MARNE, Mich. -- A Siberian husky in Ottawa County is cancer free after receiving radiation treatments.
FOX 17 first told you about 8-year-old Sarge two years ago, when he was still receiving his treatment. His family is now celebrating that he’s been in remission ever since.
When we first spoke with Sarge's owner, Leisha Eppink, he was still receiving his 17 radiation treatments.
"After that he had a follow up CT scan to see that the radiation did its job, which was to shrink the tumor, and it did. And he's been symptom free ever since," said Eppink.
Eppink created a YouTube video to document his cancer treatment. Eppink was first alerted after Sarge suffered several nose bleeds. The cancer diagnosis followed. He received the expensive treatment from Michigan State University, which cost the family thousands of dollars. Money they were more than willing to spend.
"We maxed out two credit cards and accepted that as our responsibility not really knowing how we were going to pay off that debt," said Eppink.
Sarge even got his certificate from MSU, and the university calls him a miracle dog.
"Remission is cause for celebration and that's all it really comes down to whether it's pertaining to a pet or a person, that is something worth celebrating. When there is less cancer in this world, we will all be better off," said Eppink.
Sarge even has hundreds of fans on Facebook, checking in on his every move to get updates on his recovery.
Without any guarantee the treatment would work, Eppink is thankful that her best friend is once again living out his years as a healthy and loving companion.
"Sarge means the world to me. He has brought a smile to my face, everyday for the last 8 1/2 years. I don't think I could ever repay him," said Eppink.
Eppink hopes others are inspired to go to whatever means necessary to help loved ones, whether they are human or a pet.
