JerseyGirlInOz

No doubt that they are being exposed to the same risk factors as humans, they live in the same environment we do. The problem I have with the correlation is the difference in biological systems between greys and humans. I've seen my boy eat things that would make me violently ill and I've eaten things that would kill him. Our systems are too different for me to be comfortable with statistics gathered from humans studies, applied to greys and the findings accepted at face value for truths. Especially not from an organization that stands to benefit (for the lack of a better word) from increased cancer findings. Comparing the digestive system of dogs vs. humans with bioaccumulation of toxins is comparing apples and oranges. If anything animals are more vulnerable to bioaccumulation and toxic overload simply due to the fact that they, for the most part, have a smaller body mass than humans. Here's a good article that explains toxins and their effect on pets in more detail: Toxins, Allergies and Your Pet And this is from the AVMA website: "Collectively, animals and people breathe the same air, drink the same water, and eat from the same source of plant and animal food products. Therefore, what affects the air and water for people, also affects the air and water of our pets, livestock, and diverse wildlife species. In addition, animals have a major influence upon the health of our ecosystems-urban, rural, and natural. This interdependence of all animal life creates a common interest in ecosystem health and preserving biodiversity between veterinarians and many other disciplines, including wildlife biologists, physicians, ecologists, environmental scientists, and several others. The complex nature of modern environmental problems demands effective team efforts by scientists from multiple disciplines in order to solve or prevent world environmental problems."

Tobacco is full of chemicals. Alcohol is often synthesized from chemicals, and often contains preservatives---which are chemicals. Processed foods are often made with GMO's, stripped of any natural nutrional value, then colored all pretty and made to last longer with preservatives---which are chemicals. When the body becomes overloaded with chemicals it functions less efficiently, which makes it all the more difficult for it to cope with all the environmental toxins (which, incidentally, are also chemicals). There are plenty of statistics to back this up---as a matter of fact, I'm hard pressed to find experts who DON'T believe that chemicals are a contributing factor on some level. But it seems as though you've already made up your mind to the contrary--and I admire your optimism. But for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the impact of chemicals on our heath and the health of our animals (domesticated and wild), here are some good places to start: Environmental Medicine, Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 by Walter J. Crinnon (scroll down to "The Environmental Medicine Series") The 100-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Toxic Overload by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton Stop The 21st Century Killing You by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton The Environmental Working Group The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Organic Consumers Association

:laughitup :laughitup I think I may have to reconsider the mad crush I have on him Excellent, we've started him on raw and his poops are coming out like little diamonds. Cool! "Butt Juice Jewels"! You may be onto something here!!!

Have you considered the fact that in the U.S. in 1900 the average lifespan was only 47 years and in 2000 it was averaged at 77 years? And that cancer incidence increases with age? I'd say that has an awful lot more to do with cancer rates in human populations than anything else. Food sources have actually become much safer since 1900. Cancer is a disease that often takes a long time to surface (lung cancer is a good example - smokers usually have to smoke for years before they are diagnosed) - if you die of something else first, then it never has an opportunity to develop. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_expectancy http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056796.htm Good point. Also, ACS studies humans. It's a big leap to apply human stats to animals. Additonally, ACS is in the cancer research business so doom and gloom is good for business. Lifespan may account for the rise in cancer in older people, but what about rise in cancer in children and adults under the age of 50? And the fact that cancer rates in developing nations are now equaling those in industrialized nations? Lifespan is hardly a factor in many of those countries. The link that references “safer food sources” only addresses the decline in nutritional deficiency diseases. So while food sources (as well as transportation and storage methods) are safer, this fails to address the advent of overprocessed foods that are full of artificial colors, synthetic preservatives and fillers that have little or no nutrional value at all. Foods such as these are being consumed in massive quantities by people AND by pets---and there are some pretty obvious health ramifications. Considering that our pets are being exposed to many of the same risk factors as humans--- exposure to hazardous chemicals, food colorings and preservatives, pollutants, pesticides and secondhand smoke; poor diet; obesity; inadequate exercise---I’d say it’s a pretty big leap to think that these factors have NO impact on the statistics of the health problems we are seeing in pets today---including cancer.

It's probably not happening at a greater rate, just that people are more attuned to the symptoms and there is more in the way of treatment. So you are hearing more about it. Back in the day, vets had less available to them for diagnosing ailments, so the options were limited with what you could do. I wish that was accurate, but it's simply not the case. The American Cancer Society estimates that cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today, and that by the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals. So, judging from the stats, cancer rates have risen exponentially since the dawn of the Industrial Age (and, in pets, since the introduction of commercial pet food). Cancer in dogs was fairly rare not so long ago; however, osteosarcoma and lymphoma (and more recently several other cancers) are becoming alarmingly more common. In the past 50 years more than 75,000 chemicals have been introduced into the environment---many of which have been insufficiently tested for safety (that is, if the were tested at all!) Synthetic chemicals, pesticides, food additives, colorings and preservatives, environmental pollutants, etc. are believed to be significant contributing factors in the increase of cancer in humans and animals alike---as well as many other "syndromes", asthma, allergies and illnesses. Similar to humans, there's been a huge industry built around processed dog food, health treatments, and 'snack foods' for our dogs--IMHO, it's no coincidence that there has also been an increase in cancer and developmental disorders in our pets as well.

I am so very sorry. Run free, sweet Ellie!

:rofl :rofl That was my first thought too

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Bonnie

I'm so very, very sorry for your all of losses.

I am so devastated for you DeVon, I just don't even know what to say. I was so clear how loved she was---not just by you but by all of us on GT. I can't imagine GT without the Fruitbat Run free, beautiful girl... And :grouphug :grouphug to you DeVon!

Wendy, I still can't get through this tribute without losing it. This just really, really sucks, and I am so very sorry for you and Kevin. Run free, beautiful boy....

What a beautiful girl. I'm sure she knew how loved she was.

I'm so sorry

Heather and Ken, I am always in awe of what big hearts you have, and how there always seems to be room for "one more". I've no doubt that Erin knew how very lucky she was to have had such a special family.

OMG, Jennifer, I am SO SORRY!!! I can't imagine what a shock this must be for you. "The Vowels" have become such a familiar sight to me that it feels like I've lost a friend

Kris, bless your heart for giving Alex the life he deserved. It's amazing how these beautiful creatures blossom and enrich our lives when given the opportunity. I'm sure he knew how lucky he was... as did you.