Ms. Talladega - Rising to the Challenge

[Team Chloe]

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r292/elkster23/chloeanddega.jpg

This is a picture of the first day that Chloe and I met our twin Dega and Gianna! January 2007!

Today Dega is rising to a great challenge! Dega was diagnosed with cancer in her front leg. Through many tests, biopsies and consultations it was determined that the cancer was localized in her front leg and that it had not spread. Today Dega had her front leg removed! Her surgery went great and her prognosis is excellent!

Please keep Gianna and Dega in your thoughts and prayers! We need all the positive energy going her way!

Folks....remember this is why we fight so hard for the Chase Away K9 Cancer! It not only effects other people....but those among us!

Gianna and Dega are strong! They are an inspiration....and in no time we will see them back among us once again!

We love you Gianna and Dega! We wish you a speedy recovery and we can't wait to see you real soon!!

Dave, Erin, Ginger and the C-Dog

[Howie and Maxx]

Gianna, I am so sorry to hear about Dega. But I am thankful that she is still here for us to love on and encourage. We just went though a scare with BOTH Maxx and Lucy recently, but everything eventually turned out OK. I will be keeping both you and Talladega in my thoughts and prayers. Please give her a big hug for me. Love to you both.

Very Sincerely,

[DogMom]

Gianna & Dega,

All the best to you during this difficult time, we will be thinking of you and sending prayers your way. Please keep us posted on Dega's progress.

Stacie & Family

[snapple]

Your positive outlook and approach is half the battle won with Dega. She is strong because of you, and our postive thoughts and prayers are sent your way also.
Knowing all too well what you all must be going through, as Snapple was given 12 to 14 months (max!) after his cancer treatments (it's now been 22 months of healthy and fun K9 living), as we all fight hard in the Chase Away K9 Cancer plight.

[PrinceAndyFlores]

So sorry.... You have great dog with a great attitude, I am sure she can get through anything especially with your love, care and support. Our thoughts are with the both of you....

[Linda Hettich]

Wow, they really could be twins!! The resemblance is amazing! You stay strong Gianna!! We love you, and are always here for you!

[Ms. Talladega]

Hello from Dega's Nurse Station,

She has directed her mother to check in and send a special thank you and provide a day #5 update.

First of all, Team Chloe & Family are our HERO'S! When Dega & I went to the doctors on 8.12 to have an x-ray on a swollen wrist area we had no idea what "journey" we were going to enter.

When we left there in nothing but tears and confusion of what just had been told to us, I did not know how we would pull through.

As many know I am not really a part of the message board, so I did not go there to announce Dega's deal because so many other things need energy.

Dave is an amazing soul and looked beyond everything and linked in Splash Dog family to the news on my girl.

From that point forward, my e-mail in box was filled with tons of love, support, advice, encouragement, reassurance, knowledge, compassion, and honest care by so many Splash Dog people.

Dega & I pulled through this "journey" because of Team Chloe-Team Mickey D-Team Tessa -Cera/Chase Away K9 Cancer - Team Gritty/Heather - Team Tasha/Jim.

Dave taught me that everyone has more to offer when we stand by each other. Cera taught us that there is hope and to never lose faith. Sandra reminded us that kindness and positive prayer is what will make the difference. Jim taught us that is was going to be okay and that she will be back on that dock w/everyone! Heather taught us to believe in each other all the way through it.

Now Dega & I are pulling through recovery with a whole new bank of support.
Thank you so much everyone for all the answered prayers!!!!!!!! and the continual support!

Now!!!!!! UPDATE UPDATE - NEWS FLASH.....Ms. Talla Dega on her 1st evening after surgery was given the chance to pop up on her own....& she did. We are now on Day #5 w/20 stitches that look fantastic, we are walking on our own, wanting to jump & play, bringing mom toys, struggling to stay sedated so she doesn't hurt her stitches, she has had an appetite since she landed at home Friday night eating w/normal desire, lots of water, potty checks out fine, tail is a waggen fool as usual, actually beginning to sleep on the removal side - comfortably too! She is a crack up to watch learn how to shake - but she does it. She sits perfectly and up & down.

Dega & I have every intention of joining a nation wide awareness groups to raise funds for K9 Cancer. Dega also plans on leading a new life of inspiration for children & adults that have had amputations and need motivation.

Dega & I are anxious to get through the stitch stage and begin sharing our journey to make a difference for others.

Once again and with all my heart & Dega's too.........Thank You!!!!!!!
We are honored that Ms. Tessa dedicated her PB of 23' 11" to us and will always be so proud of that one! Ursula was dead on what I would have been feeling to watch such a fantastic jump! WAY TO GO Linda & Tessa!!!

Sincerly & with deep gratefulness to all of you.
Gianna & Ms. Talla Dega

[MickeyD'sMom]

Gianna & Dega:
You are loved by so many! I thought I would put up Linda and Tessa's dedicated jump to Dega so everyone could enjoy. What a wonderful tribute! Thanks Linda and Tessa.

http://s493.photobucket.com/albums/rr300/LindaHet/Talla%20Dega/?action=view&current=TallaDega.flv

[Tinka's mom]

Gianna and Talla Dega, First off Tinka and I are joing your large group of fans, supporters and well wishers. Did not know of any of this, but thanks to Linda H., she told me about the surgery on Saturday. I was so shocked! We just want you to know our prayers are following the two of you everywhere.!!Take care, and get it done girls!!
Suzy and Tinka

[Sassy Girl]

Sandra -

Thank you for sharing the video - I'll tell you I am the wrong person to have on the mic when something so special is to be said. I was so choked up during this jump and to see that 23'11!!!! Tessa was on fire!

Dega & Gianna - we all love you girls...hugs and positive thoughts coming your way....

[Linda Hettich]

YOU were choked up?? You were getting ME choked up!! But Urs, you did great! Everything you said was perfect! And when you said, "Oh my God, Linda..." it was one of those moments that went in slow motion. I'm getting goose-bumps just thinking about it.

See what you inspire, Dega??? :)

[Goldenone]

So sorry to hear about Dega. She is a survivor and will do very well and adapt very well to the environment. Have you seen the video of the lab that is 10 years old in Virginia that still dock jumps with her front right leg amputated. That is an inspiration to see and know that Dega will do just fine.

I have an 11 year old golden that was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in June. We did the front left leg amputation and in a couple of days he was up and getting around OK. We have gone through 4 rounds of chemo, 6 weeks of physical therapy with him going 2 times a week and spending the day at the facility, and 2 sets of chest xrays and lots of bloodwork. He is done with his chemo for now. His chest xrays have all been clear so far, but we go back in about 5 weeks for another round of xrays. It is very tough to see our little 4-legged loves of our lifes go through this, but the do much better than we give them credit for.

I am sure little Miss Dega will do just fine. We were at an event a few weeks ago in Houston and Norton donned the Chase Away K9 Cancer a few times and collected money for the cause. It was very rewarding to see how people will reach into their pockets and donate for a worthy cause. This was only 5 days before Hurricane Ike hit Houston.

We'll keep our fingers crossed and give her lots of hugs and kisses.

[GoodLabs]

Norton, cancer survivor, helping Chase Away K9 Cancer.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee294/goodLabs_bucket/DSC_0091-1.jpg

He's such a cute boy!!
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee294/goodLabs_bucket/DSC_0088-1-1.jpg

[hershey kiss]

Hershey Kiss & Family are so sorry to hear about Dega.

[Labpaw]

I am so sorry to hear of your struggles, but glad that you have each other, and SO many others, to lean on.

We wish you the very best! :)

[all4sadie]

Wow, Reading all these posts. I'm in tears.....tears of sadness and also tears of joy. I'm so sorry to hear about the cancer, but so glad to hear about how well everyone is doing.

Everyone is in our thoughts and prayers.......

Cindy & Sadie

[Linda Hettich]

Hey Cindy,

How is Sadie doing??

[Team Chloe]

Good morning Everyone!

Dega & I are happy to report we have made it to day #14. Tomorrow morning the stitches are scheduled to be removed!

Dega has been a fantastic patient. We ventured to our family reunion in Placerville/Tahoe and have returned back home. Dega had the opportunity to be cared for by not only her "mom" nurse, but was in presence of the real nurses - Grandma, Aunts, Texan Cousins, Florida Uncle and so much more!

Mom stayed insistent on Tough Love and kept her sedated during her visit of 9 to 15 people at anytime. She did really well around 3 other dogs that could play but not w/her.

She has proven that stairs are a breeze and is just now beginning to figure out how to stretch like she used to. The attempts to jump into the truck her self are out of control and require football like defense to avoid her doing this.....

She finished with all her med's on Monday, so we are on our 3rd day with no pain killers or sedation. She is actually tolerating still being restricted very well. Though it is just her & me now, so what could she possibly get too excited about right? LOL.

I am very proud of her and thankful for making it through the last 2 weeks w/out any hiccups in the recovery. My back looks forward to when I don't have to pick her up in & out of the truck.

She visited many of her fans at work on Tuesday which really lifted her spirit. These are the people she knows day in and day out and it was good for all to know Dega is still our Dega.

I hope for the next update to be a photo of her in the water.........as soon as we have clearance is as soon as we are going! We will start slow and shallow w/a vest to avoid any new trial scares. Don't expect it will take more than 5 minutes before Dega get's it. Afterall she is a lab and we all know it's just in their natural ability 4 legs or 2 legs.......

*We have also contacted Therapy Dogs Inc. to begin the process of registration & acceptance so we can start volunteering her love & high spirit.

Till next time.........love your pets and give them lots of hugs & kisses for us!

Gianna & Ms. Talla Dega

[Sassy Girl]

I love the update! Dega is just that - Dega! Her fighting spirit are an inspiration!