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Rottweiler Health Foundation Mission Statementimage: Trotting Rottweiler

To raise money to fund critical research into the genetic, communicable and acquired diseases that plague our beloved breed, the Rottweiler.

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Winter 2008
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SHARED REAL STORIES
Photo: Ajax running with ball in mouth

Our Rottweiler 'Ajax'
Surviving Osteosarcoma

Submitted by Nan Faile on 06/17/07

Update on 09/30/07

 
In January 2005, Ajax was just a few months into his sixth year when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the right forelimb. We treated him with amputation and chemotherapy...doxyrubicin. Ajax was able to complete 4 out of 5 scheduled chemo treatments before having to cancel the last treatment due to changes in his heart function. So, with that, his treatment for osteosarcoma ended and he came home ready to begin getting back to life.

Approximately a year later, Ajax suddenly began losing weight and I immediately thought his cancer had returned. Fortunately, however, we made some serious changes to his diet and he regained the weight he lost almost immediately. His weight has been mostly stable since then, except we have to watch him now for weight gain instead of weight loss!

Now June 2007, almost 2-1/2 years later, Ajax is still doing well. We added a Rottweiler puppy named "Bob" to the household in January 2006 and Bob and Ajax became fast friends.

After initialing limiting Ajax's activities, we decided to let Ajax make choices about the activities he wanted to do. Though he can only walk short distances, he still loves his ball, swims beautifully, plays with Bob, cruises on the boat, and takes rides in the family utility vehicle. Ajax doesn't consider himself limited at all and will get quite upset with you if you try to leave him out of anything!
 

Photo: Ajax cruising on the family boat

Ajax cruising on the family boat
 
Photo: Ajax going for a swim

Ajax going for a swim


We feel very lucky that our boy has beaten his cancer for as long as he has. In honor of our Ajax who is now a cancer survivor, we remember all those who have lost their beloved companions to this very difficult cancer.

UPDATE 09/30/07:  Liz, I am very saddened to report that Ajax left for the bridge yesterday. It was two weeks ago to the day when he developed a new tumor in his remaining from leg. He had survived well for two years, nine months and we found the news completely devastating. We were so unprepared for this. The thought of having to let him go felt unbearable.  Thank you so much for telling his story on the RHF website. Several people who would have never considered amputation in the past have recently told me that they have changed their mind after seeing how well Ajax lived.

UPDATE 11/04/07: I received notification earlier in the week that a Memorial Registry donation was made to RHF in Ajax's name by Hedy Rankin.  It's been difficult to respond to this letter although I am so touched by my friend's act to remember Ajax.  It was only in June of this year when I sent to you Ajax's cancer survivor's story. Around three months later, Ajax developed a second tumor in his remaining front leg and it would be only two weeks before we had to let him go. He lived 2 years and 9 months after treatment when it was estimated that he would only survive approximately 12 months.

As you can see by the picture below and as with so many Rottweilers, Ajax remained proud and strong throughout his battle with cancer.  He will always be my sweet, enduring friend who trailed constantly by my side since the time he was only a small puppy.

Photo: Ajax

I know you may not have time but there is a special remembrance video of his life. I hope you get a chance to see it.  For a dog surviving osteosarcoma, he looks very happy in many of his pictures. Thank you for all that you do.

Nan Faile - Leesville, South Carolina

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