Thank you DOGSTER & ALL our pals

It is no secret that it has been awhile since we have had a chance to play here at Dogster. We have missed so many of our dear friends, who mom still credits with the ACTUAL turning point in her grieving for my loss from complications of IMHA. My sister McKenna kept trying to encourage her to make a memorial page for me, and my mom was not coping very well, but looking back, her regret was that it took her so long to try.

Mirra takes exceptional care of mom, who you have heard me say is a real handful. Mom always said I had a killer sense of humor.. We were FURtunate to make some terrific lifelong friends here, too, including the Dogster Dog. We have witnessed and PAWticipated in some very rewarding endeavors, all undertaken because ONE dog had a need and another a vision. No one individual, regardless of species can do everything on their lonesome, but together, it can literally move mountains. The things some of the dogs we have known and their people do.. Some really inspiring things FUR others.

It has to be mentioned too that the powers that be have been incredibly kind to allow us to do the fund-raising and advocacy work we try to do on behalf of others. IT has the potential to help all of us really, because IMHA, like many diseases, makes every opportunity to rear its ugly head. Dogster has aimed a bright and shining light in our direction and have honored me numerous times, and my little sister too. They must have a way of knowing we Angels watch over those we love, and still BARK OUT LOUD, almost as if we are under the Dogster Rainbow of Love..

It is actually the name of an ecollage mom did awhile back that used to be on The Purple Girls of Oregon page.. It is not there right now, so finding it again will as usual become another obsession that Mirra will need to monitor.. as today came the realization that all of my littermates are now with me, here at the Bridge.. My youngest sister Frannie lived just shy of 2 months time of our 16th birthday today.

With only memories left, even living vicariously through others changes things that like the early days of loss, PAWhaps not as crippling mind you, but are considerably harder than other days that along. AnniFURsaries of special times, dates, memories of too short a time with our loved ones can rear up and seize our loved ones. Then as if out of the blue, or in our case, PURPLE, an email comes from Dogster telling mom & Mirra that my diary is a pick of the day on my woofday. It is a rather humbling reminder for mom that there is a reason we got so comfortable here, and that it is important not to forget.

We therefore want to write and say thank you to the friends who remembered that today was my birthday, (and a dear old friend's too.. A member of Mica's Team (now Angel Ladysmith) a lovely Dalmation. We'd like to thank the Watch Dog and the Dogster Dog FUR all of their encouragement and support of our pack, who LOVES DOGS. Mirra correctly reminds me CATS TOO!, but also to thank our friends who happened to come by Dogster often or like us, have been away awhile, and so FURtunate for my family they happened to on a day like today, and then sent kind words, gifts and recently a brand new team member (Scooter Paws) in the form of a donation to Mica's IMHA RESEARCH & FUND, rather than what we see way too much of..
Yes, diagnoses and losses. THOSE we can clearly do completely without too.

Mom can't see to type through a deluge of the same hot tears so many of you know from time to time. For her today I at least will rest easier knowing Mirra is close by, and the reason for the tears is at least more bittersweet. I will join my mom & our MIRRAcle in saying how much we apPAWc8 those of you who have been our friends and supporters (in my memory) but in HONOR of all furry family members who have ever been loved as deeply as we are. On behalf of others who either are facing a hurdle in their own lives due to circumstances outside their control, and need a PAW..
This is a place where you may find yourself surprised at what you will find.. perhaps it is in honor of an animal that never got that chance to be loved or those who still have the potential, because of some dogs around here and their people who know the difference.

What an incredible opPAWtunity the love of an animal can mean to us as people in this life, and we are supposed to be the smart ones! SO much of what I have learned as the mom to these two Belgians has come from living with a species that I do not naturally even share a language with!
One thing I have never been very good at is either writing as the person or the dog, but I assume like most other things PAWractice makes PAWfect.. what I do know that my people do know is just how naturally it comes to give love to an animal in return. If one is open to the lessons it can teach, imagine the potential it might bring about FUR the rest of human & animalkind..

Thank you (again), esp. If you are still with us here..
LOVE
Angel Mica-the wonderpup, Mirra & Mel.. Aka the Purple Girls of Oregon
ecollage.org

P.s. with mom's aPAWloGEEs FUR any typos or this will never get done..

Artemisinin for Canine & Human cancers

We like this and also know several dogs who have been using this effectively. It's ONE more sign of HOPE.. We hope and PRAY. With special KUDOS to our friend Guillermo Cuoto, who is a favorite IMHA researcher of ours, mentioned in this piece too. God Bless you..

Ad no, we cannot make any guarantees, nor do we stand to benefit from posting this. We hold no stock or financial interest of any kind. We just want our FURRY friends to be healthy and HERE..
XO
Mel, Mirra & Angel Mica, aka the Purple Girls of Oregon, and the Girls of May..

We posted this 3 times, so there is a better chance that our pals will see it.
Thanks FUR understanding the repetition..


SUMMARY of artemisinin
Artemisinin is an herb that helps kill cancer cells in the body. It may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy. It may be used before radiation treatments, but should be discontinued when starting radiation therapy, and not resumed until two months after the last radiation treatment. Dosages for each individual dog are usually determined by the owner with the help of his or her veterinarian, oncologist, or by consulting one of the sources at the end of this article. It is given away from food or supplements containing iron, and is cycled, that is given for a number of days, and then not given for a number of days. It has been used for years as an anti-malarial drug, and does not have toxic side effects at the doses recommended. It may decrease the effectiveness of seizure medication. One should monitor blood chemistry, kidney and liver enzymes, while on this drug, as with most other medications.
More information, including suppliers and researchers willing to consult about the drug with you or your veterinary practitioner are in the following article.
WHAT IS ARTEMISININ
Artemisinin is an herbal drug that has been shown to kill human and canine cancer cells in the laboratory. It is also being used to treat people and dogs with cancer.
It has been an effective anti-malarial drug in Asia for decades, so there is long standing knowledge about its effects and side effects. It works because the malaria parasite collects iron from the blood and stores it. The Artemisinin converts the collected iron into a chemical that releases a free radical, which then kills the malaria parasite.
It is one of four compounds derived from the herb Artemisia annua L., also known as sweet wormwood, annual wormwood, or sweet Annie. (It is not the same plant as perennial wormwood.)
HOW DOES IT WORK ON CANCER?
Cancer cells also collect and store iron because they need extra iron to replicate DNA when they divide. Therefore, the cancer cells have a higher concentration of iron than normal cells, and can be differentiated from normal cells. Two researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle, Professors Henry Lai, PhD and Narendra Singh, MBBS, began to study the use of Artemisinin in human patients. Then, in l999, working with a vet, they began to study its use in dogs with cancer.
Their experience has confirmed that Artemisinin helps stop the growth of cancer cells in dogs. Numerous anecdotal reports from people using Artemisinin for dogs with osteosarcoma, lymphoma, and metastases from osteosarcoma claim that it has extended their dogs lives beyond what was expected.
ARTEMISININ DERIVATIVES
Artemisinin has two derivatives: Artesunate, which has a relatively short half-life; and Artemether, which may be a more effective derivative, because it stays in the body longer. It also may be more effective than Artemisinin alone in brain cancers, because it penetrates the blood-brain barrier more readily.
A product called Artemix is available from Wellcare Pharmaceuticals. It contains Artesunate, Artemether, and Artemisinin. The combination capsule may be more effective than Artemisinin alone.
HOW TO GIVE ARTEMISININ:
The optimal treatment regimen has still to be determined, and researchers are conducting trials to determine the best combination of derivative form, dosage and timing. In the meantime, the following protocols have been recommended.
PROTOCOLS
Dosage: Initially, Dr Lai recommended a dose of 2.2-4.4mg of Artemisinin per pound of bodyweight. More recently, he has said that it may be preferable to use only Artemether and give it two times a day, 12 hours apart, keeping some in the blood stream at all times.
Dr.Singh believes taking all three forms of Artemisinin at the same time (bedtime) once a day is the most effective treatment protocol.
Dr. Cuoto recommends 6.6-8.8mg Artemisinin per pound.
Holley Pharmaceuticals is recommending up to 11-16mg Artemisinin per pound.
(For kilogram dosages, multiply the dose per pound by 2.2)
Timing: Again, there is some variation in timing. Some people split the dose, giving some in the morning and some before bed. Some give it all just before bed.
There is agreement that Artemisinin should not be given within 3 hours of food containing iron – for example, meat. It may also be better given away from anti-oxidants since it works by creating free radicals that attack the cancer cells, and anti-oxidants are harmful to free radicals.
Giving it with some fat is recommended, but not necessary. Many people disguise the capsules in cream cheese or other dairy product, or peanut butter. If your dog won’t take capsules, it may be emptied into whipped cream or other non-iron containing food. (It is quite bitter tasting.)
Cycling: Herbal remedies are thought to be more effective if they are “cycled” or “pulsed”, that is, given for a certain number of days, and then not given for a certain number of days. It is believed that if the body rests between doses, it will be less likely to build up a resistance to the herb, which will then be more effective for a longer period of time. Artemisinin may be cycled or pulsed by days or weeks.
Examples: One protocol for a 70-pound dog with OS consists of a 100 mg capsule of Artemisinin (Art-E) in the morning, and a capsule of Artemix before bed. This course is followed for two weeks on and then one week off.
A 60-pound dog is given 200mg of Artemisinin in the morning, and 40 mg of Artemether in the evening, 5 days on and 2 days off.
Another dog has been given mega doses one day per week.
Each person needs to determine the amount and frequency of giving Artemisinin and its derivatives to his or her dog, taking into account how the dog responds to the treatment, and other factors. Your holistic or conventional veterinarian or oncologist may be willing to help you with this. (There is contact information in the resources at the end of this article for further individual help, either through email to Dr Lai or Dr Cuoto, or through the BCD members or the Artemisinin yahoo group members.)
TOXICITY
When Artemisinin was tested with monkeys, they showed no toxicity after they received up to 292 mg/kg (642 mg/pound) of Artemether over 1 to 3 months.
Animal research has shown neurotoxic results with massive doses of Artemether—150mg/kg/day (330mg/pound).
Generally, at the lower recommended doses of 2-16 mg/pound, there is no reported toxicity.
BLOOD WORK
It is recommended that kidney and liver enzyme levels be monitored though out your dog’s treatment with Artemisinin or other herbal or alternative therapies.
SIDE EFFECTS
Reported (Oral): Artemisia may cause abdominal pain, bradycardia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, flu-like symptoms, fever, and decreased reticulocyte count. (Bradycardia is a resting heart rate of 60 beats or less.)
(BCD: One assumes these oral reports were from humans!)
RADIATION
Radiation releases iron stored in cancer cells into surrounding tissue. Therefore, it is recommended that it be used before radiation treatments, be discontinued during radiation treatments, and not resumed until two months after the last radiation treatment.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Artemisinin was tested in combination with 22 chemotherapy drugs and was found to enhance the drugs’ effectiveness. If used in conjunction with chemotherapy, it should be taken several hours after the chemotherapy treatment ends. (Artemisinin does not alleviate possible chemotherapy side effects.)
Butyrex or Butyrin
May increase the effectiveness of Artemisinin, but there is no certainty of this.
INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTIONS
Professor Narenda Singh, MBBS is reported to have developed an instruction page for physicians considering intramuscular injections of Artesunate.
ARTEMISININ PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM:
Holley Pharmaceuticals 1-866-846-5539, 714-871-7070
Wellcare Pharmaceuticals 1-877-728-2073
International: A person in Germany was able to reach an International Pharmacy that ordered Artemisinin from: Nutricology
Make sure the Artemisinin product you buy comes from a source that certifies the strength of the dose as there is wide variation in the amount of Artemisinin collected from plant to plant.
DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS
As with other complementary or alternative therapies, Artemisinin’s effectiveness is enhanced by a good diet, high in protein and low in carbohydrates. (See files.)
Antioxidants help to clear the body of the waste from Artemisinin’s action on cancer cells. Dr. Singh recommends Vitamin C for its anti-cancer properties, but does not recommend glutathione, which may reduce the efficacy of Artemisinin.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Herb-Drug Interactions
Antacids: Artemisia interferes with antacids, sucralfate, proton pump inhibitors, and histamine-receptor antagonists because it increases the production of stomach acid.
(BCD Note: Many OS dogs are on some form of over-the counter antacid for other medications they are on. You might want to add one if your dog exhibits gastrointestinal symptoms when taking Artemisinin, or if the drug is less effective while the dog is on it. Pepcid AC is well tolerated.)
Antiseizure medications:
According to Dr Lai, after long term use at high doses, Artemisinin increases an enzyme in the body that makes some anti-seizure drugs less effective. He recommends increasing the dose of the anti-seizure drug, if possible, or stopping Artemisinin for several days, and the enzyme levels will return to normal.
(BCD Note: One person using Artemisinin for her seizure grey reports no ill effects from the herb. Consult with your vet if your dog is prone to seizures.)
CONTACTS
Dr. Lai; Professor; 206-543-1071; Email: hlai@u.washington.edu
Questions About Artemisinin: (Dr. Lai’s group); Email: qinghao@u.washington.edu
Dr. Singh; Professor; 206 685 2060; Email: Narendra@u.washington.edu
University of Washing Link to research articles http://depts.washington.edu/bioe/about/news/artemisinin/arte misinin.html
Dr. Cuoto; Veterinarian (Conducting Artemisinin study at Ohio State University, and a friend of Greyhounds); Email: couto.1@osu.edu
References
Yahoo Artemisinin_and_Cancer Support Group
Information about a clinical trial at Ohio State –not necessarily in effect currently, but one might inquire.
Whole Dog Journal;New Hope for Treating Cancer, May 2003
Dr. Singh’s recommendations:
Keep a record of the animal’s weight, before and during therapy;
Diagnostic x-ray or biopsy before and after two months of treatment;
Measurements of maximum and minimum tumor sizes before and after 2 months of therapy;
Observe for fever on 2nd or 3rd day and make a note to give enough water during the night;
Keep Artemisinin in dark, indirect light, and keep in cold – 4 degrees centigrade, or 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avoid iron-rich foods such as meat 3 to 4 hours before Artemisinin dose. Make sure dog has an adequate supply of vitamin A D and enough exercise. (Active, healthy, younger dogs are said to do better with the treatment, but older, less active dogs have done well also.)

Our sweet sister is with mica now

Miss Frannie nearly made it to her sweet sixteenth woofday. God-speed dear and loving friend..
Our deepest condolences to her loving pack and all who loved her.

LOVE,
Your Oregon Family

Thank you Valentines

Dogster is not working well for us, but trying to resolve too.
cannot send PPRs, gifts etc.. We wanted to wish everyone a YAPPY day and say TY to every pup who sent greetings & treats. We love you right back!

m, m & angel m, as the purple girls of oregon

PAWlease help

https://www.facebook.com/mel.lewandlebens?ref=tn_tnmn

Pos ted here is a url link to my Facebook page.
Here is why..
Just saw someone dump an absolutely lovely 8 yr old Blind Siberian Husky in a CA shelter. He is reposted on our Facebook page.. First saw the kind link made by a fellow friend & Dogster favorite Teresa Hicks, Angel KISKA'S, and of KJ & Rain's mom.. I have Always known the HUSKY lovers around here to be some of the most loyal, loving, big hearted folks we have ever met..

Does AnYoNe know of a Sibe Rescue Group in CA that can help this fella?
The Baldwin Shelter is where he is. More info available through that link!

We see and speak out against animal neglect and cruelty, recommend adoption, spay & neutering but as you know our main emphasis is to help fund a cure for IMHA. For more informtion PAWlease see ecollage.org
Regarding Mica's IMHA Research & Fund
And her & Mirra's advocacy work... We can use all the hlp we can get. We are dying FUR a cure.

There are lost dogs, which we ALWAYS advocate for, but as you know we cannot do it all, just like no one person can. But if anyone can help this handsome lad, I just feel that we are in it with Mirra FUR as long as we can get with her..
How can someone just dump off an 8 yr old blind dog like this and sleep at night? Its not my dog, and evidently I am losing sleep over this.

We work with Belgian Tervuren Rescue, and Belgian Groendael Rescue closely. We have advocated for Newfoundland Rescue and helped others. There must be a Siberian Rescue out there, that might know a placement for him, or help find him a good home. Won't someone come take a look or contact us here or though Mica's Foundation at ecollage.org
Or on Facebook? PAWlease? Thanks FUR hearing us BOL!
This saddens me, and makes me mad as hell at the same time.
This is a defenseless and blameless animal, once again a victim of some selfish individual out there. If we can be of further help, please contact us.

Mom's work as good samaritan for IMHA noticed & awarded..- Benefits All our furry friends.. :)

http://thegooddogmacompany.com/good-samaritan-of-the-month/


we were just notified that the company will be making a donation (and a mighty generous one too) to Mica's IMHA Research Fund because of this honor. BowWoW! That means a new team player on Mica's Team, so PAWlease, give some love & support to this fledgling company. It may seem slightly DOGcentric of me, but to that I would just like to say a few things. 1) their hearts are in the right place, so asking you to support their efforts has all of our furry friends front & center, where they belong. I refuse to be faulted for that, but also, 2) a huge THANK YOU, to ALL those that keep what we do in the limelight, which in turn honors Mica, but that the wish we have to find the cure is still PAWsible, and with Hope, we still stand a fighting chance! Also, mirra & I really LIKE what The Good Dogma Company stands for, so if you can help them succeed, which is thanking them on our behalf, we would be much obliged, and we can keep the momemtum of the PAW it forward philosophy they stand for a reality!

As you know, times are harder than they have been for some time. Many of us have suffered in all kinds of ways. Even a small donation given with a big heart means hope toward finding a cure. Please, don't just ssume that someone else is always there so you need not be involved. Many of you know that only a month ago, our Baby, Mirra, lost her little sister to IMHA.
It came on hard and fast, in an otherwise healthy four year old dog. She was with our Mica in less than ten days. We invite you to once again visit us at ecollage.org and from there, PAW haps consider coming over to our Etsy shop, where purchases benefit Mica's Fund too, if an outright donation is not your cup of tea.. There are other links as well, including directly to the contribution page for Mica's Fund!
finally, we received a honor from the Good Dogma Company, so would like to recommend that you take a gander at the really commendable work they have started to do. As dog lovers, their hearts are deFURnitely in the right place kids...
We'd like to invite our pals to visit the Good Dogma Company link too. This is an honor for Mica, but in turn honors ALL of our furry loved ones..
Thank you for your consideration!
With love, from mel, mirra & angel mica

Spay/neuter/adopt day

Status: draft   Date: Feb 28 2012 2:08 pm

Entry Title:
spay / neuter day, maybe it should be called spay/neuter/adopt day

Entry Body:
I'm told it's spay / neuter day, and as many of you know, there are not enough good homes to go around as it is, and some of our furry friends just don't have the simple things in life.. A loving home is every dog / or cat's inherent right. As one of God's Creatures, it should be.

As it is, their lives are already way too short, compared to what most of us people get.
But we can do things to help change that. We can adopt the simplest of concepts, such as Spay/ Neuter & Adopt, FUR starters..
Some things simply come naturally, but we know you don't need a biology lesson. We just all need to do something to try and make a difference. We all won't pick the same things to do, which is PAWsome really, because there are SO many things in life out there that need fixing, so latching onto something worth your time is a good place to begin.
This is a site for the Love of Dog, so that's a good place to begin. (for our Dogster diary)
Animals need our assistance at times, just to get a fair shake in life. We created the concept of "companion animals" to suit our own selfish needs as it stands, but many of us fall short in how we allow millions each year to be put down, or starve or just suffer needlessly, because of human neglect, or worse.
We ask the world of them, when it suits our needs, but can we all live with what we ignore, day in and day out? There are many unsung heroes out there, volunteers, who work for the benefit of companion animals, for little or nothing, but the oPAWtunity to try and make a difference, for one, or many. They don't do what they do for attention, and all the ones we know don't get paid either, but their numbers are few and far between, really, by comparison to the numbers of people that exist.
What will it take, for the rest to get involved? I don't know, though I wish I had the answer. We can all do something, albeit making a donation to a worthwhile cause, on behalf of animals, yes, those of us that can't lift a finger of labor can certainly use a pen or swipe a credit card. But will you? It's more my experience, that the answer is no, not unless there is something in it for you. Yes, it's crass, but having spent more than a half decade raising awareness and funding for veterinary research on behalf of my Angel Mica's IMHA Research Fund, I can tell you it's almost a lost cause. It's like speaking on deaf ears for the most part. It's downright frustrating. But because they are worth it, we keep trying to help improve their lives.
Yes, times are hard. They have also gotten harder of late. Yet, we still find ways to live in luxury, with excuses about things that perhaps just don't pertain to us. I have heard it all, and then some. I have also seen that it is generally those who have the least to give are also the most generous of all. In some ways, that reminds me a little about animals themselves. They don't have things that they can share, really, but deep down, they have the ability to share the most of all, just themselves. How much I have learned, and will likely never have enough to pay back what I have been so blessed with either. Understanding that we all have our causes, and interests, and needs. Most of us cannot do it all on our own, but when we share the burdens in life, we spread out what we share, which makes everyones burden lighter. When we sit back, and do absolutely nothing, all we are doing is making another persons load that much more to bear.
So do something. Even the smallest act of kindness will be noticed by someone. It feels good to play a part in life, even when it seems that no one will notice. I know the one least likely to expect something from me today is my dog, Mirra, and yet, if I was completely honest, I would tell you the one in life I would put first is this one. The one that relies on me most, for everything, is also the one that would sit patiently for me to finish this, to just be with her. We don't even have to be doing anything, and I suspect that she likely thinks even that is something else.
This one truly deserves better, but she accepts me the way I am anyway. No matter my mood, or level of engagement, she's ready, willing and waiting. For me. And as usual, it is I that is truly the lucky one. Try and look at it from their perspective now and then, and think about something that you can do, that might enrich the life of someone less fortunate, someone that maybe just needs a family to love, perhaps a little obedience training, or maybe just a little attention?
Again, its a day someone chose to mark a calendar, not to commemorate a holiday, but to raise awareness to a situation that people created, in their infinite lack of wisdom, that we have created some major excesses, and even one too many that exceeds our ability to love and care for makes for a real tragedy, and collectively, our problem to deal with. For those that know and whose lives are blessed by having a companion animal share yours, I don't have to tell you what you'd be missing. You already know that. Yet those that not yet or sadly, who may never know the joy and love that this sort of friend can bring you, open yourself up to the PAWsibility.
If I have any regrets in life its that it took me so long to love one up close.
If you are remotely interested in what we do, please visit ecollage.org for starters. Who knows, it may just jumpstart some good ideas all your own. If so, PAWlease, share them with us.
While we are at it, some friends of like mindedness have some excellent thoughts of their own, and we are equally proud to tell you recommend their ideas, especially in PAW it forward.
Their hearts are deFURnitely in the right place.. Do Visit their blog and share something, of yourself on behalf of animals, who are especially deserving, today and every day.

http://thegooddogmacompany.com/

PAWlease pray FUR Sufi

Pawlease, furiends.. Pawray FUR mirra's sister, SUFI, who was just diagnosed after Christmas with IMHA. She is being treated in the San Francisco Bay area, and her mom is beside herself with worry.

Her current pvc is 17.. Poor Sufi is one sick dog.

we really do need a cure, because they still don't know what triggered it... Like so many we hear from this news hit us terribly hard.
Thank you FUR your pawrayers too mates.. We all need them. Pawlease know tht we have our loved ones in ours too.
May we all have good health in the New Year.
LOVE
Mirra, mel & Angel Mica

heavenly wings

Five years ago this afternoon, our sweet angel earned her Heavenly wings. It was not what ANY dog deserved. A creature, as gentle and fearless, loving and fun as one comes. The diseases that took her often strike together, telling the body that your own blood cells should be sought out for destruction.. The worst of them, in the form of IMHA, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, takes your red blood cells, those that carry oxygen, and necessary for all life functions, and makes them explode, inside, until you are literally starved for air. The second, namely immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, attacks the platelets, so your blood literally cannot clot. If you get as simple as a bruise, you literally bleed to death. It doesn't need to leave the body either. You simply go into hypovolemic (meaning low volume) shock, and you are gone.
Couple that with multiple blood transfusions, so many drugs you almost lose track, and a dog you barely recognize anymore after five days of wasting away, unable to eat, so yellow from jaundice you can hardly see through the torrent of hot wet tears.. When you learn the drugs that are being used to keep her alive have caused a severe and life-threatening pancreatitis, and all you can do is force a morphine drip so once in awhile, through the drug-induced sleepiness you glimpse a small glimmer of the dog you love, the girl you recognize, the one that is still trying her best to fight her way back to you, is already gone, while it breaks your heart not knowing what is the right course of action to take is, and never knowing what caused an otherwise vibrant, healthy and in the prime of her life dog that you love with all you have to give..to have to suffer this much! Not knowing where in excess of ten grand in half that many number of days that have elapsed, will even come from and realizing right then and there that she never will come home..

five years later, the tears are still here, and we still need a cure. Lately I wonder why do I bother to do what we do, because it takes SO much time away from the ones I love, especially Mirra.. We Can't do it alone, and the shoulders that bear the weight with us also cannot do it on their own either, but we are not getting though folks. While we have your undivided, I would like to thank those who have given of themselves, on behalf of others, and how much those of you mean to me, who have tried to help us find what we can to help those who are literally dying for a cure.
I sincerely hope you never have to face it, because it may end up being someone you love, and by then, it may already be too late.

five years later and no cure

Five years ago today we awoke to a battle named IMHA.. Within six days, we lost our lovely and (up to this point) very healthy Belgian Tervuren named mica-the wonder pup! You have heard all of this before, and we know, like so many others, how hard times are.. I suppose I never really understood back then, how long finding answers might take, to solve this wretched disease, and get a handle of some kind, that might make a difference for those who are still being diagnosed. But five years later, we are still at it, and again, we come asking for your support. The most recent hardship we heard of is a lovely three year old girl named Annie, who, like mica, is fighting for her life. I miss my angel, and because ours sent us a miracle, in the form of "Mirra", that I might not have made it this far.. But we cannot win without others, and sadly, for all those who do face this tragedy, so few give back to help us try to help others. Please, get involved, if not with what we are trying to do, with something that makes a difference.

We get so little time with the creatures we love & adore in this life as it is.. To be taken away one day short of all they truly deserve is a tragedy and a sin. Hug your loved ones and do what you can. Thanks for your time.rnLove, mel, mirra and angel mica