Mr. Brown Gives a Face to Canine Cancer

Cancer affects all kinds of people everyday, but it also affects animals and Mr. Brown is one of them.

Mr. Brown, a four-year-old German shepherd mix, is suffering from soft tissue sarcoma, a type of cancer that affects muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves and tendons, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website. His cancer has spread to his lungs and his left paw up to the shoulder blade had to be amputated.

But despite this, Mr. Brown has kept his positive and playful demeanor. He is also participating in canine cancer clinical trials at The Veterinary Cancer Center in Connecticut, which could end up benefitting humans, as well.

The cancer treatments for Mr. Brown were costly and anyone who wishes to donate can visit the GoFundMe page. He still has more trials and chemotherapy ahead of him and around $4,000 has been spent so far getting him the help he needs.

To keep Mr. Brown comfortable during his treatment, Chris Ulreich, a board member at Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue, took it upon herself to take Mr. Brown home. He’s been living with Ulreich since mid-May.

But Ulreich realized Mr. Brown could be more than just a dog with cancer. He could help educate people about what exactly canine cancer is and bring hope and inspiration to others whose dog is suffering and even to people who are living with the disease themselves.

“It’s trying to show what an awesome life he’s leading even though he’s fighting cancer,” Ulreich said. “We’re going to give him the best life we can for whatever time he’s got because we don’t know what his previous life was. We can assume it wasn’t the best because of the condition that he was in.”

When Mr. Brown came to Hopeful Tails in March, he had multiple scars on him, a missing tooth, gum stuck in his fur and couldn’t use his left paw. After multiple x-rays and consultations, it was determined that he had cancer.

More than 1,400 people have liked Mr. Brown’s Facebook page, and Ulreich said those likes come from people coast to coast and all over the world. People from the United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy, Egypt and India have all been moved by Mr. Brown’s story. Several people have posted messages of support for him.

“It’s heartwarming how many people are attached to him,” Ulreich said. “It’s pretty cool how everyone’s coming together (for him).”

He even has his own bucket list and only one more item is left: to go on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. His accomplishments include celebrating his birthday, having a play date with other dogs and eating salmon for dinner.

The ultimate outlook for Mr. Brown is not as joyful. It’s unlikely Mr. Brown will die of old age. But Ulreich doesn’t want the dog’s time here to be in vain. He can help give families hope.

“Live life and each day to the fullest,” Ulreich said. “Keep trying and keep fighting.”

Mr. Brown will be delivering that message through his tongue-wagging smile at Bark for Life, an event that will help raise money and awareness for canine cancer. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Inwood Park in Joliet.

“He’s going to be an honorary participant,” Ulreich said.