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Veterinary Cancer Society
Worldwide Association for Professionals in Veterinary Oncology
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Memorials and Tributes

Kory

Kory's Final Story

By Kendell Youngs-Wentzel

This story is about letting go of someone I loved.

Sunday was a somber day at our house. With that day came the realization that I would never again see Kory dance at my feet as I entered the front door, or dash ahead of me after our stroll around the pond. Kory was dying of cancer. I can sense from the soft expression in his round eyes, that now he too knows something is wrong.

This death by cancer is slow and deliberate, and suddenly there is a new empathy for anyone who has lost a relative to cancer. Perhaps I should feel gratified that I can end Kory's suffering, and he won't linger in extended misery, as humans do. Each day I visualize the moment when I will make that final decision, and say my goodbyes to an adored pet, who for 11 years has brought me so much love. Lord, I dread that last day, and know it is near. "Self pity!" I tell myself in futile attempts to lift my inner strength. However, once again emotion overrules logic, as the tears flow and my heart breaks...

I believe the body is a housing for our soul, and ultimately I knew what needed to be done. Parting with his fur and flesh after he passed on was not a difficult concept to grasp, especially with the glimmer of hope that his body could further our understanding of cancer. God, I hope they find some answers for this devil called cancer.

Good-bye Kory, my sweet love... I hope you are there to dance at my feet, as I enter the door of my afterlife...

Kory James Wentzel died on November 11, 1998. His body was given to Purdue University in West Lafeyette, Indiana to further cancer research. An estimated 40% of dogs die from cancer.

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Pets Honored with Memorial Donations in the Spring Quarter 2010

Honoring these beloved pets who have touched our lives. The Veterinary Cancer Society is devoted to improving the treatment of cancer in small animals. (In group listings, the donor is the first name in the group.)

Acknowledging a Gift of $3,000 from Matthew Frank
In honor of my dear friends at CSU

Acknowledging a Gift of $3,000 from Matthew Frank
In honor of Nicola Mason, DVM, PhD from the University of
Pennsylvania and Dr. Larry Steinman of Stanford University,
Chair of Immunology IDP.


Donor: Cheryl L Harris, DVM
Veterinary Oncology

In Memory of Scooby
Family: John T. Pohlman

In Memory of Roxie
Family: Risk and Sharon Brian

In Memory of Tessa
Family: Norman Jackson

In Memory of Caesar
Family: Robert Burns

In Memory of Snowball
Family: Hannah Schmidtgesling

In Memory of Gracie
Family: Penny Lindner

In Memory of Shane
Family: Jana Lange

In Memory of Cammy
Family: Lora Still

In Memory of Mea
Family: Kristina Maxwell

In Memory of Tuffy
Family: Darlene Grubb

In Memory of Roxy
Family: Hannah Armstrong

In Memory of Chloe
Family: David Felts and Benjamin Tice

In Memory of Sweetie
Family: Jay Jalovec

In Memory of Maggie
Family: Tom and Judy Schwab

In Memory of Bert
Family: Carol Fabby

In Memory of Maggie
Family: Mike Nolan

In Memory of Savannah
Family: Don and Barbara Hertzog

In Memory of Ozzie
Family: Troy and Kristy Mansfield

In Memory of Sunny
Family: Letha Chastain

In Memory of Nathan
Family: Linda Davis

In Memory of Allie
Family: Patty Boylan

In Memory of Alex
Family: Channon House-Longman

In Memory of Connor
Family: Joan Verax

In Memory of Maggie
Family: Kristina Radke

In Memory of Oscar
Family: Martin Dugan

In Memory of Webster
Family: Josh and Patty Katz

In Memory of Donner
Family: Sue Guntzelman

In Memory of Yoda
Family: Charlene Rathel

In Memory of Nellie
Family: Gordon and Lisa Burson

In Memory of Shamus
Family: Katie Sheehan

In Memory of Casey
Family: Ania Eisthen

In Memory of Lexi
Family: Ron and Lori Garland

In Memory of Duke
Family: Kevin Denton

In Memory of Abigail
Family: Kathy Erwin

In Memory of Paco
Family: Lindsay Wilt

In Memory of Emely
Family: Todd Gates

In Memory of Sammy
Family: Sandra Lemons

In Memory of Lucky
Family: Erin Shaffer

In Memory of Rocco
Family: Jack and Debbie Wettig

In Memory of Shiloh
Family: Lynn Scarborough

In Memory of Rodney
Family: Stan Szelest


Donor: Dr. Andy Abbo
Carolina Veterinary Specialists

In Memory of Bear
Family: Adam and Sarah Krieger

In Memory of Zoe
Family: Kim Miller


Donor: Dr. Kimberly Freeman

In Memory of Picchu
Family: Pat and Lloyd Meeks

In Memory of Elsie
Family: Jim and Susan Barlow

In Memory of Rocky
Family: Debra Hitchrick

In Memory of Zoie
Family: Catherine Schalk

In Memory of Pearl
Family: Rebecca and Emory Richardson


Donor: Dr. Karri Meleo
Animal Care Specialists

In Memory of Kuro Ishizai
Family: Kazutaka and Andy Ishizaki

In Memory of Lou
Family: Anne and Stan Friedlander

In Memory of Cedar Long
Family: Cindy Long and Carl Schuler

Donor: Dr. Ron Kipnis
Lombard Animal Clinic PC

In Memory of Jake
Family: Joe and Anne Petraitis

In Memory of White Shoes
Family: Toni Marrella

Donor: Elsa Beck, DVM
The Hope Center Oncology Department

In Memory of Bremen Granzow
Family: The Granzow Family

Donor: Stacey and Rachel Oellinger

In Memory of Miss Holly Rose
Family: Mrs. Kandace Van Gorder

Donor: Kimberly Freeman, DVM

In Memory of Beethoven
Family: Kali Miller

Donor: Tara Nelson-Gay

In Memory of Our beloved basset hound, Phoebe
Family: Tara Nealon-Gay

Donor: Cheryl L. Cannon

In Memory of Melissa
Family: Laura and Ken Golonka

Donor: Holland's Veterinary Referral Hospital

In Memory of Peyton
Family: Dr. Mollyann Holland

Donor: Jenny Schwartz

In Memory of Browsers
Family: Merrie Beth Schwad