You may have heard that researchers are investigating the possibility that dogs might be able to detect early cancers in people, and warn them. A story appeared about a month ago in the Knight-Ridder papers:
After conducting more than 12,200 separate “dog/breath sample interactions,” researchers reported the dogs had an 88 percent accuracy rate in detecting breast cancer and a 99 percent accuracy rate in detecting lung cancer.
“For us, it’s about giving cancer patients hope and options,’’ said Nicholas Broffman, executive director of the foundation. “One way you give patients options is through early detection.”
There were a few surprises after the study was completed.
Two of the dogs that had been trained for the study spontaneously reacted to people on the street, and one of them may have saved the life of a dog trainer at a dog show.
“Our dog sat down at a dog show at a time when the dog was supposed to stand up,” said McCulloch. “That person went to her doctor and learned she had a melanoma.”
Maria Frianeza of Pinole owns the other dog, Kobi, and said he has gone up to people in a park or on the street and barked or lay down, as he did during the study. For now, Frianeza has chosen not to say anything to the people.
“We’re not sure how to handle it ethically yet,” she said, though she is sure of how she feels about Kobi’s participation in the Pine Street study.
“It’s a huge honor,” she said. “I just hope something great comes out of it.”
I first met Kobi when he was about eight weeks old. He was named for Kobe Bryant, pre-scandal: Maria told me “We’re huge Lakers fans.” They lived in a house along one of Zeke’s regular walk routes. Kobi was too boisterous back then for Zeke to really want to play with him, and later Zeke was off-put by Kobi’s enthusiastic and friendly barking. No matter: Becky and I always have enough pats to share.
On Thursday Zeke and I were walking about a block from Kobi’s house when Maria drove by and pulled over in tears. “I just wanted to let you know,” she said. “I can’t imagine how it must have been for him, because he had to know.”
Kobi died a week ago Friday, at age three, of cancer.
Oh, the poor thing.
“Good dog” indeed.
Bless his heart.
Poor Kobi. How very sad.
Chris, please tell Maria that many people she doesn’t know grieve for Kobi. I know the pain in her heart, as we lost our best boy Steve to cancer at the age of 5. He was the smartest Irish Wolfhound on the planet. Please let Maria know that in time the pain gets bearable and the wonderful work he did in his short time here on earth is something that enriched us all immeasurably.
I just ran into Maria on Zeke’s walk. She read this entry and your comments, was very touched by your sentiments, and asked me to thank you.