October is the American Humane Society Adopt-A-Dog-Month

On this exact week last year— the most loveable, energetic and favorite furry companion came into my life.


I officially went to the animal shelter as a reporter getting information for a story. However, I suddenly switched gears to adoption papers when I saw the litter of seven St.Bernard /bloodhounds pups.

Their huge floppy hound ears and their big brown eyes stole my heart install. Apparently they had been dropped off anonymously that morning at the shelters front door.

I remember wanting to take one of the puppies with me that afternoon. But, my puppy adopting shoppers compulsion was put on pause until the litter’s male pups could be neutered and the female pups could be spade.

The next morning the first item on my agenda was picking out my puppy from the sleepy St.Bernard/bloodhound litter.

This one pup stood out from the rest of his siblings. He was the only one out of the litter that had a distinguished white marking down his face. As he got up and came near to lick my fingers I knew that he was my puppy.

I named him Hank.

That week I adopted Hank it happen to be the third annual Tennessee Week for the Animals. When I got back to work my editor approved my adoption story idea and ran an adorable picture my newest family member on the front page of the paper.

The animal shelter said after the story in the paper about Hank all his siblings were adopted that week.

Even after all the pairs of shoes he has destroyed, constant drooling and his bad manners at times I couldn’t imagine him not being in my life.

October is the American Humane Society Adopt-A-Dog-Month. Visit the local shelter and find your furry best friend.

 
Published in The Eagle Post Oct. 17, 2008,  By Melanie George

The faces of hope

 Cancer survivors Melanie George (left) and Ashley Rhodes

attended last summer’s Relay For Life event held in Memphis.

The annual event benefits the American Cancer Society. 

The three most devastating words ever spoken to me: “You have cancer.”

Just as my mind began to comprehend the thought of having cancer – I felt my soul leap out of my body.

When I felt my soul return, it was not the same. My soul had returned heavy and full of dismay with a dull outlook for my future.

I left the doctor’s office that May afternoon so discomposed emotionally that I forgot to ask the surgeon what kind of cancer I had.

The tumor was discovered by surgeons at Vanderbilt University Hospital during an emergency appendectomy on Mother’s Day weekend 2008.

The tumor was located in my appendix and ascending colon and was malignant. Pathology reports confirmed that I had colon cancer, and that I needed another surgery to remove the rest of the tumor. During the second surgery at Vanderbilt they removed 30 percent of my colon.

According to The American Cancer Society, the chance of a woman in her mid-20s developing colon cancer is .01 percent. It’s ironic, but I think my chances were much higher to win the lottery than being diagnosed with cancer.
                                                                 
It’s been nearly two years since that diagnosis, and it’s been a rough and a blessed ride.

Some of the tougher issues have been recovering from cancer physically and being $15,000 in medical debt. Even though I had “good insurance,” health care is still expensive and cancer is anything but cheap.

I believe that the Lord has blessed me with wonderful caretakers (my parents), a supporting sister, a best friend who always came and sat with me at the hospital and caring college friends who were always there for me.

The absolute worst thing about being diagnosed with cancer is frequently hearing that someone battling the disease lost their life during the evening newscast.

My cancer is in remission. Dr. Pallera at West Clinic says that there is only a five percent chance that the colon cancer could come back. But if it does, I am prepared to fight it. My inspiration is the lion from the “Wizard of Oz.” Just like the lion, I am prepared to fight, maybe even with one hand tied behind my back.

These days I am in graduate school at the University of Memphis studying publishing.

Tuesday I will be speaking to Relay for Life team captains at 6:30 p.m. at Collierville Baptist Hospital in the conference room. I encourage anyone and everyone to please come out – to help make a difference in the fight against cancer.