Moose's cancer treatment

Hello friends, family, and Moose fans,

Our beloved companion and adventure-loving sidekick has been diagnosed with cancer. It's been tough news to bear--we all know what a great boy this giant dog is. Even those that have only met Moose once, twice, or just passed him by on the hiking trail or the streets have marveled at the beautiful Gentle Giant's sweet soul and majestic presence. He's a lover of all other dogs and a calming partner in crime. He lives to explore, to sit on laps, and to leave no smell unturned. He leaves children amazed and small dogs very curious in his wake. It's been a difficult few weeks for Steph--his loving mom--and his close family of aunts and uncles that help care for and keep track of him. And it's quickly becoming expensive.

A few details--he has transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), which typically arises in the lining of the bladder. The primary tumor is in his prostate and is inoperable because of the proximity to important parts of his anatomy. We've decided not to pursue chemotherapy treatment for a few reasons. He turns nine in December, which is at the later part of a Great Dane's typical life span. Aggressive treatment may extend his life by six months to a year, but not significantly enough to put him through what can be a very harsh process. And, it would be incredibly expensive. Frankly, putting him through that doesn't feel right.

He's lived a good life, and with the right amount of TLC we hope to continue it as long as possible. The cancer hasn't appeared to spread that aggressively, yet, so our goal is give him as much comfort as possible and potentially slow its spread by using the options available. For those familiar with this process, we've chosen the palliative route. Specifically, he'll be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) to help with pain and joint function. He'll also receive high-potency herbal remedies and other holistic treatment that will help him feel more comfortable and maybe even help resist the cancer's growth.

That's where you can help. Asking friends and family for financial assistance was a difficult decision to make. Still, the costs are quickly escalating and we want the ability to offer him the best care possible without being limited by the expense. Your financial support will greatly help lift some of the burdens of this challenging process. The more support he's given, the more palliative options can be pursued. Every little bit helps.

We don't know exactly how much this will cost, but it may reach the totality of our stated fundraising goal. Any remaining funds will be donated to our local animal shelter, Woods Humane Society, in hopes that we can extend your financial generosity to help improve the lives of other animals in our community.

Thank you so, so much for your time, consideration, and most importantly all the love that our wonderful community has given to Moose throughout his life. He feels it.

P.S. Moose turns nine on December 26. You already know we're going to throw him the best birthday party this great Great Dane has even seen. Step aside Santa, Moose gets the milk and cookies this year. Stay tuned for details.