The Dog Cancer Survival Guide (8 page)

Because most of the book is my voice, it might sound like Dr. Ettinger isn’t contributing. She is, of course, but these sidebars give her a chance to step out from “behind the scenes” and give her own thoughts in her own words.

These sidebars present information that is crucial to your understanding of the topic under discussion or for dog cancer in general.

If something was stated earlier that needs to be repeated, you’ll be reminded in these sidebars.

These sidebars usually illustrate specific examples of what’s being discussed in the main section.

These sidebars alert you if there are important exceptions to the topic under discussion.

As you’ll find out, I look at cancer as a living system. In these sidebars I have the space to share this “wide angle view” with you.

You will see these sidebars when I need to remind you to consult with your vet for specific advice about the topic at hand.

These sidebars are written by readers of the first edition of this book. They are “true tails” of personal experiences with dog cancer. Each True Tail was written to – and for –
you, the reader of this edition, by other dog lovers who have benefitted from this guide and my Full Spectrum approach. We could only include a fraction of those we received; but hopefully these voices will remind you that you are not the first one to deal with dog cancer. There are people who understand what you are going through, and have reached out deliberately to support you at this time.

I want to remind you that this book is in no way a substitute for professional, in-person care from your own vet. Dr. Ettinger and I do not recommend you follow any advice for treating cancer without having a vet examine your dog and diagnose your dog.

A lot of what we recommend we would not advise for a healthy dog, or for a dog that is sick with an illness other than cancer. Because of this, I urge you to bring your vet into the conversation we have in these pages. This book is designed to help you work closely with him or her.

In this section of the book we’ll lay the foundation for Full Spectrum cancer care. We’ll talk about your role in your dog’s cancer care, answer the three most pressing questions dog lovers have and remind you of your dog’s inherent “super powers,” in preparation for learning more about dog cancer.

W
hen your dog has cancer, everything changes. An otherwise typical moment – your dog running after a ball – can seem precious and fleeting. Some people stay up at night, watching their dog’s breathing, wondering how many more breaths she has. Time flies by ... or slows down. Your whole life may seem unstable. You may ride the “emotional rollercoaster,” or you may feel stuck in an “emotional rut.”

This disorientation and emotional upset is normal, of course, but it can interfere with getting your dog the help she needs right now. Over the years, I have noticed that dog lovers who adopt a certain kind of attitude, role and mindset seem to have the most success dealing with their dog’s cancer. I’ll describe that role in this chapter, and I encourage you to consider adopting it for yourself and your dog.

If you are like most dog lovers, you may still have difficulty believing you must deal with dog cancer at all.

Disbelief is a normal reaction; as a fellow dog lover, I truly sympathize. But disbelief doesn’t help your dog. Changing your thoughts, from “I can’t believe this” into “I can deal with this,” is your first priority.

Your first step takes you from being a
Dog Lover
to becoming a
Dog Guardian
.

What’s the difference? It’s subtle, but important.

For a
Dog Lover,
a dog is a family member, and watching a beloved family member get sick or feel pain is extremely upsetting. A Dog Lover’s primary mode of relating is through shared emotional bonding.

A
Dog Guardian
feels the same way about her dog, but her first priority is protecting her dog. This is an important responsibility, because dogs have evolved to become dependent on us, and dogs with cancer are particularly vulnerable. As your dog’s guardian, you will now face many confusing decisions, and you will need to stay calm in order to choose wisely.

In the extreme urgency of dealing with a dog cancer diagnosis, you could imagine the role of a guardian as much like the role of a bodyguard. The world’s best-trained bodyguards are United States Secret Service Agents, so let’s take a look at how they operate.

If the President of the United States is in physical danger, his Secret Service agents take charge of his person and his actions. Even if the President wants to stay in a dangerous place – to help others or to make sure his family is all right – his guardians will not allow it. Their priority is the President’s safety. They are empowered, confident, and mentally and physically prepared to deal with anything, even with the President, himself. They protect him, defend his boundaries, assess situations with wisdom and fight when necessary.

Guardians, whether they guard Presidents or pooches, set their own priorities and take action based only on those priorities.

As your dog’s guardian, you acknowledge that you are in charge, that only you know your dog as well as you, and that no one else (not even your vet) can truly know what is best for you and your dog. You are her fiercest advocate for health and happiness. You take advice from well-informed and trusted sources; you also make the final decisions. You are empowered.

So, then, what is your first priority, if you are your dog’s guardian? When I had just graduated from veterinary school, my answer was “Finding the right treatment as soon as possible.”

Today, after years of research and experience, I know better. Your first priority is to clear your mind and heart of emotional upset.