Raising Indiana: EPI

Pretty much since I first adopted the FLP (Funny Looking Pyrenees) it's been impossible to put weight on him.  Plus he's been like a stomach on four legs with an insatiable appetite and he resource guards food like Louis CK takes to Cinnabons.  

Now we think we know why.  

Back in Cincinnati I had Dr. Carey at the Care Center take a look at him and after I gave a thorough history, he suggested Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or EPI as a diagnostic theory.  His bloodwork got screwed up so we decided to start him on pancreatic supplements to test the theory and in less than a month, lil Nanna has put on 7 pounds.  

Hudson and Indiana are with Mommy G in Memphis for the next month while Tish and I are finishing up filming for the documentary but now that the Tour is over, I'm trying to learn as much about the disorder as possible.  

But what I know of it so far is it's nutritionally manageable with pancreatic enzyme supplements and, thank god, it shouldn't limit his longevity at all or prevent him from having a happy, normal, baby Moose life.

It's only been a few days but I miss Moosey and when I see him in December, I'm gonna buy him a Cinnabon.  

2 Million Dogs Funds Bone Cancer Study

Bone cancer is a curious thing.  Fairly rare in humans.   Fairly common in large breed dogs.  And even though we share no evolutionary link with our canine counterparts, it looks the same, spreads the same so what's up? 

I wasn't able to discover any answers before I lost Malcolm to this aggressive form of cancer back in 2006 and walking across 16 states to find out why didn't give me any greater insights.  

So I'm pleased to announce that 2 Million Dogs is donating $20,000 to Broad Institute for an osteosarcoma study.  I'm sure many of you, like myself, have never heard of Broad before and I highly recommend that you learn more about them.   

They're a collaboration between MIT, Harvard, Mass Gen, and Dana Farber, and they're also the folks behind mapping the canine genome. I've toured their facilities in Cambridge and let me tell you, it's state of the art.   Broad is a game changer in genomics research and comparative biology and this is what appeals to me most as what we are trying to accomplish at 2 Million Dogs has never been done before.  

I could not be more pleased with funding a study there and I want to thank the Board of 2 Million Dogs and our fearless leader, Ginger Morgan.  We set the bar high this year and 2013 is going to be even bigger.  And a shout out to all of the city organizers and sponsors, also fearless leaders, who make this all possible.  

"There's nothing like a dream to create the future" Victor Hugo

Malcolm I Still Ask Why

Three promises I made
Before the needle stuck your vein

Years and years passed
Miles and miles steadfast

All the streets
And silver sheets

Malcolm, I still ask why

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Happy Birthday.  This poem was inspired by Ozzy's 'Mama I'm Coming Home'