Bullet's Story

In 1992, I adopted an 18-month-old Siberian Husky called Max at the local SPCA. Anyone who has ever lived with a Siberian will tell you that they are more than a bundle of trouble. Willful and ornery, smart and demanding and his primary objective in life is to escape and run free. The name Max didn't fit the dog, but what name would fit him better? In the weeks following the adoption, Max’s first (of many) series of escapes earned him the name Bullet (as in faster than a speeding…). Later, he would be known as the Magic Bullet.

In July 2000, at 9 years old, Bullet was diagnosed with canine lymphoma, an aggressive, systemic and malignant cancer also called lymphosarcoma. This cancer is parallel to the human disease called Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The life expectancy for dogs with this disease is about one month without chemotherapy and a year to 18 months with chemotherapy. Bullet underwent an aggressive course of chemotherapy and was one of a very small percentage of dogs to survive this disease. Was Bullet’s lymphoma survival enough for him earn the nickname, “The Magic Bullet”?

After a 4-year and 4-month remission from lymphoma, a 2-year survival with a deadly heart condition and 5 congestive heart failure episodes, I think you’ll agree that this dog earned the title “Magic Bullet”!

On November 20. 2004, the Magic Bullet suffered acute renal failure and passed to the Rainbow Bridge.

I wrote the book “Help Your Dog Fight Cancer” to help others who have a dog with cancer and to share the story of Bullet’s odyssey. Bullet’s story has become an inspiration to all dog lovers.

Bullet was one shining moment that graced my life for 12 years, 2 months and a day. Bullet’s legacy is the Magic Bullet Fund, providing financial assistance to people who have dogs with cancer but can’t afford treatment costs. As of September 2011, MBF has helped 150 beautiful dogs through treatment. 

It has been years since my boy Bullet went to the Rainbow Bridge, though it seems like just yesterday that I had him in my arms. Bullet is my guardian angel, my inspiration and my hero. Every day I whisper to him, "My sweet precious boy, I'm still holding you."

Click to see "I'm Still Holding You,"  a Tribute to Bullet, on YouTube