“The love of a dog is a pure thing. He gives you a trust which is total. You must not betray it.” Michel Houellebecq
In This Issue: YES! There’s Still Time to Enter and Vote in the 2020 “Cancer Can’t Keep a Good Dog Down” Calendar Contest; 5 Ways To Prevent Skin Cancer In Your Dogs This Summer; Your Drinking Water May Harbor Cancer-Causing Nitrate: Study; Pup of the Month; How You Can Help.
Don’t Miss Out! There’s Still Time To Make Your Pup A Star!
Still Time To Enter and Vote!
This is the 12th year of producing our beautiful tribute to Cancer Heroes everywhere. Don’t miss your chance to enter, or vote for your favorite canine cancer heroes!
Enter the contest to HONOR your personal canine cancer hero, PROMOTE awareness of canine cancer and FUNDRAISE for cancer research to benefit pets and people.
If you have not already entered, there’s still time to make your dog a star!
Voting for the 2020 contest ends on 6/30.
Any pet with a minimum of 50 votes will be included in the calendar gallery.
Click HERE to register and start your dog’s path to fame!
If you have any questions about the contest, or technical issues, please contact calendar@puppyup.org.
Good luck!
The Rules Are Simple:
Who can enter? Anyone with a dog who currently has or has had cancer (living or passed), including dogs who have entered before.
How do I enter the contest? Register your dog as a participant in the contest ($25 entry fee).
If you want to enter more than 1 dog, there will be a separate registration with fee for each of them.
What do I do next? Customize your fundraising page with their photo and their story, showing how cancer has touched their life and yours.
Share your page with friends and family. Ask them for help in promoting your dog.
How does voting work? Voting begins as soon as you enter and ends at midnight, EDT on June 30th.
Your $25 registration fee applies as 25 votes for your dog. Votes are $1.00 each; minimum donation is $5.00.
Your voting dollars go to fund cutting-edge research in comparative oncology, that branch of research that benefits both companion animals and humans in our fight against cancer.
Who wins? A minimum of 13 pets with the highest number of votes win a prominent place in the calendar with their photo and story.
Even if you don’t have a dog in the contest, we hope you’ll vote for these beautiful heroes!
5 Ways To Prevent Skin Cancer In Your Dogs This Summer
Advice on how to spot the signs of sunburn in dogs and how to protect them from skin cancer.
Dogs love to head outside during the hot summer months. From beach trips to running around the park and heading on dog-friendly staycations, there are plenty of ways for them to soak up the sun. But it’s vital that owners ensure their dogs are cool and comfortable in the heat and learn how to quickly spot any signs of skin cancer.
Caused by over exposure to the sun, skin cancer is most common with dogs who have a thin coat or a lack of fur. Studies conducted by the Bluecross have shown that compulsive licking in certain areas can also damage the skin and cause a greater chance of skin cancer.
Signs your dog is sunburnt
Similar to humans, you will notice red patches on your dog’s skin. Lumps, bumps and changes in the texture of their skin could be a sign of something more serious.
Some of the most common areas for dogs to get sunburnt are…
- ear tips
- the belly
- skin around the lips
- the bridge of the nose
How can you protect your dog from sunburn?
“From using sun-screen wipes to knowing the early signs of sun damage, it’s important for owners to be clued-up on how to properly protect their dogs,” Richard Stetterwall, general manager at Rover, explained to the Metro.
“What’s more, overheating can also cause heat stroke in dogs – a state of extreme hyperthermia – so it’s really important to make sure you’re taking the proper precautions whilst your dog’s enjoying the sun.”
Some easy ways you can protect dogs while they play outside include…
- Using a dog suncream spray (or sunscreen wipes if you find this easier) (Do NOT use people suncream/sunscreen!)
- Get your dog a sunhat to reduce the risk of sunstroke
- Remember to reapply sunscreen if your dog runs into water
- Limit your dog’s exposure during the hottest times of the day
- Create a shaded space for your dog to relax outside
Monitor your dog’s sun exposure, keeping a close eye on how long they spend in the sun. During the height of summer it can be tempting to spend most of the day outside with your pup, but remember to check their skin regularly and continue to apply sunscreen.
Do head to your local vet if you notice your dog’s sunburn may seem more severe!
Your Drinking Water May Harbor Cancer-Causing Nitrate: Study
From HealthDay
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, June 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Millions of tons of nitrate from industrial farming find their way into America’s drinking water each year, causing thousands of cases of cancer and other health problems, an environmental advocacy group says. [emphasis added]
In a new report, researchers from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) quantify the risk. They say nitrate is responsible for nearly 12,600 cases of cancer a year.
“Industrialized farming relies heavily on nitrate fertilizers that can run off into the water table used by drinking water utilities,” said Sydney Evans, a science analyst at EWG.
The risk varies from region to region, she said, noting that many small farming communities have the highest nitrate levels in their water — and the highest risk. Iowa and California, two heavily agricultural states, were found to have the most nitrate-related cancer cases.
A Yale University researcher who reviewed the report said the danger it highlights is clear and exists throughout the country.
“An immediate response is warranted, so that we are not poisoning our water to produce our food,” said Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center in New Haven, Conn.
The report said 80% of the nitrate-related cancers were colorectal, with ovarian, thyroid, kidney and bladder cancer accounting for the rest. Treatment costs up to $1.5 billion a year, according to the report.
Nitrate in tap water also has been tied to serious health issues for infants, the researchers said. Among them: nearly 3,000 babies with very low birth weight; more than 1,700 preterm births; and 41 cases of neural tube defects each year in the United States.
Find the rest of the article here.
Pup of the Month — Sparky Jones
Sparky Jones
(Sheryl Jones) This is Sparky. Sparky was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma in early 2009. Needless to say, my partner, Pamela, and I were devastated by the diagnosis. We were willing to do anything we could to try and save him. He went through several rounds of chemotherapy. When we did a recheck partway through, it was clear the therapy wasn’t working. All it did was make him miserable.From that day forward Sparky ate whatever he wanted. He was incontinent but we were willing to put up with it. Our last day together was marvelous. Even though he had lost most of his hair and had difficulty urinating, he was a happy guy. We spent the day at the beach. That evening, Sparky made it clear to us that he wanted to go ahead. It was as if he wanted to give us one last great day together before he said goodbye. This picture was taken on that final day.
Sparky was a contestant in the 2015 Calendar Contest.
How You Can Help
“We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.”
Just like there are many different breeds of dogs, The Puppy Up Foundation, needs many different volunteers to help the organization. No matter where you live or how much time you have to offer, there is a role for you.
Are you detailed-oriented, creative and artistic, great at internet research or making phone calls? Would you like to volunteer at fun, educational events? Share your interests and talents and help raise awareness and funding for canine cancer and comparative oncology.
Donate to the Cause
It’s estimated that between 4 and 6 million dogs die from cancer each year and recently it was announced that 36 children a day are diagnosed with cancer. Our pets and our children are being attacked by this deadly disease. Your donation to The Puppy Up Foundation will help further our mission of discovering the causes of cancers and their common link in both pets and people.
Your gift is very much appreciated and fully deductible as a charitable contribution. The Puppy Up Foundation is a 501 C(3) organization and our tax ID number is 47-2319212. All transactions conducted on our Web site are encrypted using a secure server to protect your privacy. All donations are final. All transactions are happening in the United States.
We’d love to see you and your pups at one of our PuppyUp Walks. Our PuppyUp Walks really are a lot of fun, and a great way to meet new people and share experiences, ideas, stories, and information. Many of the people we meet through the walks become life-long friends.
If there isn’t a Walk in your area, please follow this link and learn how you can make one happen. And check back often to our upcoming walks, as we are booking walks around the country throughout the year. Puppy Up!
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Helping The Puppy Up Foundation
Every time you shop at Kroger and use your Rewards Plus Card you can help us earn money. All you have to do is log in to your Kroger account and click on Community Awards. Search for The Puppy Up Foundation either by name or IQ193 and click enroll. Don’t forget to use your card each time you shop at any Kroger.
Thank you for your support!
We can always use your help. If you’re interested, send me an mail at ginger@puppyup.org.
Sincerely,
Ginger Morgan, Executive Director
The Puppy Up Foundation
