The Best Dog in the World is Fighting Cancer

by Angie
(Milwaukee, WI)

I adopted my dog Duke when he was 11 years old. I knew that we would not have many years together, but I didn't know that just 2 months after adopting him he would be diagnosed with Oral Melanoma.

That was almost 16 months ago now.

I call him the best dog in the world because I can't imagine a sweeter, stronger dog exists anywhere.

Last summer his tumor had grown very large. Then one day he wouldn't eat. I thought it might be time but from that day forward the tumor started to shrink. His tumor was completely gone for several months.

Unfortunately, it started coming back this winter. I've noticed it growing a lot in the last week. I have been hopeful, but I can imagine that he can't beat this horrible cancer twice.

Average survival for a dog after diagnosis of oral melanoma is 5 - 8 months. He has doubled that, and is still doing well. Now we are back to the mode of keeping him comfortable.

I will be so sad when the time comes, but I know I will have done my best for him. He is almost 13 years old, and for a big 110 pound dog that is very old.

(Submitted Friday, June 07, 2013)