When it comes to cancer treatment, it’s not about what things cost. It’s about maximizing quality of life and preparing for the inevitable.

I have cancer.

I acknowledge the fact that it will take me someday. But this is by no means an excuse for complacency. And it is no reason to be sad. Au contraire, mon chien. It is a fact of life, and death. And it calls for celebration of every beautiful day.

As the alcoholics say, acknowledgement is the first step. But it is the most important one. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. It can wreck havoc on human emotions.

The recent discussion thread about when to say when in the Tripawd forums really got me thinking about how much people hurt when they lose their beloved furry friends.

It also showed me what great support people can have for others in need.

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My friend, Ted Schneck, author of “Curing Canine Cancer,” has announced that he’s going to pedal his way across the U.S. to raise money for people who can’t afford to pay for their dog’s cancer treatments:

This summer I’ll be riding my bicycle across America - Pacific to Atlantic - 4,281 miles over 82 days - to promote dog cancer awareness and raise money that will be donated to 3 wonderful charities that help dog owners pay for dog cancer care they couldn’t otherwise afford. I’ll be leaving on May 25th from the Oregon Coast (right toe in the Pacific) - and won’t stop until I dip my left toe in the Atlantic on August 14th, 2008.

This Dog Cancer Ride Across America supports 3 wonderful dog cancer charities - “Canine Cancer Awareness”, “The Magic Bullet Fund” and the newly formed “Marty Miracle Fund” - which was formed to honor my own dog Marty, and help other dogs get the same miracle of life he got through the natural remedies we used to care for his cancer. All tax-deductible donations to the Dog Cancer Ride Across America will be managed by “Giving Globally” 501(c)(3) (an Oregon based 501(c)(3) non-profit) to ensure that these donations get to the dogs who need it most.

What a fantastic thing you are doing, Ted! Thank you for taking on this amazing and adventurous endeavor.

To learn how you can help support this important project, please visit his website, Dog Cancer Ride.com