Jak's Hemangiosarcoma Fund
Donation protected
Howdy! I'm Jak Picinich. I am 2 1/2 years old and I'm a red doberman. On first glance, sometimes people might find me scary, but I LOVE people! Especially people with treats! (wink, wink...got any?) ;) I adore my family - parents, daughters, grandpa and my oh yeah, my silly sister Mia.
Up until last week, I was a regular blood donor helping to save the lives of other dogs and I was planning to be a therapy dog. I touch the hearts of many humans I meet, showing them that not all big dogs are scary or mean. I also know when I'm around people who are special - like kids and seniors - and am very careful with them. I would go to the mat for my family, any day, any time.
Last week, I was at the vet's office a lot for some reason. I mean, I love her and all but come on! I also noticed mom and dad were acting weird. I kept licking salty liquids off their faces. I'm not sure what's going on, exactly...
My right leg hurts...a lot. It keeps getting in the way when I'm running and playing with Mia. The doctor I saw this morning was so sweet - I liked her right away and she didn't even have TREATS! Since I have no idea what's going on, I'm going to let my mom tell the rest of the story.
**
Thanks, Jak. :)
Our wonderful oncologist, Dr. Sarbu with Veterinary Oncology Center, confirmed what we first discovered last week during routing xrays looking for a torn ACL. Our big boy has OsteoSarcoma. It's a very aggressive bone cancer with a very iffy prognosis so we have had to process it all and make big decisions very quickly.
If Jak were 10 years old, this might be an easier choice to make him comfortable and let him go. But he's not. He's barely two. So, we have chosen to take on his cancer with the commitment of making HIS life as HAPPY, COMFORTABLE and as LONG as possible. While selfishly we want to keep him as long as we can, the focus is on HIM being happy and COMFORTABLE.
The odds are not in our favor yet at the same time, we also cannot know if he will be one to come through this if we do not try. We have a 50/50 chance of having him living a good life for another year, a 1 in 4 chance of having him a good life for two more years and a chance of longer.
We will be removing his right hind leg which will provide him relief from the rapidly growing tumor destroying his bone. At that time we will be able to clearly determine the exact cancer and type of chemotherapy to control the metastatis. Our team is also exploring possible clinical trials as an option for Jak as a way for him possibly benefit and to contribute to research on OsteoSarcoma. We will know more as they days go on.
We have had friends indicate they would be interested in supporting Jak. We created this page to raise funds to support the significant costs of his cancer treatment - the chemotherapy. All funds raised will go PRIMARILY to his medical costs which altogether will most likely be over $10,000. We will cover as much as we are able.
ANY FUNDS RAISED OVER and ABOVE his costs will go to fund OsteoSarcoma research - looking for new and more effective treatments so that future owners can receive a better prognosis and more treatment options.
Our family would be BEYOND GRATEFUL for any support you can lend. Jak's surgery will most likely take place this week and we've already racked up $1200 to date just to get to the diagnosis.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering supporting Jak.
With Love,
The Picinich Family
Mike, Martha, Kayla, Megan, Jak & Mia
Up until last week, I was a regular blood donor helping to save the lives of other dogs and I was planning to be a therapy dog. I touch the hearts of many humans I meet, showing them that not all big dogs are scary or mean. I also know when I'm around people who are special - like kids and seniors - and am very careful with them. I would go to the mat for my family, any day, any time.
Last week, I was at the vet's office a lot for some reason. I mean, I love her and all but come on! I also noticed mom and dad were acting weird. I kept licking salty liquids off their faces. I'm not sure what's going on, exactly...
My right leg hurts...a lot. It keeps getting in the way when I'm running and playing with Mia. The doctor I saw this morning was so sweet - I liked her right away and she didn't even have TREATS! Since I have no idea what's going on, I'm going to let my mom tell the rest of the story.
**
Thanks, Jak. :)
Our wonderful oncologist, Dr. Sarbu with Veterinary Oncology Center, confirmed what we first discovered last week during routing xrays looking for a torn ACL. Our big boy has OsteoSarcoma. It's a very aggressive bone cancer with a very iffy prognosis so we have had to process it all and make big decisions very quickly.
If Jak were 10 years old, this might be an easier choice to make him comfortable and let him go. But he's not. He's barely two. So, we have chosen to take on his cancer with the commitment of making HIS life as HAPPY, COMFORTABLE and as LONG as possible. While selfishly we want to keep him as long as we can, the focus is on HIM being happy and COMFORTABLE.
The odds are not in our favor yet at the same time, we also cannot know if he will be one to come through this if we do not try. We have a 50/50 chance of having him living a good life for another year, a 1 in 4 chance of having him a good life for two more years and a chance of longer.
We will be removing his right hind leg which will provide him relief from the rapidly growing tumor destroying his bone. At that time we will be able to clearly determine the exact cancer and type of chemotherapy to control the metastatis. Our team is also exploring possible clinical trials as an option for Jak as a way for him possibly benefit and to contribute to research on OsteoSarcoma. We will know more as they days go on.
We have had friends indicate they would be interested in supporting Jak. We created this page to raise funds to support the significant costs of his cancer treatment - the chemotherapy. All funds raised will go PRIMARILY to his medical costs which altogether will most likely be over $10,000. We will cover as much as we are able.
ANY FUNDS RAISED OVER and ABOVE his costs will go to fund OsteoSarcoma research - looking for new and more effective treatments so that future owners can receive a better prognosis and more treatment options.
Our family would be BEYOND GRATEFUL for any support you can lend. Jak's surgery will most likely take place this week and we've already racked up $1200 to date just to get to the diagnosis.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering supporting Jak.
With Love,
The Picinich Family
Mike, Martha, Kayla, Megan, Jak & Mia
Organizer
Martha Picinich
Organizer
Seattle, WA
