The dog behind the artist

The day Cass waddled into my life - a grossly overweight 4 year old Rottweiler demanding that I adopt her - was the day I learned the meaning of unconditional love.

Cassie runs my life. She sets my schedule (which revolves around her), keeps my feet on the ground and a smile on my face.

A week after she arrived, I helped save Cassie from almost certain death. My vet and I discovered she had advanced heartworm, and we treated and defeated it. Cass and I bonded during the delicate recuperation process, at which time I learned of her spectacular couch-hogging skills.

In August 07 Cassie was diagnosed with canine MS (degenerative myelopathy). She was supposed to be unable to walk by April, but we never really believed that and she remained strong and active thanks to lots of exercise, a fabulous home-cooked diet, a younger boyfriend (Bobby, my golden retriever stepdog) and a plethora of vitamin and mineral supplements - as per the advice we followed on an excellent website concerning degenerative myelopathy in dogs:

http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm

We are now facing a new challenge - bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in Cass's front left shoulder, confirmed on 20th June '08. Because of her MS and her age (9), we decided against amputation. So we are treating her rigorously by alternative means, using 'Zeolite Enhanced' drops as a mainstay of the treatment, together with a range of other fantastic, potent, anti-cancer remedies. The latest and most encouraging of these is Artemisinin. Added to these supplements is a great, wholly organic, home-cooked diet with plenty of freshly caught herring and laughter and exercise - all the enemies of cancer! As at mid October, we are still doing well!

A big thank you to George and Sue who run an excellent Australian canine cancer website. They helped me enormously (and kindly) and are well worth a visit: http://www.dogcancer.net.au. Their article about Artemisinin, a fabulous natural cancer fighting product, will give you hope! Read this at http://www.dogcancer.net.au/RP/CancerSmartBombPart1.htm
The website also features other excellent products, such as K9 Immunity.

Another website I applaud is Ted Schneck's U.S. website: http://www.DogCancerRide.com

Ted lost his beloved Marty to cancer after keeping him alive and happy for much, much longer than the vets had anticipated. Ted rode his bike across American to raise money for canine cancer research. Please visit his website and if you can, donate something (even a $1 donation is hugely appreciated!).

A 'human' website that could save your life

During my research, I discovered an extremely encouraging, clear and comprehensive 'human' cancer-fighting website using all natural strategies. I've used many of the products on Cassie, with good result, and I hope this site does some good for you if you're ever in a similar spot.

http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/print.html

I already saved her life once, but Cass has saved mine many times over, in so many ways. Now we are going to keep this gorgeous gal going for as long and healthily as possible. Please send us your positive thoughts! Click here for more pics on the artists dog.

Best wishes and good health from
Margot and Cassie.

January 09 Update:
I lost my beloved Cassie on 3rd December 08. She passed away peacefully with her head on my lap, as I spoke to her of walks and beach and bones and dinner and the names of all the people who loved her. We thank all the people who helped us along the way. Cass had a wonderful life, and was wagging her beautiful stump right up to the moment we decided to stop her pain. Right now, my heart is in a million pieces. But I'm working on being happy again, because Cass would want it that way. Cass is now a beautiful, proud, happy, healthy Rottweiler Angel. Go Angel Cass!

April 09 Update:
Cassie still rules my heart, but a new little poppet - Molly, a rescue pup from new south wales rottweiler rescue - has entered my life. It is early days, but Molly is already making her own special place in my heart. Life goes on after all.

January 10 Update:
Molly is one year old and I love her. She is different to Cass, just as every human is different, but it is an illuminating journey watching her develop and socialise, play and develop her very own personality. Life is good.