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Robin & Marlee I grew up in a rural community in south central Virginia on a cattle farm. When I was in the 8th grade, my parents gave my brother and I sister Springer Spaniels. They were the most adorable pups. Each with their own distinct personality, but both enjoying being able to run around on the farm and play with my brother, myself, and our friends. The dogs were a delight for our family and were our childhood dogs. I left for college and after coming home one weekend, I met the dogs' gruimer in our front yard. I helped get "Robin" into the truck for her grooming and the technician mentioned that she felt a lump on Robin's throat. Long story short, after numerous tests, it turned out to be cancer. No treatment options were ever mentioned. Robin was simply left to endure the progress of the disease until she could no longer function — at which time she was put to sleep. Less than a year later, Marlee, the second spaniel, was found to have a cancerous mass in her abdomen. She was immediately put down, as to avoid the long, sad demise her sister endured. I still have difficulty telling this story, over 10 years later. I feel like, had our dogs had more treatment options or a more educated vet, that they might have enjoyed a longer life. Unlike many other, my family had the financial resources to do whatever was needed to be done to save the dogs...but we did not have the knowledge. FETCH is so important because it not only raises funds, it raises awareness. |
