Loki’s Story and the Angels in our Lives,
as written by Loki's mom

Seven years ago, I got Loki when he was 3 months old from a Humane Society in California.  I was told that he was a purebred long-haired Shepard, and that his breeder turned him in due to his defects: his floppy ears.  I gladly scooped this fur-ball up and he has been my best buddy in the whole world since, and I just LOVE his floppy ears.  Loki has always been by my side.  He goes with me wherever we go, and we often plan our vacations around places and activities he can participate in.  One of his favorite places in the whole world (besides “the car”) is camping.  Loki is so full of life and energy when in the great outdoors and is such the trooper on any length of hike, especially if there are squirrels to chase.  His nickname is “Face” – he’s got the most expressive, sweetest face I’ve ever seen!  He is my love and everyone who meets him, falls in love with him too!  Many people throughout the years have commented how his is “such a gentle giant” and “such an old soul”  - I have gotten so many “old soul” comments, and it rings to be true.

My husband and I had just moved to Nashville in February 2007 from California.  We were settling into our new home when I found a lump on his front right leg.  I thought it was maybe just a sprain of some sort so I took him to the vet one Saturday morning in March.  Long story short: 4 hours later, 1 chest x-ray later, we were given the diagnosis of Osteosarcoma – bone cancer.  I was absolutely devastated!  We were told that we had two options: put him down or amputate his leg along with 4 episodes of chemotherapy.  Fortunately, they did not find evidence of the cancer in his lungs, so that was a positive note.  But if we chose to do nothing, he would have maybe 4 months left to live, and his leg would fracture since this cancer eats the bone inside-out.  There really is no such thing as “pain management” for this type of cancer…we do everything or put him down soon.

Looking into Loki’s eyes, we knew it wasn’t time to say goodbye...call it mother’s intuition!  However, there was the reality of finances.  Our first vet had already charged us over $1,000 to just get the diagnosis.  They then quoted us over $2,500 for just the amputation alone, not including 4 rounds of chemotherapy.  Loki had gotten very sick about a year earlier from an autoimmune problem, and we were trying to recover from that financial episode as it was.  As a pet owner who views their pets as a child, you never want to make a decision based on finances, but the reality of it forces you to.

My husband and I knew we couldn’t just put him down – there was way too much life left in our baby.  So we decided to take it one step at a time, and see how far we could go.  We sought out a second opinion at Nolensville Vet Hospital, per recommendation from a friend, and are FOREVER grateful we did.  I was sitting on the floor with Loki, as he has grown to fear vet hospitals, and Dr. Fly came in, with his assistant, and we all sat on the floor around Loki.  He was with us for about 45 minutes, clearly explaining what Osteosarcoma was, statistics, options, and gave us some renewed hope.  His fees were significantly lower than the original vet, who gave us even more hope – we could really go through with this!  The compassion we received from Dr. Fly and his wonderful staff didn’t change the diagnosis, but filled us with a sense of relief:  we could really try and fight this disease!

A few days prior to his scheduled operation, I was home, still devastated, reading a local flyer, when I came across an article for Brown Dog Foundation – I literally almost fell out of my chair!  I read about Carol and her heart wrenching story about her own loss, facing the financial and emotional hardships of having a very ill pet.  I contacted her immediately, thinking it’s at least worth a shot, and if the foundation couldn’t help us out, I wanted to be a part of this organization regardless.  I had never seen anything like it!  Carol immediately responded and sent me the application.  We went ahead with the amputation, which was successful, and started scheduling his 4 rounds of chemo. 

Carol contacted me a little while later with fantastic news: Brown Dog Foundation could cover 75% of the cost of his remaining chemotherapy treatments.  My husband and I were absolutely shocked!  This kind of thing just doesn’t happen to us – it really doesn’t!  Brown Dog Foundation not only gave us this amazing donation, but has been amazingly supportive of our situation.  Carol is obviously a woman who has a deep sense of empathy, using her own life experiences to help others.  She met us near our home since I had forgotten to sign the application, and shared her own stories of how Brown Dog Foundation came to be.  She petted and talked to Loki, and his new brother Griffy, as if she'd always known them.  Carol’s empathy and ability to go above and beyond has helped to keep our hope alive for Loki. 

Loki completed his second round of chemo on May 18, 2007 and our Vet said that he is doing really well.  He is rebounding from his amputation, attending dog park regularly, and receiving chemo very well.  We couldn’t have asked for more.  And as I lay on the floor with Loki, as I find myself doing more and more, I often just weep, knowing that as a result of our love for Loki, Loki’s own will to live, Brown Dog Foundation’s efforts and support, and Nolensville Vet hospital’s willingness to work with this team of people, we are giving our baby a fighting chance.  It really does take a community!

Thank you Brown Dog, Nolensville Vet Hospital, and a special thanks to Loki, for giving me over 7 years of the most joy I could ever ask for!