Faces of Hope
-A page to recognize those dogs who are currently fighting cancer-
[To have your dogs story posted on this page send it in along with a picture to [email protected]]
[To have your dogs story posted on this page send it in along with a picture to [email protected]]
Naia
"I am currently unemployed. I was homeless and living in my car with Naia and my other dog. I lived in the car all summer here in Georgia. This was one of the hottest summers on record. While living in the car, my other dog had a stroke and suffered paralysis. I did everything for both of them. I did not give up on the one who had a stroke. I did not leave her in the street or place her in a shelter where they would put her to sleep. I would go hungry for days but made sure my dogs had food and water. She passed away in Oct 13 2011. I miss her so much. My heart is broken. However I know she has crossed that Rainbow Bridge and is no longer feeling any pain. When I start to cry Naia comes and puts her head in my lap, and her paw on my leg, with those beautiful grey eyes. "I know Ma I miss her too".... As my story got out someone let Naia and I stay in their home. We now have a roof over our heads. Naia is all I have left. I have and will continue to do everything to make her life happy and healthy." The previous was written January 28th, 2012 as a letter to RedRover in request for financial aid. "Naia was diagnosed with Mass Cell Tumors February 12, 2012. Naia is alive today winning the battle giving hope and inspiration." -Robin. You can read Naia's story that was featured by RedRover at RedRover.org.
Sugar
"My name is Amanda & my husband is Scott. We are the proud parents of Sugar. She is a 7&1/2 year old Golden Retriever that we rescued when she was 7 months old. She only weighed around 25 pounds and was severely emaciated. She was very sick, vomiting, infested with fleas and worms and couldn't eat. She couldn't open her mouth or stand. She was an owner surrender at the Veterinary Hospital I worked at. So I immediately had her evaluated and we prayed she would make it overnight. She didn't have a name but she was so sweet we started calling her Sugar. I told her as I carried her that if she fights, I will fight with her. She ended up having an intussusception so she had to have surgery. They removed part of her intestine and she came through the surgery well. She was a miracle. Fast forward to February 29, 2012... she started to pant heavy in the middle of the night. I took her in to my work and never thought I would hear what I did...Sugar has lymphoma. She was only a little over 6 years old. My Vet came in with a look on his face, tears in his eyes and another Vet came and held my hand. Her one lung was full of what appeared to be cancer which was causing her breathing problem. She licked my tears because she had no idea the bad news I just received. My heart was broken. After I had my breakdown, we decided that this was not a death sentence and that we were going to fight this together. Her Vet was very optimistic. She did well with her chemo and she rarely got sick. 99% of the time she was her normal energetic self. She didn't know she had cancer and she taught me to always think positive no matter what. We celebrated her 7th birthday on November 6th 2012. She loves to play with her toys and play in the snow. She also loves playing with her sister Vadie (our other rescued dog) and her 4 brothers (cats). She is laying here with me now. She is still as spunky as she was before her diagnosis. Next month it will be a year and I hope that we can celebrate yet another milestone with her. Sugar is such a sweetheart but more importantly, she is a fighter!" -Amanda