Welcome to My View

It's been a while since I posted to my blog.  There has been a lot going on that has kept me very busy.  I'm sure most of you know that I founded a foundation called Zachary's Paws For Healing as a legacy to my nephew that passed away a year ago from cancer.  In the past year, we have taken ZPFH from a concept to a reality.  We have been working hard to bring patients at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario joy and comfort by facilitating visits with their own pet dogs and cats.  It has been a tremendous success.

We have received so much media coverage and went viral many times.  We have heard from supporters from all around the world.

We are preparing to expand our services to other hospitals and helping others start a ZPFH at their local hospitals.  

You can read all about our work at www.zacharyspawsforhealing.com  or on Facebook using the same name.

I will be posting my blog again on a weekly basis.  I remind everyone that what I write about is strictly my observations, and I am not influenced by any one.  I have no expectations that I will have 100% agreement 100% of the time.  If you like what I write about, I would like to hear from you.  If you don't agree, I don't mind hearing from you, too.  

I probably only went to two dog shows last year in Canada and what I overheard and saw a few weeks ago at a show is so concerning.  

We need to remind ourselves that, "Negative Comments creates Negative Images".  

I like to find a seat out of the way, where I can really watch the dogs in the ring.  Between breeds I watch people.  It's amazing what a person can observe.  

It is also jaw-dropping what can be overheard sitting ringside.  All the negative talk about competing dogs, owner handlers, professional handlers, judges and the show itself.

There are small strident minority groups that can be heard over the din of the majority.  The problem is the minority voices stridently decry what they think is wrong with your dogs, your handling, your breeding programs, your choice of friends.  They don't listen to anyone else and they consider themselves to be the authority all-things dogs.  Another problem is the weak people who agree wholeheartedly without question, and they will blindly share and repeat the same opinions and philosophies of their leader. They drink the same flavored Koolaid.

The dog show and ringside is not the only place they are heard.  It's not hard today to be heard with social media.  Is it too much that we think before we talk. We consider the whole picture, before forming opinions.  

I really am not amused by the nastiness that flows in our sport.  I don't appreciate hearing rumors being spread with no verifiable support to the rumor.  But nothing makes some people happier than to be a part of what could damage others permanently, that can harm reputations, even cause criminal investigation. 

Why do we insist on "Eating Our Own". 

Some believe in winning at any cost.  Winning becomes personal.  Winning somehow shines a golden light on us and makes us special and important.  Winning is important and we all want to win, but let's remember to want it for the right reasons and understand that on any given day you can lose or win.  It's subjective.  It's one judge's opinion on that given day.  Get over yourself and remember, there isn't a Rolex watch and a million dollar cheque at the end of the day.  It's a nickle flat ribbon and a $3.00 rosette.  

Please remember to do your winning with the same dignity as your losing and visa versa.  Dignity and good manners.

We wonder what we can do to save our sport. Build entries.  Encourage newcomers.  Influence the public that purebred dogs bred by well trained, educated breeders is better than puppy mills and backyard breeders.   The most cost effective and easiest thing to do and a good starting point is how we behave before, during and after shows.  

We need loyalty to our sport.  We need loyalty to each individual who participates in our sport.  Why must we tear each other down?  Why the dirty deeds, underhanded and nasty remarks?  Why the rumors?

I am making a personal commitment that I will not create drama.  I will not perpetuate rumors.  I am going to be encouraging and appoarchable.  I am going to willingly offer a hand when needed and help out those that are new.  I am committed to have a smile for everyone I meet.  I am going to be a DRAMA-FREE ZONE, and will not have time to listen to anyone's drama.

Why don't you take the same oath and let's start 2016 the proper and thoughtful way.  

Make this the year that you leave people feeling better about themselves when you walk away than before you spoke to them.  Be a positive influence.

Please remember to get your ads in for great advertising of your winning dogs. Contact your Canadian Dog Fancier area representative.  

http://www.canadiandogfancier.com/

When you need graphic work such as logo design, ad design, photos edited, webpage design, you should contact Wendy Reyn.  She is as talented as they come in the graphic world.  She is very reasonably priced and works hard for her clients.  She does all my graphic work exclusively.

http://www.winconline.com/

Welcome To My View

        GOOD  PEOPLE  COMING TO AID NEWBORNS

Al McFadden, Peggy Wallace, Lin Hawkyard,  Lynn & Norm Wolter, Sharon Roberton, Megan Groves and Kelly Ryan.

Shelley Camm reports that when her girl needed a c-section on Boxing Day, she put out a call for all available help.  She knew that her bitch had a large litter on board, and there would only be one vet tech on call. This fine group have made the Spotlight for lending much needed helpful hands to assist, resulting in  8 puppies in what was probably the easiest  c-section ever!  

Shelley expresses MANY THANKS  to these angels that deserve to be recognized for their nice deed.

Photograpy At Dog Shows

I love hearing from readers.  I don't care if you agree with what I have written or have an opposing viewpoint, I am always open to everything the readers have to say.    I heard from Chantal 

Velleneuve of DogsInDesign, Professional Photographer.  You will see Chantal at many of Ontario's dog shows and you have probably been her customer at some point.

She must have had time on her hands one day and was reading through my blog when she found the piece I did about the Professional Photographers having run-ins with spectators and exhibitors that were taking candid shots in the ring.  

Before, I start hearing from people all over Canada, let me say that what I'm about to talk about is unique to Ontario.  There is a valuable lesson to be learned from this for all those outside of Ontario. So this should be interesting to most everyone.

Chantal called me because she wanted to be sure that I understood how the photographers in Ontario get the dog show business and how this method of awarding some of the dog show business to the professional photographer began. 

According to Chantal, some years back, two Ontario professional photographers, each wanting more of the dog show pie, starting offering rebates to the Kennel Clubs.  The rebates were based on number of photos taken.  The Kennel Clubs needless to say are always looking for ways to keep money in their coffers, so the rebate program was well received.  Why shouldn't it be?  Well, over the course of time, it got to be where the Kennel Clubs sent out invitations to pretty much bid on the photography at their shows.  It got more and more competitive and now it is becoming off the chart expensive for many of the photographers.

Chantal broke it down for me like this:

The Photographer still pays for their booth:  Anywhere from $500 to $1500 per show.
The Photographer pays extra staff
The Photographer must pay for the staff meals and hotel
The Photographer has the expense of the equipment: (cameras equipment, backdrops, winning slide boards, decorations, computers, printers, banking machines.)
The Photographer will buy ads in the show catalog
The Photographer will sponsor awards
The Photographer will pay the Kennel Club the rebate which is a dollar amount per picture.

Chantal explained how it is hard to know all the variables:

What if the weather turns bad and the exhibitor attendance is really down
What if there is a judge change and exhibitors pull their entries.

For Chantal, she uses a motorhome bus to travel and work from at the shows.  Many may think that is an extravagance, but she explains it is cheaper for her to house and feed everyone over the weekend from the motorhome than eating out and hotels.    When the weather turns off really unexpectably bad in the winter, her cost goes up because she can't use the motorhome, she now must use the more expensive hotels and restaurants.  

She has explained that there can actually be times that the Photographer won't break even, due to the rebate and the other variables.  Chantal believes that if the shows keep having fewer exhibitors and some clubs cancel their shows, the Professional Photographer may be out of business.

My question is...do the dog food booths pay a rebate based on how many bags of food they sell? What about the food vendors?  If they are not paying a rebate, and the photographers are paying the same for their booths plus the rebate, then this rebate needs to be eliminated.  Take the rebate the photographers are paying and prorate that amount as an increase in booth space to all vendors.

She expressed that it doesn't bother her for exhibitors and spectators to shoot photos ringside as long as they are not selling the photos.  She also wants everyone to know, that if they want candid shots done by her team, just check in with her with the time you will be in the ring and she will try to accommodate you.  

Folks, I am a believer that we are all in this sport together.  We need to have an understanding of what it takes to continue our sport.  We need to be level headed in all things and do our part to make it successful for all of us.  I hope this information that Chantal shared with me, gives you a better understanding of what is going on in the background.  

Zachary's Paws For Healing is working very hard to get started at Juravinski Cancer Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario.  We have been so fortunate to have so much support at the hospital, taking this initiative and making it come to fruition. Social Services, nurses, doctors, infection control, policy writers, unit managers, directors of nursing, patient care services, housekeeping have all been involved in getting approvals and making Zachary's wishes come true.

There have been many meetings, emails, policies written and rewritten, research and promotion done.  We have another meeting on May 7th which includes  representatives from many hospital departments.  At this meeting, we are hopeful that we have the final approval to start our Pilot Program.  

The Pilot Program will be used to prove that we have the proper policies in place and that we will be making a huge difference in patient care.  Let me explain what Zachary's Paw's For Healing is.

Zachary's Paw's For Healing will offer patients that have beloved pet companion dogs and/or cats visits with them while they are in-patients at Juravinski Hospital.  We will take care of all the necessary paperwork to get the pet approved for the visit and coordinating the visit with the patient. Our volunteers will meet the pet to determine that it's temperament is such that will make for a successful visit and won't be too much stress for the pet.  Our volunteers will escort the pet to the patient's room and will stay during the visit to be sure all infectious control procedures are being maintained.  Our volunteers are wanting to provide the best visit possible and they will remain in the background in an unobtrusive manner.

Juravinski Hospital and Zachary's Paws For Healing understands from much research that pet companion visits can improve the patient's  vital signs and patient communication with health care givers, reminds them that there is a reason to get well and return home, shortens hospital stays, gives unconditional love and comfort and eases the stress of extended illness and hospitalization. Juravinski Hospital is a state-of-art health care facility and they believe in caring for the entire patient, not just a disease.  

Zachary had wonderful care at Juravinski during his fight with cancer.  Visits with his dogs was a tremendous mental health boost for him and helped him shorten his stay in ICU.  He understood the need for pet visits to patients.  He knew that even though Therapy Dogs fill a niche, they were no substitute for your own beloved pet companion.  His dying wish was to make sure every patient at Juravinski that wants to see their pet, gets that visit.

You can help us by donating to  gofund.me/Zachary-039-sPaws
and by volunteering your time to be a visit facilitator.  If you wish to volunteer, please contact me at djenkins@rogers.com.  We still need money to pay legal fees to file for our non-profit status.  Even with our wonderful lawyers giving us a very generous discount, it will still costs around  $8,000.  

We will be looking for various equipment donations.  Presently, we are asking for someone to donate the following items:

Great Dane size crate that can have wheels added.  The crate will be used to transport some dogs to the patient's room.  

We also need someone to donate dog kerchiefs in various sizes that can be used to identify the dog as a patient visitor.  Preferably,  we would like all the kerchiefs to be the same color and pattern.

We need someone that can sew to make the cover for the transport crate.  

We need someone that can embroider our name on the crate cover.

Please contact me if you can help with any of our present needs: djenkins@rogers.com

So, this is where we are.  We have come a long way since Zachary's death five months ago.  We couldn't do this without all you wonderful folks.  

Thank you so much.

Remember to check out Canuck Dogs.com for all the latest Dog Fancy Results, Upcoming Events and Ads.  Canuck Dogs is volunteer based and relies on your advertising to operate.  All ads are very reasonable and reach Canada-wide.  www.canuckdogs.com

We are happy to endorse Canadian Dog Fancier Magazine.  Great publication with very competitive ad prices include professional graphic design of your ad.  http://www.canadiandogfancier.com/

CDF Summary is a weekly online publication with the latest dog results that is provided by the same great team at Canadian Dog Fancier Magazine.  You get the same great quality and the opportunity to advertise at unbelievable rates that still reach Canada-wide.  http://www.cdfsummary.com/

xxx

Welcome To My View

A Celebration of Zachary's Life

The last time I wrote my blog was September 10, 2014.  I wrote about Zachary's struggle with cancer and how wonderful the Purebred Dog Community is.  Now, I am writing to catch you up on Zachary's final struggle.

It occurs to me that people could be so sick of me talking about Zachary and they may all be wondering what I will talk about once I finish mourning his loss.  I am wondering the same thing.  Life is so strange now in our house.  It is quiet. There are no appointments to keep or nurses visits to prepare for.  Anyone that has taken care of a terminally ill family member understands what I am talking about. Suddenly you find yourself at a complete loss of what is next. Lyle and I are trying to find a new "Normal" for ourselves.  

Zachary's stem cell transplant was a long high Hail Mary pass, thrown in hopes that the cancer cells could be killed off and the new stem cells would produce healthy new cells. The doctors, nurses and our family and friends waited and prayed for good news.  Unfortunately, there was no good news. Zachary never really recovered after the stem cell transplant. He never regained his strength and we could tell his body was continuing to fail him.

During all this, Zachary never complained.  If you asked him how he was, he'd always say, "I'm good, how are you?". There is so much indignity with cancer and the dying process.  It is very bad for anyone, but I think especially bad for a young man.  Zachary turned 25 years old while he was in the hospital.  He never really got to celebrate that milestone.  He was just too sick and weak.  Zachary had to allow me to help him take care of his most basic needs.  He approached that just like he did with most things, with a sense of humor and more concern for my embarrassment or discomfort than his own.

He was a bit concerned that he didn't have any earth shattering long and impressive bucket list to complete.  His wishes were modest for sure.  He wanted to go to the Mandarin for dinner.  He wanted to take a motorcycle ride. He wanted to go to the casino and play slots.  He wanted to go to Comic Con.  He wanted to see his front yard lit up at Christmas.  Because of his friends, he got to do all those things except he didn't live long enough to see the lights go on in his front yard.  

Zachary was a very rich young man.  Not in money, good Lord knows he didn't have any of that.  He was rich in friends and kind deeds.  His friends came and took him out, even when it required that they had to manage a wheelchair and helping him in and out of the car.  He received hundreds and hundreds of cards from people from all over the world.  When we reached out for Christmas lights and displays, they also came from all over North America from people that never met Zachary, but wanted to make his days happier.  The response from the Dog Community has been overwhelming for sure.  

What started as a few months to live had turned to a few weeks, then alarmingly it turned into days.  We had made plans to move up our Christmas with Zachary by a couple of weeks.  He loved Christmas.  On the Thursday morning of Zachary's last full day with us, he could barely talk above a whisper.  He had grown very weak and couldn't stand any longer.  He had asked a few days before if he could call Lyle and me Mom and Dad.  He wanted to feel like he had loving parents with him.  It was such an honor to be thought of as his parents instead of his aunt and uncle.  He kept making me promise him that I would make sure Zachary's Paws For Healing would become a reality.  He wanted to be sure to leave that behind as his legacy.  He had a lot of things he wanted us to promise him and we took each one seriously. He made his best friend, Aaron, promise to look after Lyle and me.  He told me on Thursday morning that he didn't think he wanted to do "this" anymore and that he was "done".  I asked him if he was leaving me, and he said yes.  

On Friday, November 28, 2014 at 9:30 am Zachary died in our arms and he really didn't make a big "to do" about it.  He just went away.   No more suffering.  No more cares.  He did as he said and he left me.  He flew into the arms of God and there waiting for him were his grandparents that I know were calling to him to come.  He is riding motorcycles with my son, Tom, and he is listening to the birds with my Daddy.   

Now, I am doing what he made me promise.  I, along with a full board of directors and a wonderful young attorney, are making sure that Zachary's Paws For Healing is a reality. We will be working with Juravinski Cancer Hospital to facilitate companion pet visits with the patients. Any patient that has a companion dog or cat that they are missing will get to have visits with them.  Pets bring a healing that no other medicine can offer.  Zachary knew first hand how important a visit with your pet is and this will be his lasting legacy.

Please, if you are reading this, find it in your heart to give to Zachary's Paws For Healing.  Help us with your donation. Also please share Zachary's story and ask your friends and family to donate, too.  If you are a member of a Kennel Club, ask your club to sponsor Zachary's Paws For Healing.  We are looking for corporate sponsors, so even ask your employer to donate.  We are currently working on our non-profit status, so soon we will be able to offer tax receipts.

I want to give my personal thanks for everyone's kindness and generosity during Zachary's battle with cancer and during our time of sadness.

There will be a Celebration of Zachary's Life:

Saturday, January 17, 2015

2:00 PM

Royal Canadian Legion # 163
435 Limeridge Road East
Hamilton, Ontario

Board Room

You are invited to share a funny story or how you knew Zachary during the service. If you are unable to attend the service and would like to share a memory, please email your story to djenkins@rogers.com and it will be read at the service.

You are invited to stay for Light Refreshments afterward. 

In Lieu of Flowers, Donations may be made to Zachary's Paws For Healingat http://www.gofundme.com/Zachary-039-sPaws

       

Thanks so much to the following people that have already donated to Zachary's Paws For Healing.  Your generosity and love will bring joy to many patients and will give Zachary's life lasting meaning.

Tammy McAllister                                               Ginny Meeker                           

Steve & Ashley Parker                                        Kristen Hamer                   

Laurie Chermaz                                                   Lynda and Al McFadden

Jenn Stooke                                                        Toni Hoover-Mendenhall

Maureen Merkler                                                 Marlies Visser

Angel Wagner                                                      Karen and Gord Prokopetz      

Patty Madsen                                                      Janna Jackson                          

Sandy Alexander                                                 Bob Boxma                               

Danny & Debbie O'Hearn                                    Penny Osborne                         

Jane Mangat                                                        Amanda Ferris                          

JoAnn Green                                                       Marian Van Ekelenburg             

Heather Brennan                                                 Laura Van Pelt                          

Claire Mathieu)                                                    Nuria Trujillo                              

Debby Krieg                                                         Lori Payne                                 

Carmen Chang                                                    Helene Belanger                        

Samantha Green                                                 Shawna Peeres                          

Karen Kuhn                                                         Jeff Roth

Moira Gunn                                                         Gloria Bracchetti

Lynn Barron                                                        Wendy & Shelby Reyn

Aleisa C McKinlay                                               Nicholas Peeres

Lorraine Pullen                                                    Patricia Grant            

Not only will I be working hard for Zachary's Paws For Healing, but Lyle and I will be back out at the dog shows with Cara's puppy, Biscuit.  We are looking forward to bringing Biscuit out in Canada and the USA and seeing all our Dog Show friends.  I will be back in the mix and will be bringing my blog back monthly.  So if you have something you would like to contribute to the blog or see or hear of a kindness paid in the world of DOGS, please pass them on to me to include in my blog.  We can never say enough about the good that happens in our world of dogs.

If you are at the show and we haven't met, please be sure to find me and introduce yourself.  I want to know you.  If you know where our trailer is parked at the show, drop by and visit. We may even offer you something to eat or drink.  

Remember, kindness goes a long way.  If you see someone new and looking lost and could use some help, offer them your hand and show them the love you all have shown Lyle and me.

See you at Wildwood!  Good luck during 2015!

I advertise with Canadian Dog Fancier Magazine and the CDF Summary.  

The Canadian Dog Fancier Magazine is now offering  Dog Fanciers another excellent product.  It's weekly summary of dog shows is a budget friendly way to get your advertising out there without sacrificing quality of artwork or audience.  The ad prices are unbelievable.  It's a great way to supplement  your magazine advertising.  You get the same great service as you get from the magazine.  Plus it's a great way to keep up with who's who in the winning world of Canadian Dog Shows.

Angel Wagner would be happy if you contacted her about finding a great spot in the upcoming summary!  Contact Angel Wagner at  angel@canadiandogfancier.com

Remember that all your Canadian Dog Show schedules, judging schedules and show results are found here.  The only and most comprehensive Canadian Dog Show information online.  Great advertising prices and your ad is seen by everyone that counts.  Canuck Dogs is all volunteer and is supported solely by the advertising dollars.  

XXX

Welcome To My View

Zachary's Story of Cancer

Stem Cell Harvest and the Phersis Machine

Cancer is never a diagnosis that any one wants to hear, especially a 23 year old young man.  I get the information and I can't catch a breath, my ears are filled with white noise and my brain is racing,  trying to make sense of the information.  I look over at my nephew and he seems so vulnerable and sick.  I could not even imagine the long roller coaster ride we were about to undertake together.  

It started as a tiny little annoying cough.  Zachary would do one of those little coughs like you are trying to clear your throat.  When nothing seemed to bring relief, I took him to his family doctor.  After Dr. B examined Zachary, he really couldn't find anything significant and determined that this was one of those OCD habits that Autistics acquire.  We go home and I don't completely ignore it, but I don't pay as much attention to it as I should.

Winter came and Zachary seemed to cough more in the cold air and he complained about coughing when he shoveled the snow.  I thought he was trying to find a way out of shoveling, so I told him to suck it up and do his job.  Zachary has always needed encouragement to get up and moving and to do his chores, so I didn't think much about it.

Spring came and I went out of town for a week to visit my sister and when I got home, Zachary's appearance shook me.  I saw things that you don't notice when you are with someone day in and day out.  He was thin and he was gray.  I made an appointment to see Dr. B the very next day. 

Dr. B was very alarmed.  He could not get any breath sounds on his right lung at all.  He sent him immediately for a chest xray and told me to check back with him that afternoon.  We went directly to the radiology location 15 minutes away.  When Zachary was putting his shirt back on, the radiology assistant said that the Radiologist had just read the xray and giving me that special look that says this is very bad, she advised me to call Dr. B immediately.  I got in the car and called Dr. B.  Normally you don't get to speak to Dr. B immediately and I was expecting him to have to call me back, but to my surprise he came on the phone.  He instructed me to go home and pack a bag for Zachary and go directly to St. Joe's ER, that Zachary was in serious condition.  He had faxed over his report to the ER and that they would be waiting for us.  He also wanted someone to come to his office and pick up a copy of the information that he faxed just to be on the safe side because faxed papers can go missing in ER.

At this point, I go into Mother/CEO/World Leader mode and I start taking charge.  I call Lyle, my husband, and send him ASAP to pick up the documents at Dr. B's office then he was to come directly to the hospital ER.
Zachary and I do as instructed and we go directly to St. Joseph's Emergency Room.  As Dr. B said, they take Zachary back immediately, they have reviewed his xray and Dr. B's notes and they take him to an exam room straight away.  Blood is drawn.  More xrays and CT Scan are done.  Then we are surrounded by Thoracic Surgeons and Residents.  They are examining him again and again.   They give us the news.  Zachary has cancer and he has a huge mass in his chest.  They move him to ICU and we spend the next seven days there with the doctors putting him on steroids that helps his breathing.  Once, they have him more stable, they tell us that they are fast tracking him to Juravinski  Cancer Centre.  Zachary get's discharged from St. Joes and sent home and advised we will hear from Juravinski very soon.

They weren't kidding.  We just got home and set Zachary's suitcase down and the phone rings.  It's is Juravinski  Cancer Centre Hematology Clinic calling and we are to be at their clinic on the 2nd floor in 20 minutes.  The lady on the phone advises me that Dr. Benger  is going to be our Hematology Oncologist .  Again, I get Zachary in the car and we go to meet Dr. Benger.  We arrived on the second floor and as we are entering the Clinic area, a silver haired grandmotherly lady dressed in a doctor's coat stops us with her hand out and she announces that she is Dr. Benger and she motioned to a tall lady standing next to her and introduced us to Wendy, her nurse assistant and Dr. Benger proclaimed that they are our team that will be working hard with us to get through this cancer.

Zachary was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Hodgkin's lymphoma — formerly known as Hodgkin's disease — is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system.  Hodgkin's lymphoma is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 15 and 30, as well as those older than 55. Males are slightly more likely to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma.  Zachary's cancer was diagnosed as Stage IIB.  They explained that Hodgkin's is one of the cancers that typically is easy to cure.

Zachary underwent a bone marrow biopsy that first visit along with a lot of blood work and a CT Scan.  I was allowed to stay while the bone marrow biopsy was done and I must say that Zachary was my hero from that day forward.  Perhaps he was too weak to protest, but he willingly did everything that was asked of him even though he was pretty exhausted.  They did a needle biopsy of the mass in his chest.  He actually watched that  in a mirror and the doctor joked that he has a morbid curiosity.

After  the regular 3 months of chemo they determine he needs another round of chemo.  Then he had 2 months of radiation.  All during this time he is having CT Scans and PET Scans and we are getting no cure.  His tumor has shrunk some but it is still quite the mass in his chest.  He still has trouble walking for any distance without gasping for air and he still has the annoying cough.  After

consultation, we find out that Zachary's cancer is very aggressive and he has a resistance to chemo and radiation.  In the time most patients need to allow chemo therapy to complete its work, Zachary's cancer keeps  growing and repairing itself.  To explain it easily, Zachary's tumor builds a protein that protects the tumor or cancer cells rather than allowing the chemo and radiation to destroy the tumor or cancer cells. 

Dr. Benger consulted with her colleagues and they determined that a stem cell transplant would be needed, but prior to getting there they wanted to do some specialized chemo therapy which is much harsher and condensed in hopes that chemo would kill the cancer cells.  Zachary had a Apheresis Catheter inserted in his chest that would allow for his own stem cells to be collected for the transplant.   He had to go for several chemos at the Jurasvinski Cancer Hospital Day Oncology Services.  Nothing is ever quick in this process.  You want to attack the cancer with everything medicine has but each thing has another side effect and a waiting period.  Time drags and drags and drags. 

Meantime,  Zachary completes the round of chemo that is like an introductory chemo, then they put him in the hospital and they do a week of really hard, mean chemo trying to kill as many of the cancer cells as possible before harvesting his stem cells for transplant.  After this horrible chemo, we go home and give him shots that build him stem cells very quickly in his bone marrow, so we will have enough to harvest.  The shots make Zachary feel like his has a bad case of the flu and his bones ache.  Up until this time, he has been a trooper and never complained and we would get through vomiting and being weak and having brain fog from chemo.  But, these shots made his hips and legs hurt so bad, he could hardly walk.  He finally broke down and cried in pain.  It was so hard for Lyle and me to see him like this, that we broke down and cried with him.

Harvest time - we have to be at the Aphersis lab at 6:30 am.  Nothing to eat since the night before.  Once he is hooked up, there is no walking to the bathroom and you must use a bedside toilet.  Believe me, there are dozens of ways to take away dignity and free will during cancer treatment.  They put him in bed and hook him up to the Aphersis machine using the catheter in his chest.  There are two lines coming out of his chest.  His entire blood is removed and returned three times during this process.   One line is used to remove the blood from his body to the machine and the stem cells and some platelets are separated out of the blood and stored in the machine, the rest of the blood is returned back to his body.  We didn't get enough stem cells the first day so we had to go back for a second day of harvesting.

We went home and waited for our latest Scan and it showed that we didn't have any improvement but the tumor had not grown, so we would proceed with the stem cell transplant.   We got the call to be at the hospital on August 15 at 2:00 pm, on Friday.  We arrived and they started fluids and anti-nausea meds via IV.  Saturday and Sunday they did the last and the meanest chemo.  There is no way anyone can prepare you for  what happens during the chemo and the stem cell transplant.  I don't care what you read or hear, it doesn't compare to actually being there.  Up until the chemo before, Zachary had not even lost a hair.  Now he doesn't have any hair and the Saturday chemo drug burns the inside of Zachary's mouth until it looks like his tongue and the inside of his cheeks have been put through a grater.  He can't talk, eat, drink or spit.  This chemo drug seeps from his armpits.  It burns his armpits, scrotum and belly crease above his navel.  All those areas literally sloth off all skin to raw meat.  It is during this time that Zachary acquires pneumonia and had to be rushed to ICU for a week.  There is vomiting and explosive diarrhea.  A real sense of despair and weakness so bad you must turn all bodily functions over to someone else.

During all this, we had the best medical care bar none world-wide.   Dr. Benger and Wendy, Michelle, Jenn, all our nurses, aides, housekeeping, physical therapy,  home nurses, CAP (Cancer Assistance Program)  have been there for us.  They not only were our professionals, but they treated us like family

Nursing Staff Clowning With Zachary

and showed genuine care and love for Zachary and me.  They went above and beyond to make it as easy as possible and to grant every wish.  They allowed Zachary to have visits with his dog, Chase and puppy, Ellie.  We will spend the rest of our lives finding ways to show our appreciation for them.

We were told that the Stem Cell Transplant has only a 30 - 50 percent success rate.  We are waiting for our next scan to see if we got lucky.  It does feel like a Hail Mary Pass for the win!  If it didn't give us the cure we pray for, we have an experimental drug to try. 

Strange how to start feeling at this point.  At least for me it is.  I want to have hope that we got our cure, but there is a part that makes it hard to hope for fear we will be disappointed.  So suffice it to say, "I am cautiously optimistic"!

The end of Zachary's Cancer story still remains to be told.  I pray it's a story with a happy ending.

Zachary got to have a visit with his dog, Chase, while in ICU.

Dog People Have Huge Hearts When Called On

During Zachary's treatment, it was getting harder for him to be happy about anything.  Everyone loves to get greeting cards, so I reached out to the Dog Community and asked that they send Zachary  cards.  Man did they ever respond.  There hasn't been hardly a day go by since I asked that there hasn't been a card received and most days its several cards and maybe a package with a surprise.

Along with cards, Zachary has received, a handmade Wirehair Dachshund pin

Zachary having some fun before Transplant. l - r me, Zachary
Wendy Reyn and Shelby Lynn.  

from Spain , hand crafted soap that he loved,  money, gift cards, a fabulous cape for Super Zachary to wear that he loves, a  hand painted Zelda cap, a cap from Alaska, a Zelda shirt, a handheld game with a game, Zelda posters, Japanese Candy and treats and Anime Posters, mustache straws, glow n the dark Silly Putty, a solar robot dog kit, EB Games gift cards (One I have no idea who sent it and EB Games would not tell me).  Friends of Friends of Friends sent cards.  He has received cards from all over the world.  Friends have sent words of comfort, support and love on Facebook.

Never will we be able to thank you all enough.  But, I want to tell each of you thank you, again.  Here is a list of people that have made Zachary, Lyle and me feel the love during our battle.

The names with a * are members of our dog community.

Lynn Holland                         Melody Bagwell Greco

Kandice Kostic *                    Carolyn Mills *

Marcello Tulipano*                Sybyl Swan*

Heather Brennan*                 Lynda McFadden*

Deborah Bowan Harple        Lee Jolliffe*

Maureen Hepples                 Maureen Merkler

Helenne Belanger Sassytails*     Laural Brown*

Rhonda Smith Giannini        *       Lois Langille

Sari Hirvonen*                       Sandy Alexander*

Dawn Watters*                      Pat Blenkey*

Yvonne Howcroft                   Katheryn Murray*

Tammy Timpany McAllister*  Amanda McAllister*

Kerrie-Lyn Taylor         *         Melissa Doherty

Trina Caird*                            Emma Doherty

Ashley Parker                        Jan Carpenter*

Heinz  Rueetschli*                 Debbie Hendrix

Chuck Lamers*                      Nancy Downing*

Summerford Newfoundlands*

Diane Albin*                          Timothy Andrews*

Wiebke Kumbhani*               Angel Wagner*

Jayne Stewart*                      Adri Lland*

Wendy Reyn*                        Pat Ward

Lynn Cope*                           Gail Josephine Tutt*

Marian Van Ekelenburg*       Katarzyna Ciupek*

Judy Pruitt                             Karen Fasciano*

Josephine Lambert*              Nicole Cooper*

Kathie Ellingson Roth*          Aleisa Colbert Mckinlay

Toni Hoover- Mendenhall*   Debby Krieg*

Susan Wesson Cain*           Nuria Trujillo*

Karen Kuhn                          Shirley Ray*

Bob Boxma*                         Harambee Kennels*

Gyverscots Karen Prokopetz*

Brenda J Nichols*                 Tam Pregent*

Donna Cullen*                      Amanda Ferris*

Leslie E. Shelby Savoye*     Kay Reil*

Penny Osborne*                   Marlene Ness*

Lisa Maki*                             Brian Casey*

Tylor Atkins                           Shawna F. Babby

Scott Bell                               Shelby Lynne*

Jenny Best*                           Donna Tomson Castlekeep IW*

Dianne Miller*                        Kaileigh Gonzalez*

Kristi Martin*                          Trish Gould

Shawn Nies*                          Bernadette Wagner*

Laurie Chemaz                      Steven Parker

Sharon Betker*                      Marsha Strawn Perry

Yolanda Bowan Pound          John Robson*

Karen Taylor*                        Lori Payne*

Carol Ellingson*                     Katherina  Dueck*

Rob Paterson*                       Gloria Bracchetti*

Ashley Cawthen                     Katy Mason Cargill

Lynn Blackbourn*                   Lynn Shannon

Sharleen Weatherley             Christa Wilkin

Catlin Cahill*                          David Bryan Swartwood*

D DPhoto Graphy*                 Heather Dowell

Kathy Black Lanier                 Tommy Cawthen

Beata Lamentowicz*              Katherine Zayas

Brenda Gale*                         Loren Bressers*

Patti Adams Pollock               Linda Ploom Metham*

Jenn Fournier-Stooke*           Jeffrey Boehne*

Kitty Kalas-Durst*                  Cindy Niles*

Dustin Hall                             Patricia Romanelli*

Freckashpeng Hounds*         Michelle Atkinson-Fielding*

Nancibeth  Koutstaal*            Paul Wilson*

Carol Gravestock*                 Gabriella Lorincz*

Peggy Michau Marasis*         Patricia Grant*

Mardell Wingo Clanton          Anne Burgess McDougall*

Doreen Calvin*                      Jean Tremblay*

Randy & Nancy Rhodes*       Lucza Vertes*

Karen Norton*                        Michelle Scott*

Michelle Therrien*                 Gwen Giles*

Jane Mangat                          Steve Lambert*

Chris Pollen*                          ExSentia (Ina Malecka)*

Barbara Heal*                       Kristen Weatherley   

If I left your name off the list, please forgive me.  But, let me know.  I want to include you in my next blog.  You are very important to us.             

The Canadian Dog Fancier Magazine is now offering  Dog Fanciers another excellent product.  It's weekly summary of dog shows is a budget friendly way to get your advertising out there without sacrificing quality of artwork or audience.  The ad prices are unbelievable.  It's a great way to supplement  your magazine advertising.  You get the same great service as you get from the magazine.  Plus it's a great way to keep up with who's who in the winning world of Canadian Dog Shows.

Angel Wagner would be happy if you contacted her about finding a great spot in the upcoming summary!  Contact Angel Wagner at  angel@canadiandogfancier.com

 Handling Classes in Southern Ontario

Lyle and I regularly attend Monica Park's handling classes. Keeps our dogs sharp and our skills honed. If you are a beginner or experienced, Monica can offer you instruction and insights like none other in the

area. 

Drop-in Handling Classes with Monica Park in Milton  

Fall session Classes will be held every Tuesday from now until December 16 @ 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Winter session Classes will start again Tuesday January 6 until June 23 @ 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Boyne Community Centre Milton (Regional Rd. 25 & Britannia Rd.)

Call or text 905-876-6663
E-mail monica.park66@gmail.com

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

XXXOOO