Bark It List Items 3 and 18 - Progress Report

Thank you to everyone who has helped with the start of items # 3 and #18 on my Bark It List. #Team Sassafras has been created and our website is up - Fancy! You can sign up to participate on #Team Sassafras and support #3 or you can donate and support #18. Cancer sucks for people and dogs. Let's support research in order to find a cure for our family, friends and man's best friend. #Team Sassafras Site

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALREADY DONATED - YOU ROCK 

& KNOW HOW TO MAKE A GIRL FEEL SPECIAL!!!

This week after my first chemo treatment life hasn't been to rough. I've been a bit sick to my stomach, but the pills the nice doctor gave me seem to really help out. I'm still picky about my food and get this if I wait long enough to eat - mom will hand feed me. How about that! I love this princess treatment. I knew I was meant to be royalty. Tomorrow I have a blood test and urine test scheduled - Fingers crossed for average results! AND then we head out to check Bark It list Item #4 off this weekend! Woo hoo!!
Sharing a picture of me sun bathing, this having a job stuff (official blog writer) is tough work! 

Xo, Sassafras

First chemo treatment down....

Today I went to the vet for my first chemo treatment. I was nervous because I didn't know what to expect, but everyone was very nice to me. And my chemo buddy today was a silver weimaraner named Sophie.  This made me feel a little less anxious. But to be honest, I had to stay there longer than I wanted and wished my mommy, daddy and sister were there with me. The good news is when it was time to go home mommy was there with my sister to pick me up.

Mom told me about all the nice well wishes and prayers people were saying for me today. Thank you these prayers and special messages are important to me and my family. I still don't know if the chemo treatment will make me sick or not, the nice doctor *who likes cats*  told me that side effects usually occur between three and five days after chemotherapy. So I'm keeping my paws crossed that the chemo is able to ward off the nasty cancer cells in my body and doesn't make me sick. The doctor gave me some new food to try that is low in protein because it's important to keep my one kidney healthy now. Most dogs with cancer try a single source high protein diet but as they told me today I'm a special case with cancer, but only one kidney. Hopefully tonight at dinner when I try this NEW food I'll like it. I've heard mom say before that I am a picky eater, but I just like what I like. I'll be sure to let y'all know how it goes. I'm excited tonight sissy and I have date night with grandma and grandpa. Grammy made it clear though that it wasn't a sleep over ; ). I'm home now resting with Indigo and CRABBY. All is right in my world.

Xo, Sassafras

Frustrated...what's for dinner...

So tonight Sassy's mom is a guest writer on her blog...I am so frustrated. I only want to do what is best for our girl. I can't seem to get her food figured out. Prior to her hemangioscaroma diagnosis she ate Taste of The Wild Salmon. When she was diagnosed it was suggested cancer dogs should be on a high protein diet. I tried canned food made for dogs with cancer and Sass didn't jive with this single source protein food. I returned what wasn't eaten and started her on Stella & Chewey Freeze dried lamb, she quickly adjusted to this food. And I'd like to mention these aren't inexpensive foods that we're sampling. However, after her surgery to remove the tumor and her last blood test it was recommended we start a lower protein food due to the that fact that she now only has one kidney. I wanted to follow directions to the T and it was recommend a diet with 10 to 15% or less protein. I found this hard to locate in a good brand food, there was a raw diet that registered at 15% protein and I've read good things online about dogs with cancer and raw diets. I finally got the mixture down, half a patty twice a day with some green beans and Sass was a happy camper. And today I learn....No raw diets, it's not appropriate for chemo patients. And The AVMA website has posted a statement against raw diets for dogs. What the heck am I suppose to feed my girl, low protein, low carbs, but with high quality nutrients for her?!?!?! I feel like I can't win and have lots of half bags or packages of high end/pricey food sitting around our house or freezer. I'm OPEN to suggestions on what you feed your dogs and your experiences especially with cancer dogs or dogs with one kidney. I want to be sure Sassy is given the best during these important months while she undergoes chemotherapy. I also know there isn't a cure to what she has, so I want her to be happy with her food and enjoy meal times. Tonight I feel like I'm not getting it right and hope to soon be able to find the happy medium for feeding time. 

And the List is Ready - My Bark It List

I've been lucky to have a fun and action packed life over the last year and a half with my mom and dad in Elk Grove. Just this year with my sister Indigo - we went to San Diego for a week in April, stayed overnight in a fancy hotel and dined out in San Francisco, went to Crissy Field for some ball action with lots of crazy Weimaraners, I've gone camping with my buddies Diesel and Clinton and I've gone out on a sunset boat ride at Collins Lake!! I don't know if I only have months left or hopefully LOTS of months left, but the list below is going to be my guiding light as I work hard to enjoy everyday and make my life and everyone around me happy!! XO, Sassafras

Sassy’s Bark It List

1.  Enjoy my own Ice Cream Cone from McDonald’s (Not sharing with Indigo)

2. Yoga with Sam and Mommy (others welcome to join us)

3. Lead a team (#Team Sassafras) at the Canine Cancer walk on October 12 @ EG Park - COMPLETED Sunday, October 12

4. Go camping with Grandma and Grandpa Clark - COMPLETE

5. Go hiking with daddy in Forest Hill

6. Watch Mommy get a paw print tattoo - I choose the tattoo

7. Play ball on the beach (bonus if Brody comes too!)

8. Attend Happy Hour (or so called Yappy Hour) with some of my friends

9. Get my picture taken in a police car (bonus – If I get to go for a ride)

10. Attend a biscuit “cooking class” by Dawn Koepke and be the taste-tester - Tonight 11/11

11. Be a model for a day with Robin Hagy as my photographer - COMPLETE 

12. Be on TV specifically Good Day Sacramento - COMPLETE 10/10/14

13. Go on a picnic (Indigo can come too) - Completed after the #K9WalkEG

14. Take a selfie with the Mayor of MY city – Elk Grove

15. Visit the State Capitol

16. Go to work with mommy for a day

17. Host a dinner party for some of my best doggy friends

18. Raise awareness and funds for Canine Cancer Research  - Raised nearly $1,000 thanks to #teamsassafras

19. Facetime with my friend Audi

20. Go somewhere I’ve never been with mommy and daddy for a surprise getaway!! - Happening Saturday - woo hoo!! 

21. Be Indigo's plus one at the Northern CA Weimaraner Gala Fundraiser  - TICKETS PURCHASED - This Sunday 

The Call that changed everything...

Mom knew I wasn't feeling well and we had friends coming in from out of town for the weekend.  Friday, July 25 I didn't want to come out from under the bed because I didn't feel well. I laid low for the weekend, but rallied as much as I could as i love me some visitors. And I did eat my dinner Saturday night when my friend Monica asked me nicely to eat some dinner for her.  However, I just couldn't keep up the act and on Monday mom took me to the vet after work. She learned that I had a 104.7 fever and that is very high for dogs. I was hospitalized for the night to get fluids and antibiotics to help me feel better. Tuesday morning Dr. Long did an ultra sound and found what he thought was a hemangiosarcoma.  One of my favorite doctors called my mom to give her the news and now Tuesday, July 29 is the day our world turned upside down. I was the healthy dog no daily meds and I loved to run and play ball. However, now we were faced with a hemangiosarcoma that was known to burst open and cause a dog to bleed out into their stomach.
Let's step back a moment, I was found as a stray in Los Angeles end of 2012 and was picked up by the dog catcher. I had a hurt leg and was in real bad shape. A YouTube video was made of me and the great people at Muttville decided to rescue me. I made my way from LA to San Francisco and had surgery to fix me up. My Muttville profile.  And here you can read about my rehab and swim therapy Sass rehab blog
Looking at me now you would never know I once only walked on three legs. Now silly cancer has attacked my body. #Team Sassafras is ready to battle, but along the course of my fight I want to focus on the positive and live everyday to the fullest. My surgeon Dr. Vida has amazing hands and was able to get this monster out along with my left kidney! Don't look if you get queasy from gross pics of hemangiosarcomas attached to a kidney!  Pictures to come! Pictures posted!

Now I'm working with my oncologist Dr. O'Brien, she admits to being a cat person but I still like her. Soon we'll come up with our plan of attack and do our best to make every day the best it can be for as long as possible. One day at a time and I can't wait to get these staples out from surgery and play ball again!

In Honor of Danny & The Love of Life

Danny was a great dog who shared the same awesome Muttville foster parents that I did. He too was diagnosed with cancer and his people helped him conquer his Bark It List (bucket list for dogs). With my mom's help after the diagnosis of cancer (specifically hemangiosarcoma) has settled in I decided I too want a Bark It List. Why dwell on cancer when we can be making everyday awesome. Danny taught me this and number one on my Bark It list is to make everyday awesome in honor of Danny Boy. Borrowing from Danny's blog I'd like to make this my mission for the rest of my days - "Living with a terminal illness doesn’t have to be sad – in fact, it makes me and the people who know me live with more passion for the moment and love for each other. take it from me – live life while you can, and make it awesome!" Danny's Bark It List Tuesday my staples come out from the surgery that removed my left kidney and very large hemangiosarcoma and I'll be pondering the rest of my Bark It list with help from my family, friends and #TeamSassafras buddies. Stay tuned... 

Xo, Sassafras