Honey Bun

Honey was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in June 2018. She had periodically limped after long walks (3-5 miles) for several months but we thought it was just arthritis until in May she suddenly would not put any weight on her back leg. After a series of X-rays at my vet ($450) didn't show anything I took her to a specialty animal hospital in Spokane (where I'd taken a previous dog with liver cancer) for CT scans ($1,500). It was then that they discovered the tumor on the top of her tibia on her back right leg. After aspiration they discovered cancer cells. They went back & reviewed the scans and said they could see some enlarged nodes in her lungs so the belief was that the cancer had already metastasized to her lungs so they thought the trauma of amputation was not warranted. In fact, they suggested immediate euthanasia due to the pain of this type of cancer. I could not make such a decision so quickly so I drove her and my other dog Finnegan back to Montana to research what I could do for her.

To back track I need to let you know why Honey is so special. She was basically a feral dog that came with an old farm house I'd moved into in Plains, MT in 2007. She had been left there by her previous owner who apparently couldn't catch her when she moved and just left her. She was around 1 -11/2 I guessed. You could not get within 15' of her. The landlords used to bring out some dry food to her once a week or so but she was also the best mouser!  They wanted to just shoot her but no one could get close enough. She had dug a den behind the steps leading to the back porch where you couldn't get to her. I had 3 dogs when I moved in and thought "no problem, I'm good with dogs, give me a couple weeks"! Ha! It took me FOUR YEARS to be able to walk up and pet Honey! She learned to come through the doggie door to eat & sleep, would follow us on our walks, I fenced the yard in so she wouldn't chase the cars that came down to the dead end I was on. She was just like another of my dogs except I couldn't walk up & pet her. She wasn't food oriented so it was really challenging but I knew, with patience, I could gain her trust. I would sometimes sneak quietly to the door to shut the doggie door, she would then go to a dog bed and I'd sit and pet her. She wanted it but was also afraid.  She did go after one of my other dogs a couple times & when I'd call the humane society, other sources it was always suggested I euthanize her. But I just could not do that to a healthy dog so I just increased the time spent in trying to work with Honey. But this caused me to develop a very strong attachment to Honey and her to me.

I researched osteosarcoma and learned about artemesia and how it helps to slow the growth of this type of tumor. I took Honey to an alternative vet and also got other supportive remedies, like Turkey Tail & Reshi mushrooms, Stasis Breakers and other herbs. I've also been buying her good quality dehydrated foods and have actually been able to keep her weight up (weight loss is the silent killer with cancer). My vet has been very willing to help me treat her pain adequately with opioids and anti-inflammatories. My vet also didn't expect her to live more than a couple months and yet 6 months later she's still going strong, still wants to be a dog, go on her 2 outings a day. Each visit the vet is just amazed at how well she is doing!

But financially this is becoming very difficult. I'm on SSDI from 4 back surgeries & so am on a very limited income. I used up a good chunk of my savings on the initial X-rays and CT scans; vet check ups every 3 weeks so we can renew her opioids for pain; and then all the other supplements I've been giving her. I'd like to add even more to help support her but the $200/month I've been spending on her care is now becoming more & more difficult to afford. 

I worked all my life and ran a domestic & sexual violence non profit my final 15 years working before the back surgeries and pain took their toll & I know longer could continue working 50-60 hour weeks. So asking for help is not easy for me but this is really for Honey! So I will do whatever I can to keep her going as long as her quality of life is still good. When we go on our daily walks I take along a wagon for her. When I can tell she's getting tired 3 legging it, I pick her up & put her in the cart so we can also get the exercise my young dog needs. Tho picking up her 50#'s is a challenge with my back, I live alone and you do what you have to do!

So if you can help my Honey I and she, would be so grateful. With metta