Last Summer with Oscar [Hardcover]

Jan Schwartz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2011

Learning one's cherished dog has cancer is a common experience among dog owners today. Upon diagnosis, veterinarians may suggest surgery or chemotherapy. But, our dog's cancer was too widespread for surgery, and the harshness of chemotherapy seemed inappropriate for this gentle-natured golden. Instead, we chose to celebrate the life and spirit of our beloved pet each remaining day left with him. What happened next is an adventurous true story of love and courage. Last Summer with Oscar is a narrative case study about a 9-year old Golden Retriever's response to cancer. While my husband and I came to grips with his diagnosis, Oscar made an amazing discovery. Nestled among a patch of young trees were Slippery Elm seedlings, and eating them became his choice of treatment. Oscar's determination to live enabled him to return to this patch to eat the leaves, thereby regaining his strength for continued walks with his littermate, Winston. Oscar, the teacher, found new ways to communicate with me, his student. Together, we explored little-known remedies for cancer. The goodness of the journey elicited kindness and goodness from others. Last Summer with Oscar is filled with anecdotes that inspire love and a true belief in the potential of humanity.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 198 pages
• Publisher: One World Books (August 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983260125
• ISBN-13: 978-0983260127
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #892,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Medical Books > Veterinary Medicine > Food Animals

More About the Author

Dr. Jan Schwartz brings to the table a wealth of experience in forensic behavioral science. She has been retained as a consultant in both public and private entities. Noted as "one of those who show high promise of significant contribution to society and progress," "Last Summer with Oscar" is her first book. Jan's fervent hope is that the information shared in Oscar's story will create new avenues of interest for research into effective treatments for dog cancer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finding a natural path to a cancer cure, October 12, 2011

By 

lionsdendaniel - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Last Summer with Oscar (Hardcover)

"Last Summer with Oscar" is a detailed book, though not meaning lengthy, by Jan Schwartz about the efforts of her and her husband to find alternative methods of treating their Golden Retriever for gastrointestinal cancer. This was in lieu of permitting their beloved dog to go through the torture that is chemotherapy, knowing that even chemotherapy would not ultimately cure the dog. Oscar himself led them to their first discoveries, beginning to devour slippery elm leaves on their property and turning them toward their first discoveries about alternative, natural elements for curing cancer. As one who always has questioned the "cut, poison and burn" methods for fighting cancer, which also kill immune cells, I found the book to be an eye opener. It is detailed because Schwartz, a forensics scientist among other academic accomplishments, is meticulous in maintaining a record of the treatment and care of Oscar. But the detail is important in this story, because the only hope for the dog was its diet as the veterinarian had told them, these dogs usually die within 60 days because they cannot eat.

5.0 out of 5 stars Natural remedy found to prolong and improve life of cancer battling dog, January 18, 2012

By 

Anja Wuerminghausen - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Last Summer with Oscar (Hardcover)

This book gives hope to every animal lover whose pet has/had to battle cancer. It is the story of the adorable Golden Retriever named Oscar. Oscar had only weeks left to live after a cancer diagnose. Oscar himself and his passionate owners discovered some natural remedies which prolonged his life much longer than his vet had predicted. This book is a love story which will tug at your heartstrings, a reference book and a wealth of information in regards to natural remedies on how to improve the life of a suffering and so much loved dog. Buy it, read it and have some tissues ready! Also check out the website [...] for more information.

5.0 out of 5 stars Last Summer with Oscar...Read this book, December 21, 2011

By 

walkswithfriends - See all my reviews

This review is from: Last Summer with Oscar (Hardcover)

"Last Summer with Oscar" would have been a quick read if I had not stopped to cry and read long passages to my wife. The reader is taken on a journey with Jan Schwartz, her husband and their dog through the last days of their dog's life. Schwartz takes the reader along with her and Oscar on three mile walks as they spend their last days together.

This is not just another sad dog story, although I warn you I did stop several time to relish my own memories of the dogs I have loved and lost on the journey that is my life. The story brought tears not often shed and I feel much better for them.

This is a true love story. This is a story about kindness, humanity, and unconditional love. It was a constant reminder of my mother's favorite comment about her five yappy lap poodles: "There is a reason that dog spelled backward is God." Read this book.