"Bark Loud, Bark Proud" By Dr. Bonnie Jones

                                                                     

                               

                                I've often wondered, if dogs could talk, what would they say?

                                I take the responsibility to advocate for dogs and all animal species that cannot speak for themselves very seriously. But, if dogs could talk instead of bark,  I think they would say "Take care of my people."

                                After all, pets are dependent on people to provide their veterinary care as well as their basic needs of food, water and shelter. On more than one occasion, I have witnessed pet owners sacrificing their own needs, health care and otherwise, to care for their pets. Also on more than one occasion, I have advised pet owners NOT to make these sacrifices for their pets when it involves their own health  care.

                                Through 31 years of studying and caring for animals, I've come to the conclusion that what I have really been tasked with as a veterinarian is to care for pets AND their people. I am certain that early in my career this epiphany was not on my radar.  However, as I have grown older, what has become strikingly clear is that in order to care for animals, I must first  focus on making sure their people are well educated and...well, just plain "well."

                                Possibly one of my greatest opportunities to care for pet owners  as a veterinarian has come about in the last few years as the chairperson for the American Cancer Society's (ACS) Delphos Relay for Life mini-relay called "Bark for Life."  This fundraising event is described by the ACS as "honoring the life-long contributions of our Canine Caregivers." 

                                While celebrating the human-animal bond, Bark for Life "presents an opportunity for people to be empowered through their canine companion partnerships and to contribute to cancer cures through the mission of the American Cancer Society." It's easy to see why  Bark for Life is a win-win for me.  By celebrating the care-giving qualities of canine companions, it gives me the amazing chance to help fight the fight against cancer that has or will touch all pet owners at some time in their lives.

                            Bark for life is my passion for these reasons and more.  With Father's Day just around the corner, my investment in this ACS fundraiser is also a very personal one.

                            My father died because he was a smoker...not just any smoker, but a smoker of unfiltered cigarettes from an early age.  He was also a father of nine so a good income was a necessity.  My dad spent most of his working years as a roofer whose main responsibility was being the "kettle man." As such, he worked  closely with hot asphalt he prepared for roof applications, exposing him to asbestos and other aerosolized toxins.  Hot tar AND smoking set him up for an all too early death due to lung cancer.

                                The other father in my life was my father-in-law, Dr. David O. Jones. His legacy is long, but his life was too short. "D.O.," as he was affectionately known,  was a Professor of Veterinary Preventive Medicine at The Ohio State University.  His passions were teaching and public health. I now realize that he was also my mentor for being a servant of animals AND people.

                                "Davey" was my husband's moniker for the man he also called "Dad." Davey suffered the crippling pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a probable sequela to a brucellosis infection he acquired from cattle. 

                                This great man found adequate RA pain relief from a drug called Chlorambucil.  While it improved Davey's quality of life, this medication also may have shortened it. The revered man who taught so many veterinarians and touched the lives of even more, died of lymphoma within three months of his diagnosis while my husband and I were seniors  in veterinary college.

                                Watching both of these patriarchs pass due to the ravages of cancer made my passion to fight merciless, ever-changing cancers of all kinds even stronger. Through Bark for Life, I have the tools and focus group to raise funds to help "Finish the Fight" in my lifetime. I will continue to "Bark Loud and Bark Proud" to all who will listen that collecting pledges to walk your dog in a lovely park for the ACS fundraiser, " Bark For Life," is a win-win for people AND animals.

 

Dr. Bonnie Jones is co-owner of Delphos Animal Hospital. The DAH Bark for Life Team has raised over $27,000 for the ACS. Dr. Bonnie invites you to collect pledges and join the BFL walk at Delphos' Leisure Park, Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 2-4:00 pm.