Bundy is “my boy’s hero”

Here is another article, this time in “That’s Life’ magazine, about the inspiring story of how a dog needing a home became a little boy’s best friend and helped him recover his health and happiness..!

Article from: That’s Life Magazine

How Bundy’s My Boy’s Hero

Mariane shares her inspiring story of how a hound needing a home became a little boy’s best friend.

With his wispy white hair and pink floppy tongue, the Alaskan malamute was adorable. My heart melted as I realised the pooch was looking for a new family. Please help Bunday find a home, my friend Justin had written on Facebook. He loves being around people and is a very loyal dog.

I could just imagine the joy he would bring to my boys, James, 12, and Mikey, nine. The truth was, our family really needed a reason to smile. After what Mikey had endured, I knew Bundy was the ray of hope he deserved.

When Mikey got a virus in May last year, I assumed it was just a bug he’d picked up at school. He soon got better so my husband Pete,44 and I didn’t think much of it. But a few weeks later he started getting headaches and nosebleeds.

Concerned, I took him to the GP. “It’s probably nothing to worry about, but we’ll do a blood test just in case,” the doctor reassured us.

When I went back the next day to get the results, I wasn’t prepared for the terrifying news I received. “Mikey has leukaemia,” the doctor told me.

It felt like all the air had been sucked out of my lungs as he told me to take my boy to the hospital immediately. Mikey was admitted for more tests and the next morning we had confirmation that he had T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare form of cancer.

Breaking the news to our little boy was incredibly tough, but Pete and I decided to be as honest as we could.

“You have cancer,” I told him gently. “But doctors are going to do their very best to make you better.”

Mikey began treatment and my heart broke as his thick, curly locks started falling out. He wanted to be outside with his friends but he never complained, battling on as best he could. James was a great support to his little brother, spending hours by his bedside.

Mikey took it all in his stride and started collecting ‘bravery beads’ after every test, scan or needle he had to have.

Thankfully doctors told us Mikey was responding positively to the treatment. But two months later, he became unsteady on his feet. Even when we were on flat surfaces, Mikey tripped and stumbled. That’s when we got more bad news.

“Mikey has vincristine neuropathy,” the doctor said, explaining that it was a side effect of chemotherapy.

It meant that the nerve endings in his legs were shortening. We were warned Mikey would soon need casts on his legs and might lose his ability to walk.

I couldn’t bear to think of our brave hoy confined to a wheelchair. He loved nothing more than running around with his mater.

That same week, we were still coming to grips with the awful news when Pete spooted Justin’s post on Facebook.

Justin owned Jordan Dog Training services and had been coaching Bundy because his owners were struggling with his behaviour. After transforming Bundy into an obedient and lovable dog, he needed to be rehomed – or face being put down.

Bundy’s plight tugged at my heartstrings and he was the spitting image of our Samoyed who’d passed away a few years earlier.

Not wanting to rush into things, we agreed to a trial with Bundy to make sure we were the right family for him.

The moment Bundy bounded through the door, Mikey’s face lit up. “Hi boy,” he smiled, stroking the fluffy coat. It was great for him to have a distraction from the treatment.

Bundy had boundless energy and loved going for walks or running around the dog park.

I worried Mikey might not be able to keep up, but soon something amazing happened. Mikey was so keen to spend time with Bundy that he mustered all his strength to take him for walks around the block with us.

Within weeks, Mikey was walking up to four kilometres with his four-legged friend and was more steady on his feet. It was as if Bundy was spurring him on.

Even the physiotherapist was amazed by his progress. Ït looks like he won’t need the casts after all,” she told us. Thrmonthsnth on, Mikey is doing incredibly well. He’ll still need treatment for the next two year, but his hair is growing back, he’s gained weight and has more energy than ever.

Mikey still has a long way to go, but with Bundy by his side, there’s nothing he can’t achieve.

As told to Stacey Hicks.

See also our blog post the healing power of a dog and more press coverage and even the interview on Sunrise TV!