Wise Hero “Gander:Service Dog” on Hospice with cancer
UPDATE 5-15-20:
Lon Hodge, Gander’s dad:
Thank you. We’re not quite to hospice level yet but I do believe it’s in evitable. The tumor is in operable and they don’t believe that radiation won’t do much good as it is already metastasized to the lungs. In the lungs grow weaker every day. Hopefully we can find some procedures that will not affect his quality of life negatively and prolong his days on earth a little bit more so that we can give him the kind of send off he’s so much deserves.
He (Victor) did a good job on the video I appreciate your efforts and your sentiments.
G has created a legacy that will live on far beyond his mortal ties
I’m not ready to think about another dog. A lot of people […] have asked that, the answer has been quite simple: there is no other dog like gander. And that’s not because he was mine. That’s not because we have a special bond. That’s because anyone who is ever met him has been changed by him in someway. If guardian angels exist he truly is one. He has saved countless people from depression, suicide, disease, and more.
Stacey did do a wonderful job (video made in 2018). She fell in love with Gander. As does pretty much anyone who meets him.
We have a meeting with [the oncologist] in the morning and I know the newest will not be good. But I hold out hope that we can do something to help him. I will not take his life. I will do everything I can to ensure that he does not pass away inside the kennel in some medical facility. I promised him long ago he would not be confined again.
I think you could write Diane melon and talk to her about the film. She may well amenable to releasing it.
Stay in touch. Thank you again. I’m going to try and get some much-needed sleep tonight.
PRAY FOR: Gander:Service Dog, 10 yo. Cancer. Lord Jesus You know the battle Gander’s body has suffered with systemic fungal infection for years. You know his battle for life, for his life and for the lives of the many he has touched in his heroic life. You have made his life count for so many in pain, we ask that You would give him and his dad Lon the best possible days to come. Give dad Lon strength and wisdom as he ministers healing to his boy. Prepare them for the days ahead. Thank You for the tremendous support network they have across the US. We ask that every life he has touched will now come to his aid. Bless this duo with every blessing from heaven. Give them the peace that only comes from You. In the Name of Adonai Rohi. God our Shepherd. Amen. <3 Caren
Judi Rogers
Thu, May 7, 12:41 PM (3 days ago)
to me
I am close friends with Lon Gander his owner. Gander’s Foundation is Operation Fetch or Gander:Service Dog.
Gander is approximately 10 years old. Lon got him from Colorado where Gander was rescued from a shelter and placed into service dog training in a prison by Freedom Service Dogs. In 2014 he won the American Humane Society Service Dog of the Year. He and Lon live in the Chicago area and provide survival supplies to homeless vets all over the Midwest through their 501C3 nonprofit Operation Fetch. His Facebook page is Gander:Service Dog. I invite you look at their page. He has 200,000 followers worldwide and is a beloved friend to many of us who have spent time with them as close friends. He was diagnosed with blastomycosis a few years ago and nearly died. He now has a lung condition which could be lethal. 
He is being transferred today to the vet school at University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana for definitive diagnosis and treatment. Gander is a PTSD service dog for Lon Hodge, a Vietnam Nam vet who directs all his time and personal funds to educate people on service dogs and supporting homeless veterans. Please consider placing him on your page. He is an extraordinary dog who could use our prayers. Thank you.
Judi Rogers
Judi Rogers jjrdxxxxxx [at] icloud [dot] com
Judi,
Thank you for emailing me I’m praying for Gander. Please tell me what your relationship to him is. If I am to post him for prayer on the website I would need some more specific information. I also generally refuse to post for someone who is not an immediate relative the person who owns the pet. Please let me know Judy if you are able to answer specific questions such as:
How old is he?
Who is his owner/handler? What is your relationship to that person?
What is the name of his foundation? Where do they live?
I will be watching for your answers. I prefer to be able to message in real time in a situation like this. Please message me on FB https://www.facebook.com/pg/PrayersforPets1/ 💗🙏 Caren
PrayersforPets1.Org
Facebook Conversation
Judi Rogers
On Wed, May 6, 2020, 5:59 PM Judi Rogers jjrdoglover [at] icloud [dot] com wrote:
Here is a screenshot of who Gander is and his story. I respectfully ask for prayers as he is being transferred to another animal hospital for more advanced care. I include his picture with his story and humbly ask for prayers for this very special dog…..
Prayers for Pets
Wow, thank you so much Judi for contacting me on Facebook, I find it a lot easier to put together a post true messages than through email. Thank you too for all of this excellent information. I would like to put a post together for Gander, he looks to be a true hero and I would like to get as much prayer for him as I possibly can.
Do you know Jesus Christ and have you accepted his sacrifice on your behalf? I know that’s a difficult question but I want to know how I can best help encourage you. It’s helpful for me to understand people’s worldview 💗🙏Caren
Judi Rogers
Yes and I am a pastoral counselor, Masters from Liberty University Seminary. I am quite busy at my church when we are not on pandemic mode. I lead a small group and teach Sunday School. I could not make it every day without the love of a Savior who will not let me go!!
Easy question by the way!😊
Prayers for Pets
God bless you Judi! I am delighted to meet you. I plan to post Gander in the morning. Could you please explain how Lon Gander is the owner of Lon Hodges dog? I’m thinking probably one or the other is a typo
Lol yes when you’re a friend of God it’s an easy question😁
Judi Rogers
Lon Hodge owns Gander the dog
Check out his Facebook page!!
Prayers for Pets
Okay I thought it was something like that
Judi Rogers
Waiting to hear today’s report from U of Illinois Vet School on G
Prayers for Pets
Yes the Facebook page is great. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of it but a lot of things Escape me when my nose is to the [grindstone] at prayersforpets
Ok. Is there anything else to update me on about his condition?
Judi Rogers
I get it. The supporters of Lon and Gander are very loyal
Prayers for Pets
For good reason apparently. I love that, and I love that you are standing in the gap for them
Judi Rogers
I am waiting to hear. This dog is the most intuitive special dog I have ever met and I have 8 of my own
Prayers for Pets
DETOX Bailey https://prayersforpets1.org/bailey-seems-depressed-uninterested-in-life-battling-valley-fever/ please send Lon this article when you’re able. We had a dog this past year with valley fever it took a very long time for her to improve but she is much better now. You can track her story by searching “Bailey” at the bottom of the home page on our website.
Judi Rogers
I will. Thank you
Prayers for Pets
[Gander:Service Dog] Wow that’s amazing! Gander has obviously earned his heroic status
Judi Rogers
This is Gander leaving where he was staying with his Godparents
in St Louis this morning
Gander and Lon live in a travel trailer
Prayers for Pets
Good. He does look a little worse for wear
Judi Rogers
He is an amazing friend and family member who we all adore!!
Prayers for Pets
Judi Rogers
Oxygen tube
Prayers for Pets
Poor baby..
Judi Rogers
Thank you for doing this. The power of prayer is immense
Three of mine
Prayers for Pets
BTW, my husband is a graduate of TEDS Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield Illinois. I edited him through school😂
Judi Rogers
Excellent!!
Prayers for Pets
Oh man that’s a lot to feed and you have eight?
Judi Rogers
Yes ma’am
Prayers for Pets
That’s a lot of dog food! Lol
Something tells me some of them are probably rescues
Judi Rogers
I volunteer with Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue
Two are rescues
Prayers for Pets
The power of prayer is the only Power any of us have!
How did I guess that? Lol
Judi Rogers
Healthy Gander a labradoodle
Prayers for Pets
You’re my hero. […] I wish I could have one. The last pet we had was a bunny whom we recently lost. We are in such a tiny place it’s not even practical to have a pet here. But God has given me a whole world full of other people’s pets🤗
Judi Rogers
That is sad about your bunny. But God always knows what is perfect for you so this is where you are meant to be
Prayers for Pets
I saw that he was a Labradoodle on his Facebook page I was wondering if he was a Briard. Kind of hard to tell. I like to know the breed because when I go to post a dog I post them on various groups to get the most amount of people praying.
Judi Rogers
He is on the ILoveMyLabradoodle site
Prayers for Pets
Yes God knows and I needed to have the experience of losing a soul pet. Socrates was a soul pet for me. We experienced a very tumultuous decade together.
That’s a new one to me I will have to find that is that a group or a page?
Judi Rogers
A group bu
Group
Prayers for Pets
I will definitely want to find that! Thanks. If you’re aware of any other Labradoodle groups I appreciate their names. I am a member of a bunch of Goldendoodle groups but I only have one Labradoodle group. Facebook is so limiting in the way they will allow you to search
Judi Rogers
This is him in LA when he won his big award
I have 2 Goldendoodles and belong to three of those groups
Prayers for Pets
Fantastic is that Lon?
Judi Rogers
Yes
Prayers for Pets
I will include that picture in the article for sure
How did you happen to find us Judi? Have you been with us for a while, or did you look for us because of Gander?
Judi Rogers
Looked for something and your page popped up
Prayers for Pets
The website? Or FB?
Judi Rogers
FB
Prayers for Pets
Ok, interesting. How did you happen to email instead of message? Was it because the story is so involved? I’m always surprised when people come to me first through email.
Judi Rogers
Me and Gander in Colorado
Prayers for Pets
Love it! Nice to meet you!
Judi Rogers
Went for a visit. We all watched the eclipse at Red Rocks Amphitheater together
Prayers for Pets
https://prayersforpets1.org/about-us/ I’m in here
Judi Rogers
Even Gander had special glasses
Prayers for Pets
Oh wow how cool is that? Who [was] there that night?
Judi Rogers
Just the people who saw it in 2017 it was a solar eclipse in the late morning
Total eclipse
Prayers for Pets
This video starts with one of our regulars who has a pair of eclipse glasses on
Pets and animals in Heaven https://youtu.be/v0gAPFR2QzI
Judi Rogers
Prayers for Pets
I remember it well. We were in Northern Nevada
Prayers for Pets
I’ve got to go sweetie. Wonderful getting to know you. Let me know by tomorrow morning at 6 PST tomorrow if you get any news on Gander. I will send you the link as soon as the post is ready to go. I’m delighted to meet such a special sister in Christ. Victor and I will pray for Gander tonight and I will continue to keep him in my prayers today 😍😎🤗💗🙏 Caren
Judi Rogers
Thank you. Two more pictures…at the eclipse and doing what Gander does best…honoring vets
You can watch his movie on YouTube
Prayers for Pets
Pawsome, thx!
Prayers for Pets
This would take a little bit of time might not be able to have it out by tomorrow morning but I would like to use the Vimeo trailer that I found for Gander’s movie as the beginning of an explanation that my husband and I could put together as a video for Gander. You probably know that videos have a tendency to spread farther than static posts. I would do both for Gander, but the video would probably take a couple days to produce. Let me know if you think that’s okay or if he needs it sooner rather than later.
This is a video that I turned over to Victor to make on a story I had been following. Go to the 1:45 Mark and watch the piece on salvation at the end. I asked Victor to produce this section that we could add on to our videos as a tail end with YouTube especially in mind. This is the Facebook version let me know what you think. https://youtu.be/YaXdOFTMKG8
Prayers for Pets
Judi please let me know whether a short video would be okay to do. If it is I will wait to post Gander until the video is ready. Please let me know one way or the other either way is fine with me I just need to know before tomorrow morning to know how to proceed. I have another dog with an Urgent prayer request, but I promised you first. 💗🙏 Caren
Judi Rogers
Please proceed and do what you want with the video trailer. Gander seems stable tonight so if you have a more urgent request please take care of them. I will update you as soon as I get more info in the morning.
Judi Rogers
Prayers for Pets
Oh dear… what was the surgical procedure? I’m sorry if I missed it you did send me a lot of info
I will be praying for Lon, poor guy
Judi Rogers
No. I don’t know what they did but will let you know when I know
Nothing yet
Prayers for Pets
OK, I’m still praying for them
Latest update
Prayers for Pets
Thanks. Sounds dicey…
Judi Rogers
It is definitely a risky thing
May be the only way to get the right answers
Prayers for Pets
Yeah, sounds like it. Has he worked with a holistic Vet at all? Sometimes the medical Vets can be very helpful but sometimes they can make situations like this worse
Judi Rogers
Yes he has. This if blasto again must be treated with an anti fungal med or he won’t make it. If it is cancer, I would think the prognosis is very poor
Prayers for Pets
Ok, that’s good. Sometimes medical Drs Overkill when it comes to fungus and fail to support other systems in the body. I’m glad he has looked at it holistically. That’s the best you can do. If the body isn’t willing much it can be done. We will sure be praying for his spirit and his will to conform to God’s will.
Judi Rogers
He has cancer…need prayers more than ever
I am so sad for my friends
Prayers for Pets
Oh my, Judi. How very disappointing…
Judi Rogers
Prayers for Pets
It’s heartbreaking… we will change the video based on this. We have been working on it today. Please convey our deepest sympathies to Lon.
Judi Rogers
I will
Prayers for Pets
1 Peter 5: 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for Pets
I understand. What a kick in the gut… I bet you have. He couldn’t have a better friend for that purpose. We will of course be praying for heaven to break through to him right now. Lord Jesus, hear our prayers for Lon and Gander. By your [power] we ask for [all things to be made right] for this dear man. In the Name of Adonai Rohi, God our Shepherd. Amen.
Prayers for Pets
Judi, I’m praying for God to keep your arms raised as he did with Aaron and Hur for Moses in time of battle: Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Judi Rogers
Thank you. I am just devastated for my friends
Prayers for Pets
😢😢😢😢I know. We are doing our level best to do justice to their story through the lumps in our throats. I so wish we had known of y’all earlier, but God has given us a position that is unique and we are grateful for the privilege to share in your suffering. °°°sigh…
Judi Rogers
Thank you
Prayers for Pets
I feel like anything I say at this moment will sound trite and dismissive in the light of the immensity of this news for Lon. God’s Word speaks in ways we humans simply cannot. The apostle Peter evidences the tears you cannot see that we are shedding for you all tonight:
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Prayers for Pets
We have the privilege of sharing in Christ’s sufferings with you, Judi. I’m so grateful that you came to us and trusted us with this story. We are praying for God to do mighty things for Lon as a result. We are writing the story primarily for him.
Prayers for Pets
Have you heard from Lon this morning? Victor was up until 3 in the morning working on the video. He sent it to me but unfortunately it’s not ready yet.
Praying for you guys
Judi Rogers
Yes…they are on the road to Chicago this morning
Tell Victor thank you
Prayers for Pets
Ok, luv. Thanks.
We need your prayers to get this thing done. I’m giving you virtual hugs and praying that God will provide stronger ones
Prayers for Pets
Judi Rogers
Praying it is finished and hugs back to you
Prayers for Pets
It’s done we have both worked on it all day long and it’s uploading hopefully I can post it in the morning
More about Gander