“We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” – Sonia Johnson
Anniversary Issue: We remember, honor, celebrate, and look forward!
From $200.00 to $2.1 Million
Luke, Hudson, and Murphy making their way through Tennessee on the Columbia Turnpike.
The Beginning
After losing his first Great Pyrenees, Malcolm, to metastatic bone cancer, Luke Robinson set out to discover why. He sold his truck, put his possessions into storage, and headed out on March 16, 2008 with his two Great Pyrenees, Hudson and Murphy, on a 2,300 mile, 16 state, 826 day journey. They walked from town to town, sharing their story, meeting people and dogs with tragically similar experiences. By bringing awareness of the epidemic of cancer in pets to thousands, Luke and The Boys created a growing community of people who, to this day, continue to work together to find out why cancer is taking so many we love, and how we can stop it.
On June 19th, 2010, along with friends and family who joined them from around the country, Luke, Hudson, and Murphy finished their first walk, “From Austin to Boston,” ending at the Boston Common. But not surprisingly, the end of the First Walk (there would be one later on the West Coast as well), was just the beginning.
It started simply, with a man and his two dogs, just $200.00 to their names, and the gear on their backs, and evolved: first into 2 Dogs 2000 Miles, then to 2 Million Dogs and today, The Puppy Up Foundation.
Since its inception in 2010, The Puppy Up Foundation has devoted $2.1 million to fulfill its mission of bringing awareness of canine cancer, its similarities to human cancers, and funding research and education that benefit both pets and people.
All on a grass-roots scale. From $200.00 to $2.1 million.
Here is the research we have funded thus far. It is only the beginning! And it proves that a small group of determined people can change the course of history. We should all celebrate that.
Malcolm, Like Many Dogs, Had Bone Cancer
What Is Bone Cancer?
As many of you already know, osteosarcoma (bone cancer) refers to the most common bone tumor found in dogs. Bone cancer can affect any breed of dog, but it is more commonly found in the larger breeds. The disease is extremely aggressive and has a tendency to spread rapidly into other parts of the dog’s body (metastasize). There are treatment options available, but generally the long term prognosis for the animal can be poor.
Osteosarcoma can cause lameness, swelling, and intense pain, and occurs in more than 10,000 dogs each year in the USA. It is mostly found in the legs and arms (appendicular skeleton). In 75% of all cases, osteosarcoma starts in the long bones of the legs, most often affecting only one single leg. However, it can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the spine, ribs, jaw, and skull. The tumors grow within the bone itself, causing the bone to expand.
Osteosarcoma is very aggressive and is known for local invasion, where the tumor sends cells out into the surrounding bone. It usually grows very quickly, and can cause bone disintegration and/or bone production.
Unlike when Malcolm was diagnosed, there are now many options once bone cancer is diagnosed. In the past several years we have seen huge progress in the treatment of this disease. Thanks to excellent research, new surgical techniques and various chemotherapy protocols have been developed. Statistically, the longest survival rates are seen with a combination of amputation and chemotherapy. Amputation provides permanent relief of the horrible pain caused by bone cancer. Giant breeds and older dogs can function well after amputation, and most dogs are fully recovered from their surgery within two to three weeks.
Not every dog is a candidate for amputation or chemotherapy. Conservative yet aggressive therapy for non-surgical candidates includes radiation therapy, the use of intravenous or oral bisphosphonates and alternative oral chemotherapy regimens. All bone cancer dogs benefit from a change in diet, reducing carbohydrates which cancer cells need to grow. Holistic medicine is a valuable part of treatment, with the addition of supplements and immune boosters that strengthen the dog’s immune system.
Cancer is a word, not a sentence. Never give up. Believe in your dog. Every day is a lifetime. There are no wrong decisions, ever. Anything is possible, you just have to believe. If you, or someone you know, has a dog with bone cancer, please visit the online support group.
Sources:
Dogz Health https://www.dogzhealth.com/
Pet MD https://www.petmd.com/dog/
Neuter or Spay? Cancer risks. From Save-A-Dog http://www.saveadog.org/
Bone Cancer Dogs http://bonecancerdogs.org/
New Precision Medicine Treatment for Bone Cancer in Dogs Opens Door for Human Clinical Trials
From News Medical Life Sciences
MU (University of Missouri) veterinary oncologists develop a vaccine treatment for osteosarcoma, a common type of bone cancer in dogs, avoiding chemotherapy and opening the door for human clinical trials
In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists at the University of Missouri have helped advance a patient-specific, precision medicine treatment for bone cancer in dogs. By creating a vaccine from a dog’s own tumor, scientists worked with ELIAS Animal Health to target specific cancer cells and avoid the toxic side effects of chemotherapy, while also opening the door for future human clinical trials.
Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, is not common in humans, representing only about 800-900 new cases each year in the U.S. About half of those cases are reported in children and teens. However, for dogs this disease is much more common, with more than 10,000 cases a year occurring in the U.S.
“A vaccine is made out of the dog’s own tumor for the dog’s immune system to recognize,” said Jeffrey Bryan, a professor of oncology at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and director of Comparative Oncology Radiobiology and Epigenetics Laboratory. “The dogs received no chemotherapy and received only immunotherapy after their surgery. It’s the first time that dogs with osteosarcoma have experienced prolonged survival without receiving chemotherapy, which is really exciting.”
The article continues here.
Down Memory Lane
Hudson and Murphy visiting Erich on their way through Tennessee.
(Erich Trapp) There are hours and hours, days and days, and literally years and years of archived memories and stories that precede this Puppy Up Anniversary Celebration. Far too many for here. Instead of trying to pick a favorite few, I’ve given you links to our various incarnations so you can see our history unfold for yourselves. Some stories are funny (like a lesson learned: never eat Twinkies in a dark tent – it’s all fun and games until the food poisoning hits); some are frightening (like tornadoes touching down near camp). Some are true Americana: how many dogs do you meet who are town Mayor? Many stories are heart-wrenching (you’ll find lots of those), and many more are heart-warming (you’ll find lots of those too). Generally, I think we discovered people are largely kind-hearted, generous, and eager to listen, learn, share, be supportive, and yes, even loving. I mean, who couldn’t love Hudson and Murphy? (And Luke is OK too!)
There were in total about 4 of us who kept the blogs and on-line journals going throughout the history of the journey. Luke and I did most of them, but we had several guest bloggers and a few pinch-hitters as well. And we had communication tag-teams. When one person couldn’t get a cell signal with Luke, someone in another state would try. Back then, mobile phones couldn’t hold a charge for even a day, cell reception was worse than lousy and cost an arm and a leg, and Facebook was barely a thing. But somehow we managed to keep in touch. Luke even managed some pretty stunning photo journalism, especially considering the technology then.
If there was an especially treacherous part of the walk, Luke would shelter the dogs with friendly volunteers and set out alone. Arkansas, I learned, has feral pigs and alligators. Tennessee had narrow roads and beer-bottle throwers. Most people were friendly. Some were – let’s just say they didn’t get the ‘I love my dog who died from cancer’ thing. So, Luke had to trek some parts alone because the roads were hazardous or situations were dangerous, and he wasn’t about to put his Boys in peril. But more often than not there were friendly souls along the way – mostly people with dogs – who would let them camp out in a yard or stay over for a few nights to get warm and dry and have a good meal (Luke often cooked). Many friends were made and kept, even through the hardships. There was a lot of Trail Magic that happened: the right people in the right places at the right time. Most of them are still with us, I’m happy to say.
So here are some links to follow. I hope you enjoy the stories and the people and dogs we met on the way. I say we because, while Luke and The Boys were doing all the walking, we all traveled with them. We became friends and family.
It’s amazing what the love of a dog can do.
But we all know that.
For a trip through Puppy Up history:
The 2 dogs 2000miles blog http://2dogs2000miles.
The Puppy Up Blog http://puppyup.blogspot.com/
The 2 million dogs blog https://2milliondogsblog.
The West Coast Walk blog https://www.puppyup.org/walk2/
Upcoming PuppyUp Walks in April and May
April 28 2019 PuppyUp Memphis, TN
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Overton Park Rainbow Lake Pavilion, Memphis, TN 38112
For information on registration and events’ schedule, please follow this link.
May 5 2019 PuppyUp Madison, WI
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
McKee Farms Park, Fitchburg, WI 53711
For information on registration and events’ schedule, please follow this link.
May 5 2019 PuppyUp Nashville, TN
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Global K9 Protection Services Farm, Franklin, TN
For information on registration and events’ schedule, please follow this link.
Pup of the Month — Malcolm Robinson
Luke and Malcolm. Happy times.
No words necessary.
Luke’s new project — podcast and book. A new chapter in his Journey. For more information, please follow this link. We’ll have details in the next newsletter.
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
