Pet detective: 'Now I'm the one that needs hope'
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TACOMA, Wash. - A pet detective who just learned her beloved dog faces a terminal illness is launching a campaign to save the specially trained animal.
And she is determined to overcome the obstacle of finances by enlisting help through a contest.
Pet detective Kat Albrecht previously founded the Missing Pet Partnership organization to help people whose pets have disappeared.
"I specialize in bringing hope to people who have lost a dog or a cat that they can't find because it's missing," she says.
One of her rookie canine pet detectives is Zeke. But Zeke was recently diagnosed with lymphoma - a cancer that will take him in a matter of weeks unless he undergoes a chemotherapy treatment that costs $7,000.
And that is far more than Kat can afford. So now she is the one asking for help.
"Now I'm the one that needs hope," she says.
With treatment, Zeke may have a year - or maybe even two or three years.
"We don't know ... but I want the chance," says Kat.
The former police officer and author has an idea - a contest - to raise the money she needs by offering other animal lovers a chance to name the characters in her new book.
"I think it would be an awesome way to give four winners in this contest to see their name in a book," she says.
The book is a mystery-romance novel about a teenager and her canine pet detective - a story inspired by Zeke.
"And knowing that they helped, helped me the author to give Zeke another year," she says.
She knows some will ask - $7,000 to save a dog?
"We all have our passions, and dogs and cats and finding other people's pets is my passion," says Kat. "I want more time ... I'm not ready to give up."
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To make a donation and enter the contest, visit Kat Albrecht's Facebook page »
And she is determined to overcome the obstacle of finances by enlisting help through a contest.
Pet detective Kat Albrecht previously founded the Missing Pet Partnership organization to help people whose pets have disappeared.
"I specialize in bringing hope to people who have lost a dog or a cat that they can't find because it's missing," she says.
One of her rookie canine pet detectives is Zeke. But Zeke was recently diagnosed with lymphoma - a cancer that will take him in a matter of weeks unless he undergoes a chemotherapy treatment that costs $7,000.
And that is far more than Kat can afford. So now she is the one asking for help.
"Now I'm the one that needs hope," she says.
With treatment, Zeke may have a year - or maybe even two or three years.
"We don't know ... but I want the chance," says Kat.
The former police officer and author has an idea - a contest - to raise the money she needs by offering other animal lovers a chance to name the characters in her new book.
"I think it would be an awesome way to give four winners in this contest to see their name in a book," she says.
The book is a mystery-romance novel about a teenager and her canine pet detective - a story inspired by Zeke.
"And knowing that they helped, helped me the author to give Zeke another year," she says.
She knows some will ask - $7,000 to save a dog?
"We all have our passions, and dogs and cats and finding other people's pets is my passion," says Kat. "I want more time ... I'm not ready to give up."
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To make a donation and enter the contest, visit Kat Albrecht's Facebook page »
Why is she a "former " police officer? Â Would it not be better to spend $7,000 on a living person? I do not know what her judgement was like as a cop but this is bad call here to many.
Having been through chemo myself I can tell you that I wouldn't put this dog through it. If it were a cure it might be different. They can't even realistically guarantee this woman another year and in the meantime the dog will suffer major side effects from the treatment.
I felt like my cat could not understand why she was having to undergo IVs, surgery, etc. Â It's not that I didn't love her, but I regret the treatment I put her through. Â I wish I'd let her go earlier so that her last six months weren't characterized by uncomfortable treatments, being in a cage at the vets, fur shaved for IVs, and having to feed her water through an eye dropper. Â To each their own, but just something to think about.
I agree it is a terrible decision to have to make. Our pets become our children, they are loyal and oh so faithful, and forgiving. However, how selfish are we? Do we want quality of life or quantity of life?
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Having just made that decision with our furry son who had CHF I know how extremely hard it is. Not one day goes by that there are not tears and the thoughts of "What if we....." In the end I know our decision was the right one and our boy is no longer in pain, discomfort or hurt. He is at the Rainbow Bridge.Â
@Magicalwoman - I know the feeling. My long time dog companion passed away in March. I've had many dogs, but none like her - she was almost 13 and I did spend some dollars on her through the years, but it was worth every dime. However, if a large sum of money won't bring much quality of life or a longer term of life - it really isn't worth it. After awhile, I got another dog - a puppy after having that older dog - sometimes I wonder. Ha! But it will be all worth it going down the road.
Sad to hear about this but do yourself and the community you are trying to get money from a favour and just go with euthanasia. The chemo will only delay the inevitable and probably only give the dog a few more weeks of terrible pain and suffering.
@Barlion My dog had chemo and has survived two years, cancer free and healthy. If he had been in terrible pain or there woud have been no chance of chemo working, I would not have stood by and seen him suffer. Each case is individual and the pet's person and vet need to make the decisions.
The law of the dog community: You NEVER tell another dog owner when they should put their dog down -- any more than you would tell a friend when they should have children or whether they should marry or divorce. Deciding whether to put a dog down or take steps to save his life is a deeply personal decision that the owner will have to live with the rest of his or her life. Ms. Albrecht has shown herself to be, not only a responsible dog owner, but a help and a blessing to other responsible dog owners. She knows her dog better than anyone else and she is the best (and only person) to make decisions for him.  My pack and I salute you, Ms. Albrecht, for all the good work you have done. You have our sincerest best wishes and our support in whatever decision you make for Zeke.Â
@grmnshepherdess Thank you for your post, I totally agree.
 @grmnshepherdess What a kind, caring and responsible post, thank you for writing it.
For those who have not heard of her, Ms. Albrecht has devoted a great deal of time working tirelessly to help families locate their lost pets, and with a very high rate of success. She and her team of volunteers have generously donated time and resources often for little to no compensation, usually requesting a small donation to cover reimbursement for search supplies.
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Zeke, with his keen sense of smell, has played an integral role in assisting with these searches.
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Kat, for all you've done, I certainly hope the public comes through for YOU this time. You certainly deserve an opportunity to save your Zeke. It's also important to note that while cancer treatment can be debilitating for some, not all animals suffer through their cancer treatments. My friend had a Shepard mix treated for lymphoma a few years ago and reported his dog suffering no ill effects, sickness or lethargy... which just goes to show, not all animals react adversely to chemo or radiation. My thoughts are with you...
I am so very sorry for both you and Zeke. I pray that chemotherapy will work for him. My Siberian Husky is a cancer survivor. He had thyroid cancer in 2010, surgery to remove his left thyroid and parathyroid, then chemo. He went to Animal Cancer Specialists in Lake City . The chemo did not make him sick or lose hair like humans do. The veterinary oncologist was honest and said she would not recommend chemo if she felt it would not work. I have pet insurance, and did at that time as well.  The insurance is not that expensive and covered 80% of the costs. Zeke's comfort and well being is paramount to any emotions we humans feel. My prayers are with both of you. KOMO, please keep us informed.
I spent $6000. to buy more time with my dog. It got me about 6 to 8 more weeks and a lot of pain for him from
surgery plus money I could not afford. We had hoped for a year. Still I am sorry to have put my dog through all that for my selfishness. We love our pets like family and I know it is a hard choice to make. I will not fault you on your choice. Bless Zeke and enjoy him!
I am so very sorry to hear of Zeke's illness. I am a dog lover and, although I don't own a dog now, have owned one most of my life.
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But, ma'am, I have to ask an honest question here. Chemotherapy is debilitating, painful and difficult to recover from. No matter how positive the outcome, Zeke will never be the same again. So is spending $7000 to put Zeke through a year of hell just to give him another three of life really, really worth it? Isn't this a case where the kindest, most humane thing to do is to put Zeke down before the cancer takes him?
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Yes, I know how painful that is and I know that it'll break your heart, but that is part and parcel to being a dog owner. Being a pet owner is a process of joy and pain because our friends don't live as long as we do and we will lose them in time.
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I know you know this, but please let a fellow dog lover remind you that you're not only responsable for Zeke's life, you're responsable for his quality of life. Whatever you choose, I hope you and Zeke will always have the love you share.
 @svensson Wonderful reply!
Kat, I am so sorry to hear about Zeke. I will gladly do what I can to help. We love our animals as children, and cost of specialized care should not be a barometer on what we would do for our beloveds. Would parents opt not to treat their children after a certain dollar amount? I think not, as any animal lover knows. Your love for animals AND humans, as evidenced by your work to reunite families, is a huge indicator of your heart AND Love. Maybe now, those in our community will help YOU in your time of need. Good luck to all of you in your family.
I love my dogs more than I love most PEOPLE, but this is a tough call. That's a LOT of money for a dog that's going to die soon anyhow. Just like human cancers, chemo is not a guarantee of an "extension" of your time left here. Were it me, I'd just cherish the time I had left, spoil Zeke like he was a rich human, and let him go in style.......but that's just me.
 @Wolfen I agree.  Our 5 year old dog got bone cancer.  We did amputate the leg and she got a full year of quality time before we had to let her go.  We decided that the chemo did not offer good enough odds of significantly extending her life and after that surgery, she was terrified of the vet.  We couldn't put her through that kind of stress for the possibility of a few more months.
@Wolfen Same here, especially with lymphoma. It is a persistent disease. Our human friend was only in remission before it came back. He just had a stem cell transplant and there is still no guarantee. It might be best to love on the dog while you can, pray for a miracle, and keep his life peaceful and comfortable.
Dang it, meant to say he was in remission only a few months before recurrence, which is fairly common.