Jake, a furry canine, was discovered wandering the roads of Waco, Texas in the summer of last year. Texas A&M’s press release states that he had an enormous tumor in his salivary gland. Fortunately, some compassionate individuals were able to transform his life completely.
Long Way Home Adoptables, a rescue group in the area, took in a pitiful dog that was in dire need of help. The dog’s condition was so terrible that it left the rescue group members stunned. According to April Plemons, the founder and executive director of the organization, they had encountered some extreme medical cases that resulted from neglect or abuse before, but never had they seen a mass as enormous as what the dog had.
The canine was given the moniker “Jake from State Farm” in honor of the famous insurance spokesperson. The dog was taken in by a foster family and was immediately subjected to medical procedures to treat the tumor. The tumor was of considerable size and located in a troublesome spot, which led to a referral to the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. After conducting a CT scan, it was discovered that the tumor was an adenocarcinoma, which is a type of salivary gland tumor.
According to a press release by a VMBS assistant professor, Dr. Vanna Dickerson, while salivary gland disease is common, salivary gland cancer is not. In the case of Jake, the patient had a large tumor that obstructed his salivary ducts, causing saliva buildup. Unfortunately, due to the size and location of the tumor near vital organs, it is unlikely that he will be completely free of cancer. However, surgeons were able to remove most of the mass, which will improve his quality of life and potentially extend his lifespan by several years. Post-surgery photos show that Jake looks significantly better with the majority of the cancerous mass removed.
Dr. Dickerson expressed how satisfying it was to see the immediate improvement in Jake’s appearance after his surgery. Furthermore, Long Way Home Adoptables wasted no time in finding a permanent home for Jake, and he is now happily living with a caring family.
Josie Brown, a veterinary practice manager and Jake’s new owner, expressed her delight in a press release, stating that Jake is the best boy and is truly living his best life. Despite his tumor, Jake never seems to be in pain and enjoys being around people. Josie has been able to manage the tumor by draining the fluid on a weekly basis. Jake has adapted well to his new life and settled in quickly with his new family, as if he was always meant to be there. Josie expressed her gratitude towards Long Way Home Adoptables and Texas A&M for their assistance with Jake.
Jake’s story has a wonderful outcome, all thanks to the team of skilled surgeons and his caring new owner. His journey has captured the hearts of many and even caught the attention of the real-life “Jake from State Farm”, who offered to buy him some brand-new accessories. It’s amazing to see how much he has transformed after receiving treatment for his enormous tumor. Now, he can enjoy a happy life in his newfound loving home. A big thank you to everyone involved in saving his life!
Let’s all take a moment to marvel at the amazing things that people do for dogs in need. This heartwarming story is just one example of the incredible kindness and compassion that exist in our world. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be inspired!
