The Incredible Life of Reilly
Paulette Peckol

Background
I purchased my Irish setter, Reilly (Am & Can CH Devlin's Red Devil Reilly MH), as a puppy and home companion in January 1994, with no thoughts about showing or field events. My first experience with showing Reilly (my first show dog) occurred when he was almost 2 years old. He earned his American and Canadian conformation championships quickly with me as the novice handler.

I became involved in AKC events when Reilly was almost two years old. I learned breed handling for conformation events, but was "hooked" on field activities when Reilly was introduced to birds at a setter fun day when he was 4 years old. Though I continued to show him, I began spending more time with him in field activities. He clearly loved birdwork, so we focused on that. He is the first dog I've trained for AKC Hunting Tests, and for the most part, I have learned by observing and working "hands-on" with dogs in the field.

Reilly and I have worked as a team through the years to complete his AKC Junior Hunter (JH), AKC Senior Hunter (SH), and finally his AKC Master Hunter (MH) title in April 2003 when Reilly was nine.

1. Diagnosis
June 2004
Now over ten years old, Reilly began limping one day. Our primary care vet insisted we do an xray. Both her xray and the orthopedic surgeon's xray indicated bone loss, indicative of osteosarcoma. The bone was biopsied, and I just received the phone call on the lab report.

This is a very aggressive cancer that rapidly metastasizes--usually to the lungs. Currently Reilly's lungs are clear; his blood work looks great. I decided I will have Reilly's front left leg amputated. Amputation is done to control pain and to hopefully slow spread. I currently plan chemotherapy (carboplatin) to slow the course of the spread, depending on the surgery recovery and what the oncologist recommends. At each step I will be assessing the situation to determine what is best for him, because I love him so much.

Generally, chemotherapy is given 4 or more times with 3 weeks between sessions. Between each session a dog's condition and bloodwork are assessed and adjustments are made to maximize the dog's quality of life (unlike the case with humans, veterinary oncologists aren't trying to CURE the cancer, rather, prolong the QUALITY of life in the dog. Amputation alone removes the tumor (and pain), but this cancer has likely metastasized by the time the dog is limping. Generally, chemotherapy doubles the survival time over just amputation.

2. Treatment
August 2004
It is amazing to watch the daily progress, if not incredible. Never for a minute have I regretted taking Reilly's leg. He had no issues related to the surgery and never missed a meal! He has adapted quickly (he can already lift either hind leg to urinate) and has established an efficient gait (a lope or slow canter and gallop) to replace his usual ground covering trot. Each day his strength and endurance build post-surgery, and the course of chemotherapy is ongoing. His first chemo treatment went smoothly. His bloodwork was good. The chemicals hadn't depressed his blood count. Reilly continues to grow his hair back slowly and continues to gain strength. He therefore can move forward with the second chemo session on August 16.

His complementary care includes his diet consisting of Eukanuba Performance and cooked meat/fish added (a high protein and fat diet) with additional supplements and a multivitamin. He is also receiving Reiki therapy before and after each chemotherapy session.

I feel this complementary care, his ongoing contact with birds in the field, AND all the encouragement and love sent from many people, are contributing to his wellness...but just to be on the safe side, his primary care vet made him a yellow jersey that says "#1 LIVE STRONG LIKE ARMSTRONG". Reilly wears the shirt of his role model with great pride.

3. Waiting...
September 2004
I have been in a STATE the last couple of days. Reilly's oncologist said we needed to xray Reilly's lungs prior to his third chemo session to see how we were doing. If the cancer had spread, then there would be no reason to go on with the chemotherapy. Of course, I had no reason to worry I told myself. Reilly has been amazing and strong, and in fact, is gaining weight through his chemo, but I was worried anyway...really worried.

I sat in the waiting room for an eternity it seemed, studying the ISCA health report about osteosarcoma, then the oncologist came out to say the side views of the lungs looked great, but the front view needed to be redone because it wasn't done right. Oh geez, more waiting. I could peek at Reilly walking in the hall behind the door at one point, and he wasn't looking happy. I started stuffing mints in my mouth as I used to do at dog shows so my stressful breath didn't blow on him.

Then they didn't have an open room for me to join him for administering the carboplatin...more waiting. Then I saw a dog being euthanized in one room, and hoped that they wouldn't give us THAT room. They did. I protested that my hunting dog could certainly smell what had just happened in there. Reilly was very agitated throughout the infusion, but the tech was very patient--didn't rush it--making sure he got the "fit" he wanted with the catheter. Still, it was stressful for all.

I am thrilled beyond belief that Reilly's lungs are clear. The oncologist said that complete blood chemistry wasn't necessary at this point, because Reilly looked so good.

My Reiki teacher had told me to administer Reiki on Reilly right after chemotherapy. I did. It was a very good session with him--I could visibly see him improving and relaxing from the session. Overall, Reilly had the easiest time of all chemo sessions so far, even after all that stress at the vet's office. He slept soundly with no issues, no restlessness, no sickness. He didn't eat breakfast, but after the day's Reiki session, my teacher told me that his digestive system is healing fast and that he would eat after the session. I replied that Reilly had always missed a full day of meals after chemo. Guess who wanted to eat tonight? I took it easy though, because I don't feel his digestive system is totally back to normal after 24 hours after chemo.

However, it is interesting to see the power of this complementary care--Reiki therapy--because I feel it has helped Reilly recover more quickly from the side effects of chemotherapy. Reiki therapy focuses on providing the good cells of the body with energy to rebound important following chemotherapy in which toxic chemicals kill good and bad cells. I believe that in dogs there is no placebo effect, and Reilly does respond positively to the therapy. Also just prior to his chemotherapy session, Reilly had a big jaunt in a bird-laden field, so he was in a good state going into the treatment.

4. Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Reilly's fourth chemotherapy was administered on September 27. Reilly received an injection of Reglan before his carboplatin infusion. This again made a huge difference in his condition following the chemotherapy. The infusion went smoothly compared with the last session. We checked Reilly's CBC counts WEEKLY throughout the chemo. The vet suggests Reilly have four chemotherapy sessions since that is the minimum.

Reilly showed almost no effects from this carboplatin infusion. I gave him a light dinner that day and he slept soundly with no restlessness. He refused his breakfast the next morning, but he was ready for the evening meal; I again fed him a light meal of cooked meat and broth. His energy level dipped briefly only during that morning, similar to previous sessions. He was back to his regular activity by the evening walk. Reilly again received Reiki therapy the evening right after the chemotherapy and the following day.

For his fourth infusion, we, of course, celebrated (as we always do) with a bacon double cheeseburger and a fabulous romp in the woods.

5. Final treatment
October 2004
The oncologist wanted between 4-6 sessions; I split the difference and went with five. Reilly's fifth chemotherapy was administered on October 18. Reilly received an injection of Reglan before his carboplatin infusion. The infusion went smoothly. Basically the fifth treatment and the day's progress following the treatment was a repeat of the fourth.

Is the cancer gone? Probably not. Bone cancer is highly aggressive. As previously mentioned, removing all of the cancer wasn't the goal. With nonhuman mammals, the chemotherapy isn't given at a level to rid the body of cancer--instead, the intention is to prolong a quality life. At each step I have only done that for Reilly. Follow-up blood tests have indicated that all is normal, and he has been resilient and active, doing the things he loves with exuberence. As long as his quality of life continues to be upbeat, I will continue the routine testing such as chest xrays to be given at 3-month intervals. At this point, Reilly is doing great. His coat is glossy, and he has a lot of strength and stamina. Many days he spends several hours hunting in the field. We are thoroughly enjoying the journey together, for however long this journey may now be.

The above photo was taken in Fall 2004. Reilly placed (tied) third among 13 younger, more able hunting dogs. My three-legged 11-year-old boy lookin' good in the field!

It's Spring!
April 2005
Reilly had a check up with a complete lung xray and blood work--went great for him. Everything was all clear, and his blood work was normal. We are now 11+ months from the amputation, and I feel so fortunate. I have decided no more follow ups because at 11.5 years old, what would I do if a tumor were found in Reilly's lungs? The oncologist said last year, that if found early enough, we could surgically remove it/or the lung. But I feel that would compromise Reilly's quality of life. Moving on three legs is somewhat like skipping (by us) in terms of how aerobic it is, and Reilly needs his healthy/full lung capacity.

Cancer free
Spring 2006
Reilly is STILL alive and doing well! His age has caught up with him, and the winter was tough. BUT at 13 years old, Reilly has clearly survived bone cancer. Hunting is now birds put out for him in a field, but he still really enjoys it.

A Birthday pheasant
January 2008
Reilly had his 14th birthday pheasant hunt with a lot of help from his human friends due to deep snow cover at that time, but he still had the joy and exuberance of life. Then within the month, Reilly chose the time for his departure--very quickly--only missed one meal. I took him to my vet for her decision, but I knew her answer. "It is about Reilly's quality of life, Paulette, and you will do this for Reilly because you love him more than you love yourself." So, when Reilly let me know that we could no longer continue our earthly partnership, I honored his desire because I love him so much.


Paulette Peckol has had Irish setters as companions since the mid 70s, and has always relished the long dog walks in fields and woods that the breed thrives on. She has helped many people and dogs with their AKC Junior Hunter titles. She enjoys judging hunting tests and watching the distinctive hunting styles of our pointing breeds. She enjoys giving back to the sport from which she has received so much. She especially loves watching setters in the field; nothing tops the unforgettable beauty of those magic moments.

Paulette welcomes email from those who have pets dealing with cancer and hopes to help through her experience that it is a journey strengthened through support and sharing.

This article was first published on chocolatepeanut.com several years ago, and she notes that since then "many people have commented about either finding this article about Reilly or has forwarded it to others whose dogs have cancer. It has really been helpful for many people, offering hope because this cancer definitely occurs in the breed."

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