vets’ predictions of two weeks to two months to live. She lived another 11 months after her formal diagnosis (and she had been limping several months prior to her diagnosis when we didn’t know what was wrong with her). Her journey included an initial surgery which removed part of the bone in her right hind leg to get the diagnosis, followed six months later with an amputation of the same leg, hemipelvectomy, chemotherapy, metronomics, and SAHA treatment. She lived life to the fullest as a “tripawd” for nearly another six months.

The Big Day: Presenting at Conference

When Luna, then 3 years old, died on September 16th, 2008, I wanted to do something to try to keep her memory alive and to help further research in the field of canine cancer. That is when I made a donation to Dr. Breen’s research program in memory of Luna.

In response to the donation, Dr. Breen suggested that part of the donation go to an award to the “best presentation or poster” at the “Genes, Dogs and  Cancer: 5th International Canine Cancer Conference” to be held February 13 – 15, 2009 at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Breen, who chaired the conference which was open to all scientists, veterinarians, and dog fanciers with a scientific interest in cancer, suggested we call the award the “Luna Award for Advances in Canine Cancer Research“. Dr. Breen felt that this award, in his words, would “help keep her memory alive, not just among ourselves, but across the broader canine cancer genomics community.” And, he invited me to present the award personally at the conference as another way to remember our special Luna .

Recently, the “Luna Award” became a reality. The award was given at a banquet held Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at the “Conservation Station” inside the Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World in front of 100 of the world’s leading canine cancer researchers. There were many researchers from all parts of the country who made exciting scientific presentations. Some of the researchers were those whom I contacted by phone after Luna’s diagnosis, including Dr. Cheryl London and Dr. William Kisseberth from The Ohio State University and Dr. Matthew Breen and Dr. Steven Suter from North Carolina State University at Raleigh (Dr. Suter is currently doing ground breaking bone marrow transplants on dogs with lymphoma and other types of canine cancer). In addition, Luna’s veterinarian, Dr. Rowan Milner, from the University of Florida in Gainesville had a poster presentation at this same conference. Some of the abstracts presented at the AKC Canine Health Foundation conference are listed here.

After corresponding by email with Dr. Breen and his wife, Tessa, for nearly a year, I finally met Dr. Breen at the conference hall and we discussed the award and who he felt would be the best recipient. We decided that a young researcher with a bright future would be an appropriate candidate. I was very excited about the presentation and wondered who would be selected that evening. After the lectures were completed for the day, everyone attending the conference boarded two large tour buses which took us from the Royal Plaza Hotel to a special private entrance at the Animal Kingdom Park. Once inside the park, we were dropped off at the “Conservation Station” where the evening’s events would unfold.

Behind the Scenes at Disneyworld

Before the dinner, we were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the Animal Kingdom “hospital” which included three operating rooms, a radiology suite, a laboratory, and other facets of the health care system that Disney had created for its many wild and exotic animals, both those in captivity as well as those who lived in the wild on the huge Disney property. The tour was fascinating. Safari clad Disney employees also walked around during the outdoor cocktail hour and indoors during dinner carrying live animals, including an Indigo snake (which I petted), and a “Screaming Hairy Armidillo” (who was very quiet in his little acrylic cage), and a skink.

At the banquet, I was seated at a table with Dr. Breen and Dr. Terry Warren, who is the new Executive Director and President of the American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation. I had a great time getting to know them better and learning more about their goals for canine cancer research. I learned that the Luna Award would be one of three awards presented that evening, and that the Luna Award would be the final award announced.

When it was time for the Luna Award to be announced, Dr. Breen invited me to join him at the microphone. He had asked me to speak for several minutes about Luna before the winner would be announced. As I held up a picture of a portrait I had done of Luna by Christine Billis, I shared my thoughts over the microphone to a hushed room:

“Strong. Fast. Brave. These are the words which described my beautiful black 2 year old German Shepherd Dog, ‘Luna vom Burghard.’ She was an active and athletic dog who was one of ten puppies born to my two German imports, Eik vom Blausteinsee and Kora von der Bultersteige. This puppy had an abundance of joie de vivre, prey drive, and personality.

“Shock. Disbelief. Despair. These are the words that described what I felt on October 5, 2007 when I received a phone call from Luna’s vet with a stunning diagnosis. Her words hit me like bullets: “Hemangiosarcoma. Primary bone. Unusual presentation…A few months to live…Options: amputation, hemipelvectomy……chemo…no cure……aggressive.” That night as I walked Luna in the back yard it was raining hard–it matched my emotions. I wrote in my diary that night, “I don’t know what is falling harder, the rain or my tears.

As a breeder and owner of 12 German Shepherds, I had not encountered this disease. I didn’t know anything about it. Countless hours of research on the Internet, however, made me very familiar with this horrible condition. Some of you here tonight may remember my calling you about Luna last year; sadly, I learned that there was little that could be done. Shortly after Luna was diagnosed, I learned through the AKC’s Canine Health Foundation of the research of Dr. Matthew Breen and Tessa Breen. I thought if nothing could be done for Luna, at least Luna might be able to do something for someone else. In fact, I enrolled all 12 of my dogs in his research program. I hoped that this family group might be useful to Dr. Breen in some way.

Through amputation, hemipelvectomy, chemo, metronomics, and SAHA, nearly a year after diagnosis, Luna’s spirit shone through the adversity like a full silvery moon in a clear night sky. As hard as we tried, though, you know how this story ends. Metastases to the lungs and brain forced me to bring her young life to an end on September 16, 2008.

As the president of the American Hemochromatosis Society, I know the importance of genetics and am a staunch supporter of genetic research. I feel that genetics hold so many answers for our medical mysteries. It is an honor to be here tonight to present the “Luna Award for Advances in Canine Cancer Research” in memory of my beautiful German Shepherd dog–Luna–who fought bravely and was an inspiration to those who knew her. I would like to applaud the work and research that all of you are doing; and, your ongoing quest to find answers to these canine cancers, answers which may help humans as well. I wish you God’s speed in your quest for a cure for cancer; I know that it can be done.”

The Winner: Jennifer McCleese, Ohio State University

My short speech was met with warm applause and then Dr. Breen announced the winner, a young researcher, Jennifer McClesse, from the Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

I had the opportunity to speak with Jennifer after dinner, and learned that she received her BS in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky followed by her DVM from Oklahoma State University. She entered the combined PhD/Clinical Pathology Residency at The Ohio State University in 2005, joining Dr. Cheryl London’s lab to research the mechanisms involved in malignant transformation which promote the development of osteosarcoma, as well as novel therapies for treatment. I was also very interested to learn that she is from a small town in Kentucky, just outside of Lexington. My late mother, who died from hereditary hemochromatosis (iron overload disease) and who is the reason for my founding the American Hemochromatosis Society was born and raised in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, in the heart of the bluegrass, and very near Winchester, where Jennifer was born. In fact, my mother’s childhood home, is on the “Winchester Pike” which leads to Winchester. I thought that was a very interesting “coincidence”.

The following information explains more about the research of Dr. London and Jennifer:

The novel HSP90 inhibitor STA-1474 exhibits biologic activity against osteosarcoma cell lines.

Jennifer K. McCleese1, Misty D. Bear1, Stacey L. Fossey1, Robert M. Mihalek2, Kevin P. Foley2, Weiwen Ying2, James Barsoum2, Cheryl A. London1. 1Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 2Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp., Lexington, MA

Osteosarcoma (OSA), the most common malignant bone tumor in dogs and children occurs with a higher frequency in the canine (10,000 cases/yr) versus the human (1,000 cases/yr) population. In both species, no significant improvements in treatment have been made for over 15 yrs. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a molecular chaperone responsible for ensuring several kinases, hormone receptors, and transcription factors maintain an active functional state, represents an attractive therapeutic target for cancer since many of its client proteins contribute to tumor growth and survival. We hypothesized that Hsp90 exists in a multi-chaperone active complex in OSA cells, allowing selective targeting of malignant cells, promoting client protein down-regulation and subsequent cell death. To test this, we used a novel Hsp90 inhibitor, STA-12-1474, to block ATP-dependent Hsp90 activity. Our data demonstrate dose and time dependent inhibition of canine and human

OSA cell viability ultimately resulting in apoptosis, with enhanced sensitivity for malignant compared to normal canine osteoblasts. Hsp90 was associated with cochaperones p23 and Hop in canine OSA cells but not normal canine osteoblasts, indicating formation of an active complex in the malignant cells. Inducible Hsp70 levels increased with STA-12-1474 treatment, consistent with induction of cellular stress following Hsp90 inhibition. STA-12-1474 promoted down-regulation of rhHGF induced p-Met and Met as well as, p-Stat3, p-Akt and Akt, while total Stat3 levels remained unchanged. Loss of cell viability following STA-1474 treatment was enhanced in the presence of doxorubicin. STA-12-1474 inhibited tumor growth, promoted apoptosis and downregulated p-Met, Met, p-Akt, and Akt in OSA xenografts. In summary, these data indicate that Hsp90 represents a relevant target for therapeutic intervention in OSA.”

After the bus returned to the hotel, I gave Dr. Breen a copy of the “tripawds 2009 calendar” before I returned home. He loved the calendar and said he would put it up in his office. I pointed out Luna’s photo for the month of July with her colorful red, white, and blue bandana around her neck, and showed him the photo of “Jerry” on the cover of the calendar and explained who he was and what the Tripawds web site is all about. I heard from Dr. Breen a week later telling me that the calendar was now hanging in his research lab and being enjoyed by everyone there.

I learned that this conference is held every two years and I look forward to giving the Luna Award again in memory of Luna. It was indeed a memorable and special evening for me since it allowed me to once again share my thoughts about Luna and how much I loved her.”

Other links related to this story:

Man’s Best Friend Joins the Fight Against Cancer

Dog Genome Boosts Cancer Research

Canine Health Foundation Call for Abstracts PDF