This is the story of Rocket and his journey battling a rare form of cancer called Osteosarcoma. Throughout his diagnosis, surgery and recovery, his Mom, Kelly Siefkin (SFBFS Communication and Development Director) kept her friends and family abreast of his progress. Since his surgery, Rocket has become the unofficial mascot for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. He has had an amazing impact on this incredible organization. Rocket has over 50 visitors a day. Kelly truly believes this has kept Rocket going. This is a heart-warming story about best friends.

Friday 2/8/08

After two visits to the vet to address his persistent, 2-week long limp, Rocket is finally diagnosed with Osteosarcoma – a painful, aggressive and fatal form of bone cancer.

Saturday, Sunday & Monday

I cry endlessly as I struggle with making the decision whether to euthanize him now or amputate his front leg immediately and euthanize later. Neither decision seemed right. Decide to amputate in hopes of temporarily relieving his pain and give us a bit more time together. Prognosis is 3-6 months.

Tuesday 2/12/08

Rocket heads off to the vet at 1:00pm. I receive a call at 11:00pm that he has just come out of 1.5 hours of surgery and did well. He now weighs about 15 pounds less without his front leg.

Wednesday 2/13/08

I receive a call at 9am that Rocket is hopping around at the vet hospital, has already gone for his first 3-legged walk and is now ready to head home. Other than being in complete shock that the surgery went so well so quickly, I’m thrilled. I pick him up to bring him home around 6pm. He has 3 legs, 22 staples, 1 gigantic wound and a lot less hair.

Thursday 2/14/08

Rocket and I worked from home all day. I’m trying to catch up on e-mails as he learns his way around the house on three legs. It is AMAZING how quickly he is adapting to life on 3 legs. He mastered the outside steps immediately and can now lay down easily without falling. Rocket spent most of the day napping outside in the sun and playing with squeaky toys.

I have no idea what the future will bring or how much time we have left together, but our plan is to take one day at a time. We have a few weeks of recovery ahead and we’ll go from there. Rocket and I are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives. Thank you for the phone calls, the deliveries of food, the time to think things through, the squeaky toys, the personal stories you shared, the advice and all the good thoughts. We love you so much! Please keep those good thoughts coming.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Hi family and friends,

Hope you are doing well. Just thought I'd drop you a note to let you know how well Rocket is doing. With three legs and lots of fur, this pup manages to live each day to the fullest.

Last week Rocket celebrated 6 months since his leg amputation. An amazing feat considering Rocket was given only 3-6 month to live. While we know the cancer is not going away and his days are in fact numbered, it's been a pleasure to see him enjoy life as he continues all of the things he loves most in the world - fetching tennis balls, chasing squirrels and going for evening walks, which we now lovingly refer to as "going for hops around the neighborhood." He moves much quicker with three legs than four and my power-walking skills are tested each night as we cruise our favorite one mile loop. I actually heard one neighbor refer to him as "that fast-hopping, three-legged dog." His love for this activity makes me put on my shoes every night and go for a walk - we NEVER miss this time together.

One of the things I feel keeps Rocket going is all the love he receives at work. Within a few weeks of surgery, Rocket began coming to the office with me every day. In addition to the peace of mind I have knowing that he is safe and I can keep an eye on him, Rocket loves the more than 50 visitors (volunteers and staff) who stop by every day to give him a hug and a pat on the head. Rocket actually had to go on a diet because he was getting so many treats in the office! I feel so lucky to work in such a caring and supportive environment and Rocket, in turn, has become somewhat of a mascot and ambassador. We've educated hundreds of people about osteocarcoma and impress many with his ability to jump in the air to catch a Frisbee. At Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Rocket is the newest and furriest volunteer for the youth program. Elementary age children take turns reading books to him each week (check out the attached photo). Additionally, the clients in Women's Wisdom, a program that encourages healing through art, enjoy visits from the tri-pod for one-on-one pet therapy sessions and have even requested him to pose for their still-life drawing class. This dog has a million great friends.

Please come by and visit us anytime, I know Rocket would love to see you. Or we can come to you and I can impress you with my abilities to lift a 94 pound dog in and out of the car.

Thank you for sending your good thoughts our way. You have been such an amazing support to both of us.

February 13, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

It is amazing how time has flown by. Can you believe that one year ago I sent out an e-mail letting you know about the successful outcome of Rocket's surgery? More unbelievable is the fact that he was given 3-6 months to live with osteocarcoma, an aggressive and terminal form of cancer, and here he is, as outgoing and troublesome as ever, one year later!

The past year has been such a blessing. Rocket recovered quickly from his amputation and adjusted to life on three legs faster than I ever would have expected. He soon became a fixture at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS), earning the title of unofficial mascot. Having him at work each day is such a joy for me, knowing he is safe and comfortable, but I had NO idea what it would do for him. He quickly rose in rank above me, with people bee-lining to see him each day, leaving me to be the person who takes up space in the dog's office. I'll often come back from a tour of the building to find volunteers cuddled on the dog bed with Rocket or a staff member venting to him about a difficult situation with a client. Lint rollers became as common as staplers on desks and if for some reason the dog didn't make it to work one day (perhaps 3 times total in the past year), I would face the wrath of a upset volunteer. However, the love didn't just permeate adults, it was abundant with kids. Rocket soon became a regular in the After-School program at SFBFS. Elementary aged students that behaved well during the week and completed their homework assignments could earn reading time with the dog, one-on-one.

I'm convinced that the time Rocket has shared at SFBFS has kept him alive and well over the past year. Just like people, I feel animals with incurable cancer can make the most of their situation by surrounding themselves with people they love.

I really want to thank each and every one of you for being so kind and supportive of me and the pup over the last year. I did not think we'd make it this long, but so many of you did. Thank you for your endless good thoughts and prayers. Rocket is the most amazing form of entertainment and joy, thank you for letting me share that with you.

This is an edited version of Rocket's story

Please note: Kelly's last update was February of 2009. It's October 2009 and Rocket is doing great!