Jinx Bear's Cancer Fund

(Hi, Will you be my friend?)

My name is Jinxy, aka Jinx Bear, aka The Jinx, aka J Bear, aka Jinx Bear Squarehead, aka J Bearingsworth III.


(See... I'm adorable, you should be my friend)

I am a Belgian Sheep Dog Mix, rescued by my Daddy from the NYC ASPCA when I was just a square-headed ball of fluff with a rat tail.


(Seriously, how cute was I?)

I love cuddling and being brushed on my Mommy and Daddy's bed, long walks in the woods, rides in the car, my new puppet that Mommy made for me, wet food in my kibbles, wiping my face on the couch after eating and meaty snacks.


(We could go on walks together in the woods)



(You could drive while we stick our heads out the window)

A couple of weeks before my 9^th birthday my Mommy and Daddy found out that I have cutaneous lymphoma, a very rare and aggressive cancer of the skin.


(We could cuddle when I get a little scared)

Let me tell you my Jinx Tale. It first showed up as a couple of lumps on my back, they were a little itchy but didn't seem too weird. Mommy took me to the doctor who thought they were probably just doggy zits, which sometimes happen when you have so much fur. Several weeks later there were even more lumps, still mostly around my head and neck and the first ones were getting bigger. Now, Mommy and Daddy were very worried, unless I hit old man puberty and got bear acne, it didn't seem like anything good. The doctor said they needed to poke it with a needle to see what it was. I was a trooper and got some snacks when we got home. A week later the doctor called Mommy and told her that it looked like cutaneous lymphoma but the doctor would need to do more tests to be sure.

I know that this news made my Mommy and Daddy very sad. They spent several days just cuddling me, giving me kisses and hugs, and leaking from their faces and making me all wet. After talking a lot about it, because they didn't want to hurt me if it wasn't necessary, Mommy and Daddy decided to get the biopsy done. In the meantime, I must have been a really good boy because they have started giving me delicious chickens in my food and extra treats- but I think they might be trying to make me fat!


(You can give me yummy snacks)

After a couple of very long walks in the forest and nights sleeping on the bed, it was time to go back to the doctor. I'm a little scared of the office but the ladies there are nice and they are always happy to see me and my fluffy face.


(I'll protect you at the Vet, Shhh... I'm listening)

They took me in the back away from Mommy and cut out some portions of my biggest lumps to send away to be looked at. I got 4 stitches like a brave boy, but Mommy and Daddy yelled at me every time I tried to scratch- don't worry I just did it behind their backs.

In the meantime, Mommy called the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Oncology department to make sure I could get an appointment as soon as possible when we had the results. Another several days later, Mommy got another call from the doctor who said it was round cell sarcoma- consistent with cutaneous lymphoma- but still not definitive... uh oh. This information was sent to the new bigger doctor's office which was our next stop for help.

The new doctor told Mommy that they would like to look at some samples themselves, yep a couple more needle pricks, but that it would help them be sure that they were treating the right thing. Mommy and Daddy really don't want me to be uncomfortable for any reason so want to be sure that the right thing is treated from the get go. The doctor also took pictures of my chest and shaved my belly so they could ultra-sound it.


(You can rub my bare Bear belly)

Luckily, we got the all clear and there is no cancer in my other organs... just the lumps in my skin and one lymph node. This means that it is Stage 2 cancer. They gave Mommy a lot of pills that I have to take everyday, and we started the first round of chemotherapy. In the first week everything was great, I had no side effects and when we went back to the Doctor for a check-up and blood tests 8 out of the 15 tumors were gone, poof! The Vet says that sometimes puppies don't have side effects until week two or three but that the results so far seem really good. Based on research it is known that sometimes cutaneous lymphoma responds really well at first, goes into remission for a short time and then comes back and is no longer responsive to the treatment. However, Mommy and Daddy are very hopeful that this is all good news and I will continue to get better so I will have more cuddle time with my Mommy, Daddy and especially my big sister and best furry friend Rozie.



(You can celebrate with my family!)

Unfortunately, all those tests were very expensive. Mommy and Daddy want to do everything they can for me, but it is all going to cost a lot of money. Daddy is a Resident at Delaware County memorial and Mommy will be staying at home to take care of me while I fight my battle with cancer and take care of my Daddy who works so hard, so money is tight. They could use some help from the people that love us. Anything will help and will be so greatly appreciated. The funds will go towards the cost of my diagnosis, treatment, and medication bills. Any additional funds received beyond my needs will be donated to Smile for a Cure fund which is intended to rally every human who loves dogs to step up the transformation of research into treatments and cures that can soon benefit all my doggy friends fighting for their lives because of Cancer, http://www.smileforacure.org/. Once Daddy is an Attending, in 4 more years, Mommy and Daddy will be paying forward all the love and generosity to others that need help in caring for their very loved furry family members and in my name! No dog should suffer or be put to sleep because their family can't afford to take care of them. Thank you for reading my story and for your help. Please share my story with your friends and family and help me beat this cancer!


(Will you be my friend and help?)