I don’t know if it is cabin fever or just what, but Barnie has been extra feisty and playful lately. He LOVES it when a human or dog chases him, so he is always darting out at the most surprising moment in  hopes of inciting a chase. He sits in-wait behind his Attack Cat Shield, pawing any unsuspecting  passerby he can grab. Sometimes though, Barnie is just left to his own thoughts.

Barnie ponders his day.

The dogs, as usual, were in the house. After I took these photos, Barnie hopped down and resumed his dog-bugging duties.

I enjoy and talk about art often, so I created a page to spotlight some artists. I especially love art that “pays it forward” somehow to help animals. This page is still work-in-progress, but you can check it out here.

Barnie was, for once, minding his own business. He wasn’t pestering the dogs or dashing underfoot. He looked so cute watching the world go by that I grabbed the camera. He was enjoying his time in the limelight. After all, the dogs already had their modeling session.

Had the spotlight all to himself. Until his buddies showed up.

The dogs just HAD to see what was up. And thus Barnie’s modeling session was cut short.

I am pretty excited about the nice “clean” look of our newsletters at about.com. Love the white space! It is a little intimidating though. I am still getting used to the new format.

This came through on a vetmed list I am on.  I am not familiar with the project – just passing on the info.

Cross-posting is encouraged.

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The Van Andel Research Institute, a world class human cancer research institute, recently received a Federally fund grant through the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, to study five types of cancer that occur in both dogs and humans.  The ultimate goal is to develop improved diagnostics and more individualized therapies for both canines and people.

We are requesting the help of purebred dog owners, who may own a dog affected with one of these cancers. The five initial cancers we are studying are:

1)      Hemangiosarcoma
2)      Lymphoma
3)      Osteosarcoma
4)      Malignant histiocytosis
5)      Melanoma of the mouth or toe

We are requesting fresh (NOT in formalin, NOT frozen) tissue samples from tumors, when pets have biopsies, surgeries such as  splenectomies, or are euthanized.  Samples may be collected post mortem, as the euthanasia solution does not affect the DNA in either the dog’s blood or in the tumor cells.

Additionally, if you have a dog with one of these cancers who has already been treated (splenectomy, chemo, etc), we would still appreciate a blood sample along with a histopath report confirming the diagnosis.  We need 3-5 mls of whole blood in an EDTA (purple top) tube. It can be sent priority mail, and blood can be shipped at room temperature.

If the pet is scheduled for surgery or, sadly, euthanasia, if you or your veterinarian contact us ahead of time, we can FedEx a collection kit which includes an overnight FedEx return shipping form, along with collection media and containers.

Owner consent forms and veterinary info pages can be found on our website, at:
http://www.vai.org/helpingdogs

I will be happy to answer any questions I can, as well.  Owners, veterinarians and researchers working together will help us to unravel some of the mysteries of these nasty diseases.

Roe Froman, DVM
Senior Veterinary Research Scientist
Van Andel Research Institute
333 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI  49503
616.234.5556
roe.froman@vai.org
www.vai.org