As I was putting photos together of Luke for this post to promote Morris Animal Foundation’s Unite to Fight Pet Cancer campaign, I flashed back to a time my sister and I had taken Luke and our late golden retriever Sheba for a walk in 2014 in support of that same campaign. That year they had a virtual fundraising walk that we joined in on.
I didn’t realize until looking back for my posts on that subject, that it was exactly three years ago to this date when we went on that walk! We walked in memory of our other pets we lost to cancer. Ironically, Sheba would get her own cancer diagnosis about 8 months later. The photos from that day weren’t too great, but in the photo below you can see Sheba wearing her orange #UnitetoFight bandana. It was bittersweet to look back on that day and remember our lovely walk, and swim afterwards! Sheba was healthy and Luke hadn’t developed all his fears by then; it was a very happy and easier time.
I enjoyed meeting with Morris Animal Foundation‘s representatives at the BlogPaws conference last month. (I’ve been a supporter of their organization ever since our vet at the time made a donation to them after we lost our dog Shelby to lymphoma.) They were thoughtful to give me a purple bandana after I told them the story of Sheba surviving cancer for two years. Even though cancer ultimately took her from us, it makes me feel good that Luke can now wear that bandana in honor and memory of his sister.
MAF does much research not only into golden retrievers (they have a lifetime study) and dog cancer, but cats and horses as well. Now through June 30th any donations made to their campaign will be matched by the Blue Buffalo Foundation. You can find the link to donate by clicking here, if you are so inclined. We made a donation ourselves, and I am only sharing about this organization because I believe in what they do, this is in no way sponsored by them. You can learn more about the scientific research they are conducting and breakthroughs they have made by visiting their website.
Luke looks great in purple sister Sheba would be very proud. Love Dolly
Thank you so much for saying that….we think so too. ♥
What a great fight like!
I love their organization and all they do to help end canine cancer. Thank you for your efforts, too, on spreading the message and inspiring others to participate. This post just touches my heart.
Also, off topic a bit, but that pic of Luke?!?! Oh, my. He sure has grown into a handsome gentleman, hasn’t he?? I still think of him as a young ‘un! 🙂
I know, Luke will be four this fall, I can’t believe it! He is such a handsome guy, thank you, though I still call him my “little boy” at times.
I’m so happy to share about MAF, I know there are so many of us who’s lives have been affected by cancer, as you know way too well, in too many ways.
I talked to them too. Thank goodness for people researching this horrible disease. My sister’s 10-year-old Golden had a cancerous tumor removed from his mouth about 9 months ago, and she just found out it has come back. 🙁
Oh no, Jodi, I’m so sorry to hear about your sister’s golden. I hope there is something they can do for him….big hugs to your sister. 🙁
We have several Golden friends who are participating in the MAF lifetime study. Such important work. Thank you so much for highlighting MAF and the matching gifts from Blue Buffalo. Bravo!
I’m so happy to do it! Kudos to your friends for having goldens in the lifetime study! I’d love to do that someday.
The Morris Animal Foundation does so many great things! Hey Luke, you look terrific in that bandana!
Why, thank you, Brian!!
Woofs, Luke
Cancer is a terrible disease for any living being. Hopefully one day there will be a cure.
Amen to that!
Cancer stinks. Paws up to the Morris Animal Foundation for all they do to fight pet cancer.
How nice of Blue Buffalo to match donations.
MAF is a terrific organization and with Blue Buffalo matching donations is the icing on the cake. Bravo to all!
One of the hardest things we ever went through losing our Benny to liver cancer
Lily & Edward
I know how much you must miss that guy. 🙁
Shadow will wear her orange MAF bandanna today in memory and honor of her sister Callie. As you know, we are also big believers in MAF and all they do to fight animal/pet cancers.
Well, we will have to wait until tomorrow – it’s going to be raining off and on all day. UGH – but that’s okay.
Sorry you got rained out that day! If you do get the bandana on Shadow, try to send me a photo. 🙂
I will wear purple too, to help that once we will win this fight… with a treatment what really helps to beat the evil C without having such hard after and side effects…