I think it was the moment I first laid eyes on her photo from animal control in Milwaukee that I knew I had to do something about her - estimated to be 10, with a big bandage around her waist and pulling at the leash attached to the wall. She came in with a maggot infested open wound looking like possibly a mass (cyst of some sort) had burst. The emergency vet cleaned it all out and bandaged her. Nobody claimed her thank god!! They told me her disposition was really sweet even with a cone on her head. That she gets up slowly and comes to the front of her kennel when somebody visits.

I had asked Wisconsin Humane Society to pick her up for me which they did Sunday, July 21st but they were grim saying she was in really bad shape and the sooner I got her out the better. When I picked her up the following day, I was greeted by a happy girl anxious to get the move out of there. She went straight to my vet and many more mammary tumors were found. We scheduled surgery for the following day but then the vet called the next day to tell me the bloodwork had a few things going on. A lot of it was possibly tied to the open wound that was bandaged. She was anemic but her kidney values seemed to show some kidney infection and she had a severe UTI.

The vet did not want to do surgery until the values dropped. They were not terribly high but not good for surgery. So Faith went home to the foster home for two days of love and attention with lots of kids. Everybody was smitten by her. Friday, August 2nd she went through a 3.5 hour surgery and pulled through with flying colors - not withstanding the 4 drainage tubes in her body. She kept her appetite and cold damp nose throughout. A mere two days post op she was maneuvering the stairs up and down to go out and potty and pretend she was going home. She has captured the hearts of all who have met her. Her undaunting spirit has been an inspiration to all. At this juncture, we do not know her diagnosis or prognosis. but the first critical step has been overcome with a seeming ease. Prayers and healing light are most welcomed.

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Deb's Faith Update - August 7

Thought I would give everyone an update on Faith. I took her in today to have her drains removed and to have her pain patch removed. She is such a good girl. She is pretty tired right now, just sleeping in the kitchen. This dog seems to have touched so many lives, espcially my husband's. My husband called today to see how Faith is and was concerned on how it went with her drain removals. Three of my daycare families have fallen in love with her to the point that they want to talk to spouses on adopting her. Yet I told Maria if Faith's report doesn't look promising she will stay with us and live out her life. The vet feels the mass he removed from Faith is definitely cancer -- it's just a matter of finding out what type (he was going to call to get info on the biopsy today and let Maria/me know).

Deb's Faith Update - September 4

Maria had asked that I let everybody know what is going on in Faith's world. As Maria put it "the honeymoon is over". Faith has been a little bit of a challenge. Her darn UTI came back with a vengence. I was getting up with her anywhere between 3-7 times a night (plus she was having accidents in between the times I was letting her out). She was being so vocal that my neighbors were complaining and then the icing on the cake was when she bit Sophie behind her ear (drew a little blood, but not much that I was worried -- Faith was being protective of her food); then my son dropped a wrapper and Faith went after his hand (didn't break the skin). John looked at me and I knew -- yes we needed to find somewhere else for her to go. I talked with Maria about it last week Monday night (I was heartbrooken, even though she has been such a monster, she reminds us so much of our old guy Ted all I did was cry that night). We had a vet appointment scheduled for Faith on Thursday (double check her scar tissue, UTI, etc.) It was all to sad -- the vet did some xrays of her lungs -- Faith has two spots of cancer on her lungs and they appear to be slightly larger than last time -- he noticed another small dark spot that he hadn't seen before and said "well we could investigate further, but we know she doesn't have alot of time." Candice and I cried all the way home and Nick just hugged Faith.

John and I spent the weekend camping -- dogs, kids and plenty of friends. We talked about Faith -- I didnt' bring it up, but John hugged Faith and looked at me. I knew then that Faith wasn't going anywhere. She is with us to stay! We plan on keeping her happy/comfortable until the very end. We have found that Faith doesn't want to be away from us -- she stays in our yard (only barks when we put her cable on -- and when she barks you know she wants to be off and she won't wander off). She mostly barks when I leave. So yes, we have been taking her everywhere we go. Even took her a few weekends ago to help save an iguana. She walks the kids down to the edge of the lot line where they catch the bus and aroo's when they get off the bus (just like Teddy). We have perimeter-trained her and she is content laying on her stoop (just like Teddy did). I have a funny feeling that Teddy sent her our direction, once again to teach us more of "lifes' lessons."

She is a pretty tuff old crow though -- she really puts Sophie in her place, she plays until she lays down and when Sophie comes to give her kisses she will teasingly go after Sophie. I just think her UTI was making her kind of grumpy and that being the oldest in the house hold she feels she should be "Queen."

So that is it in a nut shell. Faith is now a "Block."

Maria's Faith Update - September 30

Well, i FINALLY got to spend some time with faith this past weekend. Deb and I were on the same committee for one of the Humane Societies and we had our big Wag Walk Fest this weekend. For Deb it was a family outing as everybody was there including Faith and Sophie.

I couldn't believe the physical change in Faith. Of course no bandages, or cones or shaved bodies. This is one whippersnapper of a little (but solid) girl. Don't be deceived by her teddy bear looks. She has got her own little mind and she pulls like a banshee. For a little girl with cancer she never tired the entire day. She did escape occasionally for brief periods to a crate to catch a few winks but she was always immediately up on her toes, amongst all the confusion, pulling hither and yonder to catch up with the action and a few tidbits to eat. So again, we are expecting miracles with her prognosis. She has one really thick coat on her and she is a very biscuity girl. She is strong and seemingly healthy and never wants to miss a treat (obviously) and one of the cutest damn things you ever saw!

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Deb's Faith Update - October 27

Faith was also called "Princess" in our house because we wanted her to feel like Royalty in our house. Faith closed her eyes at 10:30 yesterday morning while Candice wrapped her body around her. I was left with just a small portion of her body to touch. I kept my hand under Candice feeling her heart beat as it silently went still. Candice talked in her ear the whole time telling her how much she was loved, that someday we would meet again and how beautiful she was. As the vet confirmed her passing -- Candice reached and closed her eyes and told her "to sleep sweet baby."

After talking with the vet and having him do x-rays to make sure that in deed it was time to say "good bye". the bad news was revealed in the x-rays. The cancer had spread throughout her lungs, bladder and had caused a great amount of infection and internal bleeding. I have never ever seen x-rays this bad before. As I got next to the x-rays to further see where the cancer had progressed, I was shocked to see how fast it had spread. Candice sobbed as she knew too this was not good news. Faith had lost roughly 11 pounds in roughly 2 1/2 weeks. Maria and I spoke over the phone about this sweetheart and that she must be released to cross the bridge. It was so hard letting go knowing what Faith had been through and it was hard for all of us to let go of her. This sweet little beauty walked the paths at the Samarama on October 12th like she was one of the youngest/healthiest pups there. It is amazing she went this fast. Once again, we have been taught life's lessons through the eyes of a dog (who was more than a dog -- she became a part of our family). I thank Maria for sharing her with us. I thank Faith for loving us endlessly and for letting us love her. I also want to say thank you to everyone for their prayers and help with answers to cancer questions.

She will be deeply missed. I woke up this morning at 5am and I swore I heard her bark. Maybe she wanted to let me know she is frolicking with Albert, Knika, Teddy and all of the other Sammy's who were saved and found "new love" and "new families" even if it was just for an all too short amount of time!

In my minds eye, I see Faith running and playing, cancer free, your cute little whoooo's and your all too big for your body feet and your typical Sammy heart (strong and endearing). How you were loved little one -- even just for a short little while!