Dexter — Canine Cancer Hero
Dexter is the Canine Cancer Hero for the PuppyUp & Putt It In Golf Tournament, coming up this August 27 at TPC Canyons Course, 23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio, 78261.
From Dexter’s Dad
I rescued Dexter in January 2010. He cowered in a corner of a cold, dark, shelter floor. With just hours to spare before he was to be euthanized, he was pulled from the shelter and transported immediately to my vet in San Diego, California.
At the shelter, they thought he was 4 years old and said he had skin issues. The fact was, he was emaciated, had no ears, and was beaten down and spiritually broken. Signs of abuse and neglect showed in his eyes and body. He was covered in scars and my vet determined he had been a bait dog. His age was really about 9. He had a softball-sized retention cyst on a salivary gland in his neck that the vet thought was due to trauma, possibly by hanging or some other form of abuse. He had very few teeth and what teeth he had looked like they’d been filed down. Dexter underwent emergency surgery due to botched neutering at the shelter. He also had surgery on his salivary gland.
Dexter had obviously lived a life of abuse. He cowered at everything and would shake if my voice was a certain tone or if I raised my hand to reach for something. He was literally afraid of his own shadow.
My first intention when I rescued him was to get him healthy and happy, and find him a new home. But slowly Dexter started to trust me, and as the days passed his smile began to emerge, and there was a light in his eyes that showed a sense of hope and security. At that point I promised him he would never be hurt again and he would live out his life with me.
After a few months together it was apparent that the physical abuse he had endured had other effects on his body. When his lower spine was barely touched he would cry in pain. He wouldn’t jump on the couch or give me his bear hugs. We went back to the vet and x-rays showed more signs of trauma to his back and lower spine — likely from being beaten. Nerve damage and arthritis in his spine due to the trauma were also apparent, and he has Spondylosis.
On September 29th, 2013 Dexter was diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumor (MCT). He underwent cryotherapy ― the freezing of the tumor to kill the diseased tissue. He is also on various immune boosters to help with his immune system and fight the cancer. He has had MCT twice and both were removed with clean margins. Recently, Dexter became weak and sick. An ultrasound was done and a mass and internal bleeding were discovered. He had emergency surgery and he was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma.
But none of these obstacles has deterred him. At the age of 12, in May 2013, Dexter earned his Canine Good Citizen Certificate. A true ambassador for the bully breed, he is also a strong voice against dog fighting. And he was recently selected to be the Canine Cancer Hero for the PuppyUp & Putt It In Golf Tournament this August in San Antonio, Texas. Sign up for the tournament here.
Today Dexter remains smiling, his spirit no longer broken. On January 2015 we celebrated his 15th birthday. He has a best friend named Smokey, plays like a puppy, and loves his Kong toys. He’s like a little puppy in a big dog’s body. He is eager to please, no longer cowers, and is a big cuddly teddy bear. I am proud of him and the growth he has shown in 5 ½ years. He is a goofy lug who wants nothing more than to be a family member, and he has that with us.
The PuppyUp & Putt It In Golf Tournament is on August 27 at TPC Canyons Course, 23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio, 78261.
Dexter also has his own Facebook page. It’s called Dexter’s Bucket List. Stop by his Facebook page and give him an encouraging word and congratulate him on all his accomplishments.
