About the Charity
“It Began With a (Wonder)Dog and a Dream”
The Dog Cancer Tribe has been a dream of mine since the day my dog Marty (the “Wonderdog”) was first diagnosed with cancer back in 2006.
At the time I knew very little about dog cancer — so little in fact, that I had once rushed poor Marty to the vet in a panic over a small black bump on his stomach, certain it was cancer… The vet’s diagnosis? “It was his Belly-Button.…” (And when she finally stopped laughing, she was kind enough not to charge me for the office visit).
But when Marty’s cancer came for real, the only hope he had was for me to learn everything I could about dog cancer, and fast. At first the vet told me there was nothing we could do – just make him comfortable and maybe eke out a few extra weeks with conventional radiation treatments – and I remember feeling so helpless, hopeless, and alone.
Then, as I explain in the book I wrote about Marty’s dog cancer experience, we got lucky! A friend introduced me to the owner of a natural pet shop who changed my life. She taught me about natural supplements and treatments that help dogs live longer – and thanks to what she (and some wonderful natural vets and healers) taught me, we helped Marty live 17 months longer than his original vets thought possible.
Sharing Our Success
These natural treatments and supplements worked so well for Marty that I wanted to scream it to the world (I wrote my book instead). And I dreamed of helping others get the same supplements and natural care Marty was receiving – whether they could afford it or not.
In short, I wanted to start a “Dog Cancer Tribe”
But it would be a while before we could get this Tribe ff the ground.
First, I was buried in the process of caring for Marty. (Fortunately, I was able to afford his monthly expense and care.) And at the time, I didn’t know how I could get these critical supplements out to other dogs who needed them too.
So I focused my efforts on Marty, and did my best to help him, and the 1,000s of people who found my website, read my book, and asked me to help them with their own dog cancer battles.
Reaching Out to Save More Dogs
Over the years, as I continued to wage my own personal dog cancer crusade, I learned more about dog cancer and got better at getting this information out to people who needed it to care for their dogs.
And as I learned more about the struggles people went through – fighting to scrape together funds for dog cancer care – I started work on a variety of charity projects to help dogs get care their owners couldn’t otherwise afford.
In 2008 I launched “The Dog Cancer Ride Across America,” and rode my bicycle across the country (from Astoria, Oregon, to Virginia Beach, Virginia – 4,281 miles), discovering first hand the power this dog cancer community to help dogs in need. Together with a good friend who runs a national charity organization called “Giving Globally,” an Arizona based 501(c)(3) – we raised awareness and almost $35,000 to fund charities that help dogs whose owners couldn’t afford to pay for their cancer care.
And then, in 2010, to make it easy for dog owners to order cancer fighting supplements like the ones we used for Marty, I partnered with Marty’s original vet, Dr. Bob Ulbrich, VMD, to launch “Canine Cancer Supplements,” and make available packages of the four “Dog Cancer Essential” supplements he recommends to virtually all of his dog cancer patients.
The Pieces Come Together
Finally, all the pieces were in place to create a charity like the Dog Cancer Crusade…
A wonderful parent charity partner – Giving Globally 501(c)(3) – so people could make tax deductible donations and feel confident that these donations were safe, secure, and properly managed under a respected national charity organization;
And finally, an amazing team of supporters and dog lovers, who understand the work we’re doing, and want to help dogs get the care they deserve.
I’m so grateful for the efforts that have allowed this wonderful community to come together to support the launch of this Dog Cancer Tribe. People who have been through this terrible disease, and understand how hard it can be – especially for those who don’t have the funds to care for their beloved friends…
And thrilled that my original dream to share the things we’ve leaned with the dog cancer community is coming together to support dogs who can’t get these treatments without our help…
The Cavalry Has Arrived…
To me, this Dog Cancer Tribe feels like the Cavalry in those old Hollywood movies… You know, the ones where the soldiers are surrounded and under attack, but just when it seems all hope is lost, a pack of soldiers and horses come riding over the hill to bring much needed reinforcements, ammunition, and supplies.
The Cavalry has arrived to save the day, and the soldiers cheer and fight on even harder, knowing that now the battle will now be won…
We hope you’ll join and support our Dog Cancer Tribe, to help dog owners turn the despair they feel about not knowing what they can do to help their dog – into joy – as the reserves and information they need arrive like the Cavalry over the hill, in time to help them save their beloved friends.
For all they’ve given us,
let’s give them a chance to live…
If you’d like more information about the Dog Cancer Crusade and how it works, please feel free to contact us.
Here are some reasons why donations to the Dog Cancer Tribe matter:
“Having to put my dog down recently due to lymphoma, was like pulling the plug on your child. I kept reading lymphoma was curable, but you had to be able to afford all the medications and treatments, and I just didn’t have that kind of money to help her. I had no choice but to put her down. I had A LOT of guilt for doing that, and thinking, “If only I had the money.” I felt like I let her down. I should have done more… To someone in my position, money would have been everything at that time. It would have been a blessing to have a charity like this.”
Billie S., Rockwood, Pennsylvania
(in memory of Casey)
“A lot of individuals with pets with cancer are older, like myself, and are on a limited income.”;
Linda B.
“When our darling Sadie got cancer, we were fortunate that we could afford to use resources available to help her. But there are many people out there who can’t afford to do much of anything. They have no hope. No hope that they can eliminate this disease from their pet’s life. No hope that they can ease the pain and suffering for their beloved pet. And that’s why it’s important… to give Hope, and maybe, just maybe beat this awful disease down.”
Susan S.,
Oak Park, IL
(in memory of Sadie)
“There are so many dogs getting cancer and at such a young age. These poor animals don’t have a fighting chance without our help. Every dog deserves to live and at least have a chance – if it’s for 100 days or more or even 1 day. By giving supplements we can boost their immune system with the possibility of fighting this disease and possibly overcoming it, or at the very least live their final days a little more comfortable. We can’t throw in the towel on our beloved pets. They would never do that to us. We need to learn to be as devoted to them as they are to us. They all deserve a fighting chance.”
Vanessa P. (Spunky & Crystal), Greenwood Lake, N.Y.
(in memory of Max & Toby)
“Even if you have pet insurance, it will only pay for conventional cancer treatments, which don’t work particularly well for most dogs. If you can get non-traditional treatments that will give your dog an extra few months of quality life, it gives you an opportunity to say goodbye… to cherish those last times without the pain of watching the suffering caused by conventional treatments.”
Essie and Cletus Essie E.,
Humble, TX
(in memory of Cletus)
“All dogs should have a second chance by having cancer treatments if needed. They are our very special friends and companions… They depend on us for everything and they believe we are going to take care of them. They put their trust in us, and we should make sure we don’t disappoint them or ourselves by not doing everything possible to save them and give them another chance.”
Polly S., Vancouver, Washington
(in memory of Pumpkin and Tasha)
“My husband and I never had human kids, just our dogs. When our boy was diagnosed with lymphoma we had no warning – no time to plan or prepare. We were flat broke, the economy had our business on the rocks, and we were barely keeping our heads above water….
Vickey M.
The vet… basically told us our only option was to put him down. Like he meant nothing. No compassion, no regret, just get rid of him.
We headed straight to the computer, there had to be something we could do for him…. As it turned out, every option we found basically included some kind of treatment or medication we could not afford at that time. For our boy, it was indeed too late. Within two weeks we did have to put him down, he could no longer eat, walk, stand or do much of anything but lay there. We had no choice. Had a charity like this been available, we may have been able to help our boy to survive…
“When a person has a dog, it’s sometimes the only companion they have… Dogs give us everything they got for the short time they’re with us, so why not help that time be a little bit more if we can? And when they come to pass – they were not “just a dog” – they were our confidants and best friends who we told all our worldly secrets and hopes to. And they keep them until the baton is passed to our next dog – who keeps the marathon going.”
Julia K
“My husband and I have two beagles that are just like children to us. There is nothing we wouldn’t do for them…. Now with my husband’s failing health, and I unemployed for 3 years, we just can’t give them what they need. Both… have tumors that should be looked at by a vet and possibly removed, but due to having no money for their care, we just have to let them possibly suffer in pain. We cannot afford the vet bills. We try to provide them with vitamins and herbs when we can afford them…. I have called several vets in our area for help, [but] not one would offer any assistance…. Sometimes, my husband and I go without what we need to provide things for our dogs… I wish there was a charity that could help us.”
Shelley K.
