How many mornings from here on out will begin with thoughts of Chami?  Although I was up two times last night I didn’t have to do as much for the old gal so perhaps my focus will shift back to normal in a while. Chami is now able to get up and turn around on her own so I don’t have to worry about bed sores any more, and she didn’t wet herself.  She had improved considerably since yesterday and by the time she asked to go outside to piddle she had re-mastered the art of walking with only a few hiccups and a little help from us. I gave her a massage and physical therapy, dosed her with medication, and then prepared an elaborate meal for her.

 

After my own meal I took Rio for a walk up the Butte. Bob walked up the Butte later in the day and took Rio with him too. As the day came to a close, our neighbor, Ed, asked if he could take Rio for a walk with him and his dog, Radcliff, so Rio isn’t feeling so lonely today.

 

We went back to the vet late in the day for her regularly scheduled appointment. Susan said the wound looked good, and of course everyone was impressed at how well Chami behaved. The few times she was in pain and started to squirm I would firmly tell her, “stay” and she’d settle down fast. Once the wrap was on I got up to leave but Susan said, with a noticeable tone of seriousness, that the results were back from the pathologist already. The news was good, and bad.

 

Chami’s tumor is classified as a grade 2 (out of four). The tumor was large (three centimeters), which is serious. Unfortunately, there is really no way of telling just how bad things are.  The remaining cancer could spread quickly, or could go away. Susan feels pretty sure the cancer isn’t systemic and is still just in the leg. If we wanted to amputate the leg we would probably cut away all the cancer, but at what emotional and physical cost. Of course Chami will keep her leg and we’ll help her fight off the remaining cancer with diet, herbs, along with lots of love and happiness. Our hope is to give her the strongest immune system possible so she can keep the cancer from spreading, or at least slow it down. We will begin an elaborate protocol of creating a natural, whole-foods diet for Chami, with herbs and supplemental products as well.

 

I left the vets with a bag full of bottles then went shopping for ingredients to make Chami’s new meals. I spent more than $200 on the stuff we’ll need to keep her strong and healthy. It is a bit daunting to think about spending an extra $100 a month, not to mention the hour a day it takes to prepare all these remedies and the continuing vet expenses. If she lives for another three years, which is our goal, then she’ll end up being one expensive pup. But how does one put a value on how much the love of a good dog is worth. Our kitchen counter is now littered with jars and tubs of various potions. It took more than an hour to create the first batch of this holistic canine cancer diet. I doubled the recipe so I will only have to make a fresh batch every two or three days.  Following is the recipe for those who are interested in a holistic approach to cancer treatment for dogs. I suspect a similar diet would be best for humans with cancer. In fact, the whole food, protein-rich vegetable, whole grain and low sugars approach would be the most natural way for all omnivores to eat, I should think.

 

1 lb lean ground beef, lightly cooked

1/3 lb beef livers, lightly cooked

1½ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup lightly cooked veggies (grated or minced in a food processor; use one or more of the following: broccoli, cabbage, spinach, parsley, kale, sprouts, green beans, carrots)

4 ½ Tablespoons olive oil or flax seed oil

2 teaspoons (9000 mg) fish oil (cod liver oil)

2 teaspoons Natural Calcium Powder (which is 1 teaspoon calcium carbonate, and ¾ teaspoon di-calcium phosphate or bone meal)

1/3 teaspoon potassium chloride (salt substitute)

Mix the above ingredients together. This makes a one-day supply for a 75-90 lb dog. I double the recipe and make it last three days since Chami weighs 65lbs.

(Pour powder from capsules into each individual serving.

Add to each individual serving a canine daily vitamin

Add to each individual serving a small animal/canine anti-oxidant capsule

When first starting off, add this concoction in smaller amounts to normal dog food. Take about one week to transition your dog to a complete, whole-food diet.

 

This formula was developed by Greg Ogilvie, DVM at Colorado State University Animal Center. Vegetables and other alterations suggested by Susan Bertram, DVM, Holistic Animal Clinic, Bend, Oregon.