Hoping to Make My Big Brother Proud
Hi guys! My name is Reser. I’m a 9-month-old Golden Retriever living in Portland, Oregon.
When I came home with my family as a fluffy little nugget, my big brother and fellow Golden, Parker, taught me a lot of interesting things. He told me about life before I was born and about his sister and best friend, Daisy. He told me that she got really sick when she was 9 years old and had to go to a place called the Rainbow Bridge. It was all because of something called cancer.
Parker said cancer is a bad thing people and dogs develop, and 60 percent (that’s more than half!) of Golden Retrievers, like us, die from cancer. He also taught me about Morris Animal Foundation and that they are studying 3,000 Golden Retrievers all over the country! The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study will help scientists and veterinarians better understand cancer and other health-related issues in Golden Retrievers and other dogs. It could even provide insight into cancer in people!
Parker told me that when I was old enough, I could join in the study if I wanted to. I waited four long months to turn 6 months old, when I was old enough to enroll. That’s a long time in puppy months/dog years. Now I am 9 months old. My job in the study is to live a normal, happy life and once a year, I go to my veterinarian who takes samples like hair, urine, and toenails from me. But it’s not bad! It tickles a little, and I get lots of lovin’ from lots of people. Best of all, I get to say that I’m helping to create a brighter, healthier future for dogs everywhere.
To learn more about Morris Animal Foundation and our other programs please visit morrisanimalfoundation.org.