Pink Roads And Floppy Ears

I must tell you that this past week-end my life had gone to the dogs. On Saturday afternoon, I participated in the "Pooches in Pink" walk (part of the Susan G. Komen foundation's Race For The Cure). The best part? I didn't have to walk alone! There were dogs-a-plenty in all shapes, sizes, and colors...and I must say, a LOT of smiles and tail wagging!

Last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself and have been working through the treatments, the stress, the fatigue, and the fear. It can definitely bring you down sometimes. Saturday, I was able to turn this into a positive thing by forming a team from our veterinary hospital. So...The "Mountain Shadows Pet Hospital Tailwaggers" walked yesterday to honor and memorialize the thousands of women who have survived breast cancer or died from it. To be sure, there was lots of pink...pink collars, pink leashes, pink bandannas, and pink clothing (one woman even colored her standard poodle pink)!

I think that the best part of all this for me was seeing how much dogs enrich our lives. When walking with a dog, I feel more confident, happy, calm, and centered. I focus on the here and now and enjoy the day that I've been given instead of worrying about tomorrow. Those are the lessons and gifts that dogs bring to us every single day. As I saw survivors walking with their own dogs, I started remembering the long, difficult days after chemotherapy, and the profound fatigue I had from radiation. Yet, I also remembered how my dogs supported me and I just knew that these women didn't have to go through their struggles alone.  I'm confident that their dogs stayed beside them, supported them, encouraged them, and made them feel loved during a horrible time time in their lives.

For me, my three dogs (pictured at left) helped tremendously. After chemotherapy, I'd sleep on the couch in the living room, and they'd all form a little dog line on the floor beneath me with heads to tails all stacked up! Even though it often got really hot in this "dog clot", they all stayed with me and never left the couch until I got up. They never looked at me strangely when I lost my hair, and they accepted me no matter how I felt. I am so grateful for them and the ways in which they helped me. I'm also inspired to watch other women who have battled through this long road....a road that is turbulent and bumpy, but also filled with hope. It was uplifting to see all these women and their wonderful dogs. Dogs that are not only friends but also companions, confidantes, playmates, nurses, and even spiritual advisers.

How about you? Have any of you gone through cancer or have known someone diagnosed with this disease? How do you think pets can affect the cancer treatment process and how can we make it happen for all people with cancer? Please share your ideas and thank you for letting me share mine.

-Dana

P.S. I want to formally acknowledge and memorialize the thousands of beautiful souls who have died from cancer. Today, I honor them and the all the people in their lives who helped them through. I also want to honor all our dogs; our guardian angels in life.

Comments

[Chris]

Congratulations on completing the pooches in pink walk, it sounds like the yucky weather we had didn't put a damper on the walk.

I think it's really great that they folks who put on this walk decided to have a separate walk just for dogs and their people.

[Laurel]

Thank you, Dana, for sharing your experiences with the walk and with your cancer treatment. Your dogs proved what we all know about our companion animals...they are loyal and dedicated no matter what! I love your story about how they always napped beside you and the photo of them in your car is precious. How many dog trios can sit that calmly side-by-side? The expressions on their faces are priceless...!

I must sheepishly confess that it slipped my mind to make a donation to support you in this event, so I did it just now. Be happy, be well, Dana. You are so very loved!

[Dana]

Hi Laurel and Chris, thanks so much for our kind words! Laurel...I wasn't expecting you to make a donation so please don't feel badly about it. I'm confident that the donation you just made will end of helping somebody diagnosed with breast cancer!

[turtlecookie]

Dana, thanks for sharing your story! I think pets can be wonderful therapy with their unconditional love. Love the conga-nap line. :-) The brown dog on the right in your photo reminds of a dog I had as a kid.

I haven't known a lot of people who have gone through cancer treatment. My cousin passed away from breast cancer several years ago. She had no pets. I sometimes wonder if having a pet might have helped at least a little bit. I love the idea of a walk with pets for such a good cause, and am not the least bit surprised at the emotional, spiritual support critters can provide.

Susan.

[Dana]

Hi Susan,
Thank you for your kind wishes and for telling us about your cousin. I'm so sorry for your loss. Just wanted to mention...when I was getting chemotherapy treatments at the Cancer Center, they would have 2 therapy dogs come in twice a week. According to the staff, the days in which the dogs are there are the most requested days for patients to schedule chemotherapy!