Hi everyone, my name is Theresa and I live in Delaware. I would like to share the story of best friend Zeus. Zeus is a 140 lb. beautiful Rottweiler who is a gentle giant that loves everyone he meets. I rescued Zeus in 2011, at that time he was nine months old, untrained, not housebroken, and wild. The poor dog had been chained outside since the owner’s wife was terrified of him. Believe me the first month that I had him was a challenge, Zeus was afraid to go outside by himself. When we tried to put him out he would just throw himself against my sliding glass doors. Then when you went out with him he would out of nowhere jump on top of you. Once around Christmas time he jumped out of the back window of my car at the mall and just stood in the road causing traffic to back up even more than it already was. He was upset I had dropped my daughter off. Shortly after, I was driving past the bark park to get to the parking lot and I heard a noise like a gunshot. Lol Zeus had gotten upset that we passed by the bark park and pulled his head into the car catching his collar and totally imploding my window. Yes every day for that first month Zeus was shelter bound. But over the next few months Zeus began to trust us and morphed into the best dog I have ever owned. Unfortunately it was about the same time that I rescued Zeus that I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. After thinking I was cancer free for ten years this ugly beast had once again reared its ugly head. I had disease in my lymph nodes and as time progressed cancer would also be found in my right femur. In 2013, I needed to have a rod inserted in my leg to prevent a pathological fracture. My Zeus has been such a comfort and loyal companion to me during this terrible ordeal. Often times after my surgery he would walk slowly beside me assisting me around the house as he let me lean on his back. He also kept me physically active because when Zeus wants a walk I usually succumb to his demands (not that he is spoiled). I have spent many an afternoon at local parks walking with him and I believe that really helped me physically and emotionally. Fortunately my disease is very under control and besides a stiff right leg and slight limp I am doing very well. Zeus turned five years old on January 30th 2016 and I was excited that the weather forecast called for a mild day and thought we could spend the day at his favorite bark park, Carousel Park in Delaware. However, that morning Zeus was not putting any weight on his left front leg, I had noticed that recently he had been limping on and off, but he did fall once while fetching a ball and had hurt that leg. So I thought that maybe he strained a muscle. Now that he wasn’t putting weight on the leg, I brought him to the Vet the next day. That is when I heard the word OSTEOSARCOMA, it was as if someone had stabbed a knife into my heart, I mean, the irony was too cruel for me to wrap my head around. At first, I thought that I would not aggressively treat the cancer. The vet told me that Zeus would be gone in 2 months because he would not be able to tolerate the pain in his leg. But after speaking with a Veterinarian Oncologist, I decided to fight this dreaded disease with Zeus, just as he has helped me cope with mine. Zeus had his left front leg amputated on Thrsday Feb. 18th and will start chemo therapy on March 3rd. The past few days post-surgery have been tough but Zeus is taking it all in stride and is actually doing amazing. Everyone at the hospital fell in love with him!! That is just the kind of dog he is nothing but pure LOVE. My hope for this blog is that Zeus and I might be an inspiration to all who are battling this dreaded disease. God Bless you, Theresa and Zeus.
Hi Theresa and Zeus!
You come to the right place stay with us and we’ll all help eachother get through, ok? Im so sorry you and Zeus are battling cancer but from what I read between the lines you and Zeus are fighters and being a RN, I KNOW fighters live longer and with a good quality of life!
That being said, I came here in November because my best friend Rottweiler ZEUS, yes ZEUS was dxd to with cancer. Unfortunately he was misdiagnosed with Fibrosarcoma and I did not do chemo. By the time I stumbled upon his real dx, Im not kidding, it had metastisized into the lungs. Now I dont want to upset you because all dogs are different. You’ll see many wonderful stories here and I trust that God, for whatever reasons, brought my Zeus home to him. Youre doing all the right things Theresa and you’ll find this community are Angels in disguise. Please keep us posted and when you have a chance my posts are under the forum “Coping with Loss”…
Love, Love, Love and healing,
Deb, Belle and Angel Zeus!
Hi Deb. I am also an Rn. I am sorry about your Zeus. I will definately check out your post. And yes I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power! I do not know how long my baby will be with me but fight? Darn right we will
Welcome and thanks for sharing Zeus’ story!
Best wishes, please keep us posted…
What a long road you have traveled to get here. Zeus was so lucky that he picked you for his forever home. I’m so glad to hear Zeus is doing so well and I hope you are doing well too with your health. Please keep us posted on both your journeys. Hugs
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
Thanks Linda, I am glad to find a site where people truly understand what we are all going through. Thanks for your kindness
So glad that you decided to fight! You and Zeus are an inspiration. Have to think you were given to each other for a reason.
Yes Christine, I sometimes believe that in life there are no co-incidences.
Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Zeus is a beautiful boy. Our rotties hold a special place in our heart. This dreaded disease loves them a lot. That is what my baby Sassy had too.
Kick butt Zeus. Theresa you have fought a great battle yourself. Your boy loves you a lot and appreciates you giving him the opportunity to fight with you. thank you for opening your heart to him and giving him that chance for a loving home.
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Thanks for your kind words Michelle, I had a lot of second guessing myself over whether or not to proceed aggressively. But after battling this monster myself, I was not going to give up so easily on Zeus, who has truly been such a blessing in my life!!!
I am in absolute awe of you and of Zeus AND this incredible journey the two of you are on. I want to jump through the screen and hug you both AND to stand before you and give you a standing ovation!!!
I am soooo moved by your story. The fact that you two found each other, the parallels, the Soul deep bond, OMD!!! Unbelievable!!!
Talk about life’s purpose…Soul’s mission….you two clearly are jere for each other on so many levels!
You have been kicked in the gut…yet again. You have already proven you are made of tough stuff. Zeus has been kicked in the gut his whole life…until he RECONNECTED with you! I say “reconnected” because you both were born to be together!! It just took a little bit of time to find each other again!
Let me be real clear…real clear!! THERESA AND ZEUS ARE AN INSPIRATION TO US!!! You both already have jumped into our hearts. You two are already watching your Legacy of Hope and touch more and more lives than you can even dream of!
Thank you for allowing us to walk by your side on this journey of enlightenment AND victories!!!
Love and light!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS! I was so enthralled with your journey I forgot to let you know that the first two weeks of recovery can be really rough! Not much sleep, lots of stress and worry…you know the drill. You also jniw that recovery does, indeed, take place!
Please stay connected and let us know how we can help. We’re family now!!
Wow what a nice post. Thanks for your encouraging words. You know at first I was so angry that this has happened but I believe that life is a journey and there are countless lessons to be learned. My Zeus has been a lesson on what pure unconditional love is. I have had many dogs in my 55 years and yes I loved them all. But the bond I have with Zeus is like no other. He has truly been my angel and I will do everything I can to help him!! Tonight was the first night since his surgery that he greeted me at the top of the steps when I got home from work. Tears in my eyes I am going to bed thankful that my angel is still earthbound!! Again thanks for your kindness. It means the world to me😀
And another PS! ZEUS is a very handsome boy who just exudes gentleness!
Hello and welcome. I was going to suggest you check out the forums- but I saw you posted there. You guys are an inspirational team! I know my pug Maggie’s journey taught me how to deal with some tough times. I learned how to Be More Dog from her- treasure each day, don’t look to far ahead. Be optimistic until there is a real reason not to be. I’ll be keeping an eye on your journey.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Thanks Karen. By the way. I love pugs!! One thing I have learned from dealing with my illness is that cancer is a WORD not a sentence. I ignore statistics cause according to them I should not be here!! I am happy I found this site. I look forward to sharing and learning with all of you lovely people!
Greeted you at the steps already?? That deserves a great vig YAAAAAAAAAY 🙂 Seeing the return of “little normal routines”……HUGE VICTORIES!! 🙂
Good job Zeus!!!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too y
Thanks Sally. I know what a fighter. Tomorrow we go back to University of Penn for post op visit and his first chemo treatment. Wish us luck!!