Health

Preparing to Donate My Dog’s Body to Cancer Research

If you read my previous post, “Can I Donate My Dog’s Body to Cancer Research? Part I,” you know it’s my goal to try and do this with Toby.  You also might know, it has been a lot harder than I thought it would be  in terms of finding a place as well as the process. 

However, I am happy to report we now have a plan in place! 

As I previously mentioned, through the Canines-n-Kids Foundation, we were connected with a doctor who specializes in lymphoma research at Cornell. She has been amazingly helpful throughout this process. 

So, here is where we are at. 

Next week, they are going to call me, and go through all the consent paper work and then send me the kit for the tissue sample, which Toby’s oncologist has graciously agreed to do when the time comes. 

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how this all works. In the following few paragaphs, I will explain, the way I understand how it’s going to happen, when it happens – which I hope isn’t for a long time. It’s a sensitive subject so, feel free to stop read. 

For those who are looking for information or are just curious, keep reading after the photo.

When the time comes, they will first collect a blood sample during or before the euthanasia. Once Toby has passed on, they will remove the tissue and whatever other sample is needed. Then, Toby’s body will be creamated as it normally would be, and his ashes will be returned to me.

The oncologist will also prepare a final report on Toby’s health/condition and it, along with the sample will be sent off to Cornell. 

I was happy to learn that I will still get Toby back, and he will hopefully be able to help lymphoma research. I was prepared to not have Toby’s remains, but am glad this is still an option. However, of it weren’t, it would not have changed my mind about wanting to do this. 

The preparation for this has been daunting. It’s very odd to be planning the end of someone’s life. I can’t imagine what people go through when they get a terminal diagnosis and have to do this. Although, I have to say, it’s been oddly unemotional for me. 

Don’t get me wrong, I feel sick-to-my stomach everytime I think about it, but I’m not a crying mess. Maybe it’s because this is so important to me, but I can easily think of all the things that need to be done, problems that may come up and methodically go through each step. I had no problems going through all the information last week with Toby’s oncologist, and I completely understand everything from the doctor at Cornell. 

Yes, it’s all very emotional, and very weird, but it’s also something that is very important to me. And, something that makes this shitty situation a little better. 

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