Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive and common cancer in dogs. It can develop in any tissue or organ, but most commonly affects the spleen, right atrium of the heart, and the skin.

You will often hear Hemangiosarcoma referred to as the “silent killer” because the tumors are often not detected until the later stages of the disease, and even dogs harboring large tumors may show no clinical signs or evidence that they have a life threatening disease. Unfortunately, existing treatments have not improved the overall survival times for dogs with this disease.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and its donors have invested over $3.8 million in 27 grants in understanding mechanisms and causes, new targets for treatment, and early diagnostics for canine hemangiosarcoma. To focus more attention on this devasting disease, CHF launched the Hemangiosarcoma Research Initiative in 2018. To learn more about hemangiosarcoma and support CHF’s efforts to improve the health of dogs, visit www.akcchf.org/hemangiosarcoma. Cancer donations can help save lives!

OTIS
01/24/10 – 10/15/20

Otis returned unscathed after disappearing to chase a cat, a fox, and two very large coyotes, but when hemangiosarcoma reared its head, he wasn’t able to defy the odds… he survived a mere 3 months after having surgery to remove his ruptured spleen.

Otis was friendly, gentle, and kind. He would lie down and wait to meet unfamiliar dogs on walks; jump up to share kisses with strangers; sit patiently for a snack from the mailman; and do every trick in the book for the bacon in his grandma’s purse.

Otis exuded pure excitement over the simple things in life. He was happiest being off leash—a chase around the yard or on the golf course, sledding, swimming, exploring the woods, and sniffing out treats (aka“treat game”). I deeply miss his wiggle-butt greetings when I opened the backdoor; how he would turn around and smile at me on our walks; waking up next to him in bed; and, of course, his frequent kisses. Most of all, I miss his eyes and how they would follow me.

Otis went almost everywhere with me, and when I couldn’t bring him along, his little face would poke above the windowsill to watch me depart. Whenever I leave the house, I still look back at the window to see if he is watching me. I hope he is.

You will receive a print of Otis’s Tail Art, which was 100% painted by Otis’s wagging tail… while enthusiastically begging for treats!

All cancer donations go to the AKC Canine Health Foundation for Hemangiosarcoma Research.