Kids lend support to ailing cancer dog

By Patty Mintz “I always thought it would take a lot to keep an irrepressible dog like Dudley down,” says Joyce Norris of Windsor. She reports her pet is in remission since his third chemo treatment in January and showing no signs in his body of the potentially deadly lymphatic cancer with which he was diagnosed several months ago. “He is now two months past what he was expected to live to without treatment and for that I am extremely grateful.” Throughout the ordeal, her beloved six-year-old

Pomeranian Pekinese has held up well, despite minor bouts of fatigue and nausea, she says. “He goes to the vet with a smile, has salmon fed to him while having his blood taken then while having his chemo injected,” which takes less than a minute, says Norris.

After blood is drawn, Dudley and Norris go out to play while they wait for the results. When everything is done, “he gets another walk in the small park behind the vet’s. He just loves life and people so much; he is not the kind of dog who hangs out in the house.”

Norris says it will likely be June before chemo wraps up. “He just got treatment 10 of 16 and had two delays because of his white count being down (but) he had no symptoms either time – no nausea, vomiting or diarrhea – just a bit of fatigue now and then,” and a modest amount of hair loss. “He lost some crimpy tail hair and a bit of his ‘fluff butt’, but nothing anyone but I would notice.”

So far, it’s a happy outcome for Norris and her constant canine companion. His loyalty and cheery antics make life more bearable for Norris, who suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – a connective tissue disorder -- chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

After an article about Dudley’s plight ran in The Regional, not only did Global TV run a segment, the story inspired offers of sympathy and financial help. Some people simply approached Norris on the street and handed her money. “So far about $2,500 has been raised, which is great! I am so grateful to those who donated to help him. I just appreciate it so much,” says Norris, her eyes filled with tears. “His vet bill will likely be pushing $6,000, provided he doesn’t have any unexpected problems.”

Norris says every bit helps, even $2 – “that’s the charge for disposing of the syringes and needles each visit. Big or small, I appreciate it all. When you see something with a huge price tag, it is overwhelming, but you get there a dollar at a time.”

Norris, who can’t work because of her multiple medical problems, is anxious about the rising medical costs. She is also heartened by the generosity of strangers and friends, including

one caring person who spearheaded a collection drive at the Wolfville and Kentville Curves which brought in $215 and who put collection cans in at other area businesses. The largest donation was $300.

Others were thoughtful to bring her the supplies for a month’s worth of food for Dudley that Norris has to make from scratch.

One highlight of the experience was a visit to Port Williams Elementary School, where students in Grade 4-5 classes taught by Greg Muttart organized an effort which raised close to $140 for Dudley’s medical costs.

Muttart says concern was arounsed after one student brought in The Regional article on Dudley’s dilemma. “The class immediately took to it,” says Muttart. “They wanted to see what they could do to help. It was student driven,” with the whole school contributing.

One day Norris and Dudley visited the school. The kids got to meet the little dog and the little dog got to do what he does best – schmooze, says Norris.

Muttart says the visit – and Dudley’s happy demeanor - helped allay any fears the students had that he might be in physical distress.

Norris says she hopes to take Dudley to meet other donors in person. “I feel he has a future, hopefully, largely because of them.”

Recently, also Dudley made a similar splash at a local Relay for Life event. “I put a little sign on his bandana saying, ‘hug me, I’m a cancer survivor. Lots of people followed the instructions on the sign and Dudley was deliriously happy and had a great time.”

Until Dudley is fully recovered, he isn’t able to carry out his volunteer efforts as a therapy dog at Haliburton Place in Windsor. “I want to take him back when he gets the okay to go back, because the residents really miss him,” says Norris.

For more info on Dudley’s progress and how to donate to his medical costs, visit http://www.dudleysdogblog.blogspot.com/ or phone Norris at 902-798-2345.