This issue’s Spotlight shines on a very special young dog who has overcome so much, including being a rescue dog and battling cancer. Aspen, a rescue Australian Shepherd, was diagnosed with GI Lymphoma in late 2021, but thanks to great medical care and the love of her owner, Jan Flatten, she is fighting back and enjoying an agility career!
Call name: Aspen
Registered name: Aussie Rescue’s Aspenglow AJP OAP NFP ACT2 ACT2J SWA SCM SIM SEM SHDA RATS CZ8B TKI
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Age: 4 years
Owner: Jan & Brad Flatten
City/State: Cashmere, WA
League team name and division: Q Seekers, Limited Senior
What type of cancer does Aspen have & how was she diagnosed?
GI Lymphoma. In August 2021, Aspen was at scent work class and started refusing treats (never happened before). After crating her and running my other dogs, I got her out again and noticed she had thrown up. We went home, and she refused dinner so the next morning we took her to our vet suspecting a foreign blockage. Radiographs, ultrasound and a fine needle aspirate confirmed lymphoma.
Photo Credit: Nina Sage
What treatments has she undergone and how is she doing?
Because her condition was so dire (the vet was worried about us taking her home that night because she was concerned her intestines would perforate), we initially treated her with just prednisone and were preparing to say goodbye that week. However, she bounced back immediately with prednisone so we got her into an oncologist the next week, and she started chemotherapy: CCNU (lomustine – although CHOP is the gold standard for lymphoma, Aspen is an MDR1 mutant and two of the drugs in CHOP might be fatal to her). Ultrasound at her 6-week check and at the end of chemo confirmed full remission. She stayed in remission for 11 months at which time a wellness ultrasound found it had returned. She finished her second full CCNU protocol on Feb. 2 and had an ultrasound that showed she was again in remission. She’s done great throughout treatment with hardly any side effects. She’s happy and playful and lives for Frisbee!
How did you find Aspen and come to adopt her?
I am the Washington State and British Columbia Representative for Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline (ARPH). Aspen was picked up as a stray in Lockhart, TX, in 2019. Aussie Rescue’s Texas chapter found her at the shelter and rescued her after I agreed to have her flown up here (many of our Pacific Northwest Aussies are from Texas since they do not have enough foster homes to rescue all the purebreds in shelters there, and we don’t get that many local ones up here.) However, her designated foster mom was diagnosed with leukemia the week Aspen was flying up. My husband and I fostered her instead, and, after not being able to place her for five months, we decided to adopt her.
How did she get involved in agility training & what has she been like to train and compete with?
Aspen followed her sisters and brother, all Aussies, in agility. Since I’m an agility instructor at Wenatchee Kennel Club and have trained three agility dogs, plus Aspen is so smart, she was a dream to train. She picked up weaves in just a few sessions. But she’s never had great drive, possibly because she has been sick all along. We went to a few agility trials before she was diagnosed and earned her Novice titles in Standard, JWW and FAST, but stopped for almost a year during her first chemo protocol. But she did continue with classes. Last September, we started trialing again, and she earned her Open Standard and JWW titles, then, just a couple weeks ago, her Excellent JWW title. She is rock solid at classes, but very environmentally sensitive (especially with barking dogs) so trials are still hit or miss.
Photo Credit: Katherine March
How does agility help her?
Aspen was reactive to both humans and dogs when she arrived here. After working on that, she began foundation classes at our club, then started agility and scent work, both of which have helped her understand she is safe. She is terrific with humans now and fine with other dogs as long as they don’t get too close to her or her crate. There is no question that being around dogs and people at classes and trials has helped her overcome her fears. When I’m getting ready to go out the door, she’s always there, whether it has been for hiking, classes or trials. “Don’t leave me behind” is her motto!
What do you like best about being on a League team?
Because of Aspen’s environmental sensitivity, being able to compete locally in an environment where she feels safe and secure is wonderful. It’s also really fun to compete and judge with friends I have known for a long time.