“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.” – Will Rogers
“My reason for doing this is simple. I want to give hope – hope for the families of dogs who hear the words that no one ever wants to hear about their canine companion – that their dog has cancer.”
Anne Marie Messano Petrie and her husband Geoff Petrie are grieving the loss of their beloved golden retriever Winston, who passed away in August from hemangiosarcoma (HSA). HSA is a particularly aggressive canine cancer, known as the silent killer. Although some treatments are available to extend a dog’s life, it is rarely curable. In the midst of their loss, they have established a fund in support of UC Davis’ canine cancer research.
“Winston was the ‘Big Easy,’ loving and kind to all creatures he met along his life’s highway,” Anne Marie said. “I think most dog lovers would agree. They are the closest things we have to unconditional love. Winston was all of that in one package.”
Winston came to Anne Marie and Geoff as a puppy when Anne Marie was recovering from a health issue that had drastically changed the trajectory of her life. (One being the loss of a career she dearly loved.)
When Winston arrived, he popped onto Anne Marie’s lap. He bounded onto what would eventually become his favorite couch. He looked at her for a long time and immediately snuggled up to her chest. “He could give you this look that was right into your soul,” Ann Marie recalled. “Just when I least expected it, this magical dog came into my life.”
So, at the young age of just a few months, Winston supported Anne Marie through her recovery, which involved 12 surgeries and radiation. He was “all puppy.” He would check in with her wherever she was resting. He would take long naps with her. He gave her solace and comfort. He also gave her the strength she needed to continue her journey of healing. “The Big Easy’s registered name is ‘Simply a Hero.’ That name says it all.”
Anne Marie, supported by Winston’s presence, moved back into working with nonprofit organizations. There was a newfound joy in working and traveling again. She was able to successfully navigate her health issues with Winston by her side as her wing mate. He had many happy years with Anne Marie and Geoff, including enjoying the companionship of some of their other golden retrievers.
“Last spring, Winston keeled over and couldn’t get up,” said Anne Marie. She and Geoff wrapped him in a tablecloth and rushed him to the emergency room at their local veterinary hospital. The hospital veterinarians ran a number of tests and diagnosed Winston with fluid around his heart, which could be drained. They also noted the presence of a mass around his heart, which indicated cancer. (This was a diagnosis that Anne Marie and Geoff feared the most – they have lost five of their seven golden retrievers to this disease.)
Winston spent the next four days in the ICU. He then began chemotherapy. He also needed radiation, which was not done at the local hospital. As Anne Marie and Geoff processed the news, they worked with the oncologist to begin Winston’s first chemotherapy and started to make arrangements for the radiation. The first round of chemotherapy made Winston very sick. There was no nearby facility available for radiation at the time. Anne Marie spent a sleepless night praying for answers to what could be done to support him.
“Then it came to me that next morning. UC Davis has some of the best clinicians and researchers in the world when it comes to veterinary and human oncology. They may be able to advise us on how to help Winston,” she said. Within a few days, Winston had his first appointment with Dr. Michael S. Kent and his team at the Center for Companion Animal Health.
The first imaging done on Winston at UC Davis last spring showed no mass, and there was no more fluid. Dr. Kent recommended closely monitoring him for tumors. Having lost other dogs to HSA, Anne Marie and Geoff wanted to be sure that Winston continued to be seen. Throughout the summer, Winston had ultrasounds and CT scans: first weekly, then bi-weekly, and then every month.
“He ran around like his happy self,” Anne Marie recalled. “We were so hopeful. But we were also vigilant. We are grateful to Dr. Kent and his team for their continued care for Winston.”
In mid-August, Winston collapsed again. Anne Marie and Geoff rushed him to the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital emergency service, where the team stabilized him. The clinicians did another round of scans. Dr. Kent and his team reviewed the scans with Anne Marie and Geoff. Sadly, within the four-week time since Winston’s last imaging, the aggressive cancer had returned.
“Dr. Kent was so helpful during this time. He gave us the heartbreaking news that there wasn’t anything that could be done given how aggressive HSA is. The masses were located on his spleen and throughout his liver. He provided the roadmap for us so we could support Winston, until we knew it was time to say goodbye.”
Winston’s passing in late August is still very difficult for Anne Marie and Geoff. Winston was Anne Marie’s “heart dog.” In her grief, she found a way to create a path forward for Winston’s memory. She established Winston’s Golden Promise, a fund with the School of Veterinary Medicine that supports the research and treatment of HSA and other canine cancers. She hopes that others who know this disease, or who support canine cancer research, will consider contributing to the fund.
Dr. Michael S. Kent (DVM, DACVIM, DACVR, professor, director of the Center for Companion Animal Health, co-director of the Comparative Cancer Center) shared his thoughts about the fund, and the potential that it holds. “Winston was such a special boy, you could tell he was an old soul and very regal. I know how much he is missed. Anne Marie and Geoff have made a promise to Winston’s memory with Winston’s Golden Promise and we in turn are also making a promise: to keep working on coming up with better treatments and eventually a cure for this disease, it takes too many of our loved ones.”
Anne Marie continues to miss Winston “every hour of the day,” but she has an unwavering resolve to assure that Winston’s passing can pave the way forward to find new treatments. Her hope is for a cure for many cancers which affect our furry friends, including HSA.
My goal, and Winston’s, is that this research gives our beloved pets more time,” Anne Marie said. “If you love animals, and if you want to support the number one veterinary school in the country do its best to cure this and other canine cancers – contribute to this fund. The time is now.”
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To learn more and contribute to Winston’s Golden Promise Fund, please navigate to: https://give.ucdavis.edu/VCAH/77033