Malignant cancers crash across all the lines of goodness, fairness, faith, love, 'quality of life' and ultimately life itself. Apollo's journey through malignant cancer, hand in paw, is the poignant story of a loving owner, dog and their battle to achieve quality of life for both of them. Apollo speaks through the eyes and emotions of his loving companion as she passionately describes her compelling drive and urgency to help them both, unconditionally. As it turns out, Apollo's creed of life becomes focused upon both his and her 'quality of life.' With unspoken determination 'he' becomes the teacher 'teaching' that cancer is not about dying but learning to live the best life possible. Apollo 'teaches' that the 'will to live' is a powerful force. At the same time the dynamics of bonding and spiritual attachment become powerfully defined. The patient and the caretakers work feverishly to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of disease and the properties of healing: mentally and physically. Loud and clear, from compassionate touches to the pursuit of learning, the patient and his devoted owner experience a deepening and ever widening bond of love and compassion.
~H.C. (Doc) Gurney, D.V.M.