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Northwoods Humane Society – Deanna Persson, President
The Northwoods Humane Society Shelter sees many animals come to us
in a variety of health and physical conditions. Some are well-groomed
and bright eyed and once spayed or neutered, health and temperament
checked, vaccinated, they are ready for their ‘forever’ home. Some may
have some health issue that needs to be addressed, they may have a
behavior issue that needs work, but whatever the need is, the NHS staff
and volunteers work with the animal to ready the animal for its ‘forever’
home.

The NHS shelter recently received a group of animals that came from a
very, very poor situation – one where they experienced extreme
neglect. The staff is working with these precious animals to address
their health needs and to assure them that they will be loved and cared
for. One of the animals is a cat. This cat is a big old guy – very thin and
very sweet. Lisa Lew our assistant shelter manager and cat expert took
him to the vet for his health check up. She had a sense that he had
some challenges. The vet told her that he has a cancerous tumor in his
mouth. Most likely, he will not have many more years in his life – but
our feeling is that we think positive and ensure the time he is has is full
of gentle pets and warm laps to sit on.

Personally, I had not thought of cancer as being a disease that animals
had to face until the topic began to come up frequently over the past
ten years. I know I am a little ‘cancer sensitive’ and the word seems to
scream out at me when I see or hear it. While I was having chemo, my
friend’s dog was having chemo. The dog did not get sick and endured
the chemo well, but unfortunately did not win the battle.

This past week USA Today had an article on a fund raiser “K9 Cancer
Walk" which was organized by the non-profit Morris Animal Foundation
in Estes Park, Colorado. Four hundred walkers gathered along with
their dogs. The article listed other walks that were designed to raise
money to fight cancer thru research. These events were taking place in
Pennsylvania, California, Oregon and Florida.

In the book “New Choices For Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs” they
listed the signs of possible cancer as a lump or sore that won’t go away,
your pet is eating but losing weight, your pet is finding it hard to chew
or swallow, there is a discharge or bleeding from any body opening,
your pet has a bad smell, or your pet tires easily and doesn’t want to
exercise.

Pets are susceptible to the same types of cancer that people get.
Cancer can strike at any age, but it is usually a disease of middle-aged
and older dogs and cats. It is all too common: Cancer causes almost
half the deaths of pets older than 10 years. The chapter on cancer in
“New Choices For Natural Healing” addresses some possible causes
and solutions. It all sounded similar to material I had read after being
diagnosed.

The subject of cancer is huge and needs to be discussed with your
veterinarian. But we do need to be aware of health changes in our pets
and ready to educate ourselves about the disease and possible
treatments if our vetrenarian diagnoses our pet with cancer.

The USA article listed the following breeds that are predisposed to
cancer according to the Morris Animal Foundation, although any animal
can develop cancer: Bernese Mountain Dog: Histiocytic sarcoma,
Boxer: lymphoma and brain cancer, Cocker spaniel: Lymphoma, Golden
retriever: Lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma, English springer spaniel:
Mammary glad cancer; Pug: Mast cell cancer (skin), Shar-Pei: Mast cell
cancer, Greyhound: Osteosarcoma (bone)
Rottweiler: Osteosarcoma, Collie: Nasal cancer, Scottish Terrier:
Bladder cancer and skin/mouth melanoma, Chow chow : Stomach
cancer, Flat-coated retriever: Bladder cancer and skin/mouth
melanoma.

If you have a spot on your lap for an old cat that probably won’t be
around fro a long time, please call Lisa at the Northwoods Humane
Society Shelter – 715-634-5394.

Dates to Save:
September 4 –11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Book signing – “Big Al & the Red Canvas
Feet” by Don Welch with illustrations by Holly Jones at Art Beat of
Hayward. Total sale of book goes to the Northwoods Humane Society –
October 4 – Help Save A Pet Super Raffle Drawing – 6:30 p.m. Sawyer
County Courthouse.

Press Release

Northwoods Humane Society hosts book signing

The Northwoods Humane Society will be hosting a book signing of “Big
Al and the Red Canvas Feet” on Saturday, September 4 from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m. at Art Beat of Hayward. This is author R. D. Welch’s second book.
The first was “Button, A Forever Friend”. The story of ‘Button’ was a
love story about a young kitten and man who did know much about what
kind of love and companionship a little kitten could bring into ones life.
R. D. Welch is also known in the Northwoods as Don Welch, Vice
President of a radio group with direct responsibility of daily operation of
twelve stations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including WHSM in
Hayward. When Button, A Forever Friend was published, Don gave 200
copies to the Northwoods Humane Society with the total sale going to
the shelter. He also shared books with his home town humane society.
Big Al is a Chihuahua, a palm-sized puppy orphaned at a shelter. “This
pooch had serious, pound-for-pound personality. From Big Al’s
perspective, this guy had huge red canvas feed, a huge yard with big
trees, and soon thereafter, huge new motor home complete with a co-
pilot’s chair. Road Trip! Big Al & the Reed Canvas Feet headed to the
American Southwest for a little adventure. A little too much….” This is
a story to enjoy, feel good about and share with other.
Big Al and the Red Canvas Feet (A Dog-Gone Adventure) has
illustrations by area artist Holly Jones. Holly, along with her original
artwork will join Don at the book signing. Pets are welcome and dog
biscuits will be provided. Guests will be able to view the Red Canvas
Feet in real live.
Big Al and the Red Canvas Feet is being sold at the Northwoods
Humane Society Thrift Shop, The NHS Shelter and Art Beat of Hayward
located on Second Street in Hayward. Information about the book may
be found at www.redcanvasfeet.com and on www.
thealternativebookshop.com. For more information about the book
signing or purchasing the book, call Deanna Persson at 715-634-4543.