Shared Stories

Each of us participates in Dogswalk for various reasons. Maybe you lost your canine friend, a loved one, a family member, or you are simply supporting the fight against human and animal cancers. Whatever the case may be, thank you for joining us.

Please share your story of why you are a part of the Dogswalk.
Email us at: ea.dogswalk.nyc@cancer.org

Felicia Gray of GothamCanine.com writes:

“Memphis’ diagnosis of prostate cancer first revealed itself in June ’08, which was eight months before his untimely death.  The reason why I say his diagnosis first revealed itself is because no one not a general vet, surgeon, internist or oncologist could confirm the presence of prostate cancer. They were only about 80-90% sure.  Since Memphis showed no symptoms and no test or surgery could provide the answers, I decided to declined invasive treatments and took a gamble that the doctors got the diagnosis wrong.  Especially given the fact, it’s very rare for vets to see prostate cancer at the beginning stages.  Veterinarians usually see it once it has progressed so far that dogs only have a few months.
 
Well, fast-forward seven months. Memphis started experiencing health issues.  His appetite declined and he started to lose weight and developed a urinary track infection and incontinence.  After seven months of a happy energetic dog, Memphis had a rapid decline that could not be slowed down.  Due to the fact that my family relocated to the west coast around the time of the diagnosis, we had to tackle the challenge of locating a vet and specialist on the west coast.  I was lucky to connect with the Veterinary Medical Specialist practice.  It was there in mid-January that an internist delivered the news that I was hopeful of escaping, “Your dog has prostate cancer and he only has a few months.”  Hearing that your dog has cancer is a very paralyzing moment and the actual act of putting your long time companion down is an emotionally gut-wrenching experience.  It’s very hard to articulate the emotions.  The love of your dog will never leave your heart and to be honest, why would you want it to.”

Patti Moyles, Golden Bone winner, writes:

“I starting walking in the Dogswalk very early on with my cocker spaniel because I believe in the cause and it was something fun to do with my dog.  I took a break when she got older and sick, but started again after I got Max.

Given the current state of the economy, I very seriously considered not walking this year.  I didn't feel comfortable asking for money when so many of us, myself included are struggling.  But, Feb 23rd of this year changed all that.  On that day, two of my friends both lost their dogs to cancers.  The loss of Cocoa was particularly hard to take, as she was still young, just six years old and she was also Max's best friend.  She was diagnosed with an aggressive, untreatable form of stomach cancer and that diagnosis was made by the specialists at the Animal Medical Center. I realized than how wrong it would be not to participate this year. So we're back again, doing our best to raise as much as we can in these difficult times.”

Team SMK, In Memory of Sena, writes:

“On my 36th birthday, I was told my sweet Sena had "pre-cancer cells" in her urine. What in the world did that mean? Ultrasound revealed no signs of tumors growing in the bladder, which was where the vets felt it would likely manifest itself. We'd caught it early; lucky us, is it better to know ahead of time or not? For each person that situation will differ. For me, it was hard to grapple with the knowledge and I found myself dazed and shocked, because I couldn't face losing my best friend. But Sena quickly reminded me that she lived in the moment and I should too. With medication that kept the cells from forming in the bladder and frequent monitoring of her urine, we enjoyed another six months of "making every moment count." I often said she was the dog who didn't know she had cancer. Just a few days before the really bad symptoms took a hold of her, Sena was herding sheep. She really enjoyed that day and I'll never forget it. The decline in her health was rapid and within three weeks, we learned that the cancer had basically eaten into her vertebrae. How she was still walking was a wonder to everyone. She showed no signs of quitting until that last day she gave me that look no pet owner ever wants to see in their beloved pet's eyes. It has been almost two years now since she's been gone, and while I know I chose the right path for her by deciding against invasive procedures, I would give anything to have her back. My two sisters also lost their dogs to two different types of cancer, and we consider the three of them our angels waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. This walk is in their memory.”