Clancy
Photo by Bill Gorgas
The following story was sent to us by Orvis customer Bill Gorgas. It’s a beautiful example of how dogs touch our lives and inspire us to do great things. Here’s Bill’s story:
It all began during Easter weekend in 2014. My wife, Barbara, casually mentioned a story in the local newspaper about two Golden Retrievers, Chase, age 11 and Clancy, age 8, who needed a new home. They belonged to the Monsignor of the local church who was moving to a nursing home and couldn’t take the dogs with him. Since Chase and Clancy were brothers and had always lived together, they also had to be adopted together. Soon after, we officially became their new adoptive parents.
Although Barbara and I both grew up with dogs, this was a first during our 22 years of married life. Chase and Clancy had a profound and immediate impact on our lives. They soon became the center of our universe. The bond we formed was instant and truly very special.
Unfortunately, our time with Clancy was limited. On June 9, 2015, we lost him to cancer. His death was sudden, unexpected and devastating. The cancer, known as Hemangiosarcoma, is an aggressive type of cancer that originates in the liver and spleen. As in Clancy’s situation, the tumor ruptures, leading to severe hemorrhaging and rapid death.
As a tribute to Clancy’s memory and the incredible gift he gave us, we founded ClancysCure in partnership with the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Cornell is a leader in cancer research and 100% of all funds raised will be used to establish an endowment that will forever support the fight against this dreadful disease.
Sadly, we just learned from Bill that Clancy’s brother, Chase, was recently diagnosed with a splenic mass, thought to be the same type of cancer that claimed Clancy’s life.
Bill and Barbara Gorgas have taken their grief and turned it into hope and promise. It’s people like them that make the world a better place. We wish them and Chase the very best. They deserve it.
Barbara, Clancy, Chase & Bill
Photo by Greenwich Times
God bless you for your compassion and generosity! We lost our beloved, Sophie in 2013, six weeks short of her 10th birthday to Hemangiosarcoma. Because of the devastation of losing her, when our veterinarian told us of the Morris Animal Foundation’s “Golden Retriever Lifetime Cancer Study”, we immediately signed up our “boy”, Casey. He is one of 3000 Goldens that MAF will follow throughout their lives, trying to find a cure and a reason Goldens are so prone to cancers. I am so sorry for your loss!!
Thank you so much for your kind words. Clancy truly was our gift and his loss has left a major void in our lives. I asked why he was taken from our lives. My wife responded by saying that perhaps we should ask why he was given to us. I now think the answer lies in ClancysCure. Hopefully the funds raised will make a difference in the fight against this devastating disease. Please share our website with anyone who you think might share in our cause. I too am truly sorry for your loss as well.