Zoey Halko
“I am Zoey. I spent the first year of my life wandering around lost and looking for a home. A shelter picked me up, and I was quickly adopted by my new, loving family in 2004. In March 2011, when I was 7 years old, I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. This disease spreads very quickly, and it was possible that I might only have a couple months left here with my family, but a surgery called a Mandibulectomy could give me a 50% chance to live longer. Later that week, I spent two days in the hospital getting my surgery. What the surgeon did was remove half of my lower jaw bone. It took me a few weeks to recover, but soon enough I was as good as new! I could chew on toys, eat my normal food, and play the same way I always did! The cancer went into remission for about two years. In November 2013, after developing a slight cough, I was told that the cancer had returned; this time it had spread to my chest. There was too much to remove this time around, so I was put on a drug called Palladia. This medication slowed down the growth and spread of the tumors for nearly a year and a half, which was amazing. I beat the odds for a long time and cherished every moment I got to spend with my humans and my brother, Charlie. There were fundraisers to help pay for my medication, and my story was shared with hundreds of people.”
(from Ruthie, Zoey’s Mom) We had to say goodbye to our precious Zoey on July 26, 2015, less than a month after the calendar contest ended. She fought hard for four long years. In her last days here, she went to the beach, the park, restaurants, and she even went canoeing. In her life, she got to go on more adventures than some people even get to go on. I have no regrets and I am happy that she got to live such an amazing life with us. The outpouring of love for Zoey that we received both in person from loved ones and also from people we had never met but who followed Zoey’s journey online was overwhelming yet comforting. I feel honored that my girl and her story touched so many people. She continues to serve as an inspiration for others going through the same thing. It is an honor that she has a spot in the 2016 “Cancer Can’t Keep a Good Dog Down” calendar. Zoey is truly an example of living life to the fullest, never giving up, and cherishing every moment with those you love. She was always full of love and happiness, no mater what. Hopefully someday there will be a cure for canine cancer, and I will continue to donate and raise money towards canine cancer research and medication.
“That’s one Hell of an Amen, that’s the only way to go. Fighting the good fight, til the good Lord calls you home. So be well my friend, ’til I see you again. This is our last goodbye, but it’s a Hell of an Amen.” (“One Hell Of An Amen” by Brantley Gilbert), In loving memory of my best friend, Zoey. 10/14/03 – 7/25/15
