While U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Van Loo is busy serving his country in Afghanistan as a valued member of the 32nd Transportation Company, the 43rd Sustainment Brigade-also known as the “Wild Riders”-and his best friend, 10-year-old Labrador Retriever Blu, are never far from his mind. –His best friend, 10-year-old Labrador Retriever Blu, is never far from his mind.
Blue takes comfort from Jason and Carrie Van Loon. (Photo credit: Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
But in April, Sgt. Vanloe got a message from his wife, Kari, that read like a blow. Blue, Sgt. Vanloo’s canine companion, had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and may have only two months to live.
“When I got that text message, my whole world ended,” Vanloo told the Denver Post. “It was like finding out one of your kids has cancer.”
Sgt. Vanloo and Kari are sad. Since Sgt. Vanloo won’t be home until August, it seems likely that he won’t have a chance to say goodbye to the dog that has been his constant companion.
But Kari wasn’t ready to give up on Bru. She knew her husband had been through so much during his tour of duty, and she wanted to do everything she could to make sure he could see his son, Bru, again. Finding the best treatment for Bru’s cancer became a top priority, but she knew that doing so would put a serious financial strain on her family, which also includes two autistic children and two little girls that the couple is helping to raise after the death of their parents.
With little money to spend on Bru’s cancer treatment, Kari and her children began holding garage sales around Fort Carson, Colorado, hoping to raise enough money to get Bru the help he needed. But as word of Bru’s story spread, donations began pouring in. Friends and strangers alike began contributing to the “Team Bru Vanlo” campaign, and eventually, the Vanlo family allowed him to see the veterinary team at Colorado State University’s Flint Animal Cancer Center.
Ten rounds of chemotherapy, an amputation, and later a surgery, Brew was there to greet Sgt. Vanloo when the American hero came home in August. Sgt. Van Law told Colorado State University (CSU) that his tearful reunion with Blue was a moment he will never forget. Although Blue now only has three legs, he is still a dog, Sgt. Vanloo said.
“It’s unexplainable,” he said. “He almost turned me over. I got on my knees and he licked every inch of my face. It was fantastic.”
Right next to Sgt. Vanloo’s family and his beloved dog was a large group of friends the soldier hadn’t yet met – a team of CSU veterinarians who had been treating Blue for cancer.
“I don’t think any of us could have been unaffected by what happened to Jason and his family at home,” explained CSU surgical oncologist Dr. Bernard Seguin. “It was clear to all of us that the dog symbolized something important and had a very special place in the family.”
Kari said members of the veterinary team have been Brew’s biggest supporters.
“When we came in, they all knew who Bru was. They all knew who we were,” she said. “On Bru’s 10th birthday, they held up ‘Happy Birthday’ banners and wore ‘Team Blue’ T-shirts. They went above and beyond for our family. When Jason arrived home and we had an appointment at the hospital, everyone took shifts to pick him up. I was in awe.”
A CT scan showed Brew’s cancer had spread. Sadly, he is entering the final weeks of his life. As for Sgt. Vanloo, he’s happy to have the opportunity to spend time with his dog, even if it’s so limited. Brew is helping him adjust to life back home, he explained.
“I think he’s a service dog,” Van Lew said of Blue. “It’s a rough deployment, and when I talk to people on the street about why he has three legs, it helps me get things off my chest.”
“He’s a godsend,” Van Lew added.
