Generosity of Spirit

This blog comes from our friend Nancy, who, along with Denise, met Luke and The Boys as they traveled through their area. Nancy didn't title her blog, but I think you'll agree the name I have given it is very fitting. Here's Nancy's story ...

My name is Nancy and I am an animal lover from childhood. I am fighting a very aggressive form of thyroid cancer and somewhere between my surgeries and radiation my worries for the dire conditions of our local animal shelter, Animal Friends Humane Society (in Trenton, Ohio) began to take precedence over my worries for my health. Long story short, this evolved into an incredible grassroots campaign to get a levy passed for a new shelter to be built and we are all looking forward to the grand-opening this June!

Denise, an animal lover too, is a proud, die-hard member of “Steeler Nation” who recently got to go to the Superbowl (thanks to her brother, Rich). It was the happiest day of her life. Most deserving, Denise is one of the lucky few who miraculously survived a massive brain aneurysm. Although it has left her with some physical deficits and major challenges, her faith is stronger than ever.

Together we own a small printing business, Alpine Press in Middletown, Ohio. In the midst of our illnesses we had to deal with a crushing embezzlement and now, of course, the failing economy. Our prayers have been answered as we now have two dynamic people who have stepped up to the plate to do sales and help re-build the business under a new name (come June or July), Alpine Printing and Media Center.

We have 3 dogs, all of them rescues, and the light of our lives. None of them has cancer; however, interestingly enough, when my neck was loaded with it, our dog Cody kept shoving the Reiki therapist off of me, trying to get to my neck. She knew!

And on that note, HUGE thanks to Luke Robinson for gracing us with his presence (he was the guest of honor at our biggest fundraiser, the Bark’n’Purr Ball on February 28th, 2009). He got up behind the podium and proceeded to educate a room filled with 500 people on the lack of diagnostics for canine cancer and the need for more canine cancer research. He asked the audience how many of them had dogs with cancer and the hands went up all around the room. Luke visited our shelters, old and new, and continued to spread the word. He is kind and knowledgeable and sadly, knows first-hand what it is like to lose a dog to cancer.

We marvel over the fact that Luke gave up his job and his home to carry out this selfless mission to raise awareness of canine cancer. To commemorate his visit with all of us, Denise and I purchased a brick that our shelter is now selling to help fund-raise. The brick will be engraved: Luke Robinson 2 Dogs 2000 Miles and will become a permanent part of the pavement at the new shelter.

It was an absolute honor meeting you, Luke, and may God bless every step you continue to take. It is a cause well worth supporting and I am pretty sure Ellen De Generes would want to promote you on her show, being the animal lover that she is. Who knows? You could become the Susan G. Korman of canine cancer!

In your travels Luke, be sure to remind people to always consider adoption first and to spay/neuter their pets.

Special thanks to Nancy for taking time to add her voice to the 2Dogs blog. Best wishes for good health to you and Denise, and good luck with your 're-newed' venture, Alpine Printing and Media Center.

Pictured above: (1) Nancy, Luke, and Denise; (2) Luke at the podium; (3) Luke, Nancy, and friends at Animal Friends Humane Society.