Trace's Story
Our first request to help a working dog in need of care was Trace's story shown below.
Trace, a 6-year-old Yellow Lab 6/10
A letter from Trace's partner, Dan Fanning
June 10, 2010
My name is Dan Fanning and I am a 28-year member of the Larimer County Search and Rescue Team in Fort Collins, Colorado. I am also a 13-year member of Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado. I currently have a wilderness search-and-rescue dog, Trace, and he has some medical needs.
Trace is only 6 years old and was diagnosed with lymphoma about one year ago. He has received treatment and has been in remission. He seems to feel fine and can continue to field in searches as long as he gets his chemo treatments about every 4-5 weeks. My problem is the cost. I need to spend almost $500 for each treatment.
I retired my first search dog, Bear, two years ago about the time that Trace became certified. I was hoping for him to have a long working life. I am hoping that your new foundation might be able to help me towards this goal.
Thanks,
Dan Fannning and Trace, Colorado
July 6, 2010
Dear Diane, et al,
Today Trace had his vet visit with Dr. Miller and I was delighted to learn that you were helping with his expenses to the tune of $250.
You don’t know how I appreciate the fact that there people out there who recognize the commitment Trace and I have made to helping people and they have taken the steps to help keep our work, our dreams, going. After 9/11 I investigated a few online groups that claimed to be there for search dogs but did not find any that I felt were genuine. I now know that the Sage Foundation is something special. As a volunteer with two 501c3’s I know what is involved with being a non-profit and going out to get support and donations. I am treasurer for both Larimer County Search and Rescue and Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado. I truly know what $250 can represent in terms of fundraising effort. I am humbled. I applaud you. Thank you!!
I would love to do whatever would help your foundation continue to help search dogs. Can I provide pictures of Trace and his vets? I will gladly feed you any other appropriate images I may have. Would it help to share
Sage’s or Trace’s story in our newsletter and on our websites?
Now that you have helped us, what can we do to help you?
Thank you,
Dan and Trace
Unfortunately all stories don't have the ending we all would like. In late 2110 the Sage Foundation received the e mail below from Dan. The Sage Foundation had donated $1,000.00 towards Trace's cancer treatments. We know he is greatly missed by his family and his SAR team. We send our condolences to Dan and his family.
Diane Whetsel
From Dan:
This morning we had to say goodbye to Trace.
He was too stubborn to let lymphoma beat him, but something else did. We're
not sure what was wrong but he was in intense pain for about 5 days. About
all that we could do was control the pain, and had the source of it become
clear it is unlikely we could take care of it due to his lymphoma, even
though he was still in remission. Most dogs with lymphoma only get about 9
months, but Trace got over 18. My thanks go out to all who provided care,
and caring and support to Trace and me during this process.
I'll always remember his beautiful face and his goofy approach to life. He
was always his own person, and insisted on doing things his way. It never
failed to make me chuckle to myself when he would take off on an alert. He
brought a lot of smiles to folks in his 6 short years. Trace's mission is
over and he is at peace.
Dan Fanning