Most of you who know us here at Brown Dog Treasures know that our business was named after our chocolate lab, Guinness. He was not only the heart and soul of our business, he was truly our greatest treasure.

Last October, right before Halloween our boy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma  (bone cancer). Guinness was 12 years old and other than some arthritis that is to be expected in labs his age, our Guinness had never been sick a day in his life.

He had begun favoring a front paw back in June of last year. We were hoping that it was just a sprain. The vet passed it off as arthritis and prescribed some anti-inflammatory medications and herbs. The limp went away and all seem well. Then in October it returned and this time there was a noticeable lump on is left front ankle.

Our vet made the diagnosis after x-rays.  His prognosis was grim. As you can imagine we searched everywhere for any possible ray of hope. But in the end we had to face the fact that he was rapidly getting worse. Nothing helped. Medications, herbs, radiation therapy, expensive oncologists, nothing.

Guinness was so brave. He fought so hard. He loved life.

Toward the end of his fight we found a wonderful, kind vet who made hospice calls to our home. Guinness passed peacefully in our arms in December, a few days after Christmas.

Many of our customers were aware of what was going on and were very understanding about delayed packages and failure to return emails quickly. Many of you were a great source of comfort and encouragement. I am sorry it has taken so long to thank you, but this was the hardest thing I have ever had to write.

For a while we thought of closing the business. It just seemed too hard to go on. Then we began to think about all the wonderful people we have met in the past 6 years and all the photos we receive of our costumers and their dogs enjoying our products and we decided that we needed to continue.

We did learn a lot about canine osteosarcoma and I will be putting up a page on this blog soon with a list of resources and publications that may help any one else who might have to face this disease.

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