By: Carol Zaruba

Carol Zaruba was riding home from the beach one day when she thought of an idea to raise awareness of what her English Bulldog Sarge went through.

Sarge, 2, recently underwent surgery to remove a mast cell tumor from his abdomen and had chemotherapy to treat his cancer.

Zaruba, who resides in Middletown decided to take dog and cat collars and leashes, and add a little cancer awareness flare. She buys the collars and leashes and adds colored ribbons for different types of cancer. She then sells them for $4 up to $12 and donates 20% of the net proceeds  to the American Cancer Society.

“When they do their research, they’re doing it for animals also, “Zaruba said. “If a person has cancer and there’s a particular kind of medicine for it, the medicine can be used to treat animals. Whatever therapy they use on humans benefits the animals also.”

Zaruba said Sarge’s cancer was found in March after she took him to a vet.  He was previously diagnosed by another veterinarian. “I saw a big lump and I didn’t know what was wrong with him,” she said.

“I’m selling these collars to raise money, but also to help increase awareness so veterinarians will take the time to diagnose the dogs correctly, and so that pets will receive the proper treatment and therapy.

Zaruba said a second veterinarian removed the tumor, which was under the skin but not in any other organs, the same day she took Sarge in. He then underwent several chemotherapy treatments and had to take a large dosage of prednisone. The vet bills cost around $5,000.

“The vet said it was better for the tumor to be under the skin than inside the organs,” she said. “This particular tumor spreads very quickly to other parts of the body.”

Zaruba said Sarge is doing well and she hopes the cancer doesn’t return. Sarge sees the vet routinely and Sarge is being checked daily by Zaruba.

“He’s a wonderful dog. He’s just very docile,” she said. “If you met him, you’d love him right away. He is very strong and really pretty.

Zaruba said cancer is prevalent in her family, but she never thought she would have to battle the disease in her dog. She wants to spread the word so other pet owners will know how common and deadly the disease can be.

“Usually, dogs that have this type of cancer do not live very long because it’s not caught soon enough,”  Zaruba said, “I want to raise as much money as I can and I’m just hoping people will be aware of this.” Many veterinarians and groomers have agreed to sell them for our cause.

If you would like to purchase any of these items or carry them in your store please call Carol Zaruba at 302-376-0703 or Valerie Whipple, at 302-464-2687, e-mail vjw44@yahoo.com.