We couldn’t help but fall in love with the playful Golden Retriever, 100 pounds of bundled energy with a puppy’s playfulness still very much present. He had settled in with us with hardly a whimper as our dog-sitting stint began, two days of a fireball in the middle of our quiet routine. 

“He won’t jump up on the bed, will he?”  He will.

“Does he slobber?”  He does.

“Will he let us know when he has to go?” Yes, often.

It didn’t take long to become attached to the oversize furball. Watching him smile as I rubbed his belly was a hoot – oh yes, dogs do smile.  And I couldn’t help but laugh uproariously as he bounded about the lawn trying to catch the three tennis balls I tossed into the air.  And maybe best of all, sitting next to me on the couch in the den, his head on my lap as the television anesthetized us before we went to bad.

I resisted at first. Didn’t want to fall in love.  There is heartbreak built into the collar when you take on a pet like loveable Ollie.  It’s called lifespan.  The average for a dog is about 12 years.  Needless to remind you, your pet will die while you are still very much alive.  And you will grieve. 

The Malamute husky named Fresca was my constant companion when I lived in Aspen.  We hiked the mountain trails, put our prints side by side in the freshly fallen snow and were pretty much inseparable.  Then he disappeared.  Dog napped.  The day the lifts closed, and the ski bums fled town, grabbing up the local dogs to sell to the labs that paid good money for the four legged test subjects. Amid my grief, I thought, why have a pet knowing the end is ordained, knowing they’ll disappear or die and leave you with the hurt that takes a long time to subside.

Of course the question was much larger in scope. It was about how to live our lives, full speed or brakes on.  Is it better to walk away from love to avoid the inevitable pain?  Or participate and take delight in the time together when love blooms, the transitory nature of the flower a poignant reminder to appreciate its presence even more!

My time with Ollie was a reminder of that long-ago internal debate. And the decision to wipe away the tears and embrace the inexorable reality, life is lived in the here and now.  We don’t need Eckert Tolle or Pema Chodron to tell us we cannot be present when our mind is anticipating a future that has yet to arrive or re-writing the script for a past that cannot be re-played.

When I’m playing with Ollie, I’m having fun.  I’m experiencing the moment, the rough housing, the excitement, the connection between this whirligig of a happy dog and the kid inside this old guy. I’m not thinking, “Oh dear, Ollie will be gone tomorrow.”

I’m having fun!

Microscopic image of invasive prostate cancer.

Another telephone call. Another new diagnosis of prostate cancer. I see so many cases of prostate cancer each day, but some are more personal to me than others.

This time the worried young man on the phone is a friend, and he is indeed young. Carefully followed because his father is a prostate cancer warrior (survivor) his diagnosis has been made before his 40th birthday. He will benefit from all the advances in diagnostic techniques, prognostic methods, and therapeutics that have been developed in the last decade or so. Testing of the abnormal genetic material in his tumor, as well as his “germline” genetics (the genes he was born with) may assist in some decisions, as well as serve as a guide to family members about their own potential risk for prostate and other cancers.

Something else that will be available to him as he begins his prostate cancer journey is the presence of information seminars and support groups sponsored by UsToo, an international organization based in Rosemont. (Full Disclosure: I am on the Board of Directors of UsToo.) These resources bring prostate cancer patients updates on the latest in medical, surgical, and radiologic advances, as well as the ability to discuss with peers what to expect and how to deal with the life changes that the diagnosis and treatment may bring.

One month from today, on September 26th, UsToo along with UroPartners (More Full Disclosure: I provide pathology services to UroPartners) will be sponsoring the SEABlue Race/Walk in Lincoln Park, to raise funds for Support, Education, and Advocacy related to prostate cancer. I would love to invite you to join in on a fun-filled morning by the lake, but with no knowledge of what COVID restrictions we might be dealing with in a month, I will instead ask you to support me in my personal fundraising campaign. You can donate (any amount is welcome) by clicking here. Donate in honor of all the men you know–those who have prostate cancer, those who have lost a battle to prostate cancer, and those who just by being a male are at risk.

To my young friend–keep your hopes high and know that there are many resources to help you. Your dad is a success story, you can be too!

Just one note in closing. UsToo is merging with Zero-The End of Prostate Cancer in an effort to combine the strengths of each of these two great non-profits. You can learn more about the merger here.

Thank you for being a supporter.

Once more, the link to donate to my fundraising is Ustoo.rallybound.org/sea-blue-2021/lesraff

The opinions expressed above are the opinions of the author and not necessarily UsToo or UroPartners.

Like what you read here? Add your name to our subscription list below. No spam, I promise!
___

———————————–

Felly continues to expand his craft, sharpening his songwriting skills. On “Still Young” he delivers a high-pitched falsetto mid-song that steals the show. Then, seconds later, there’s a Santana-like guitar riff that drives the song home with fervor. He’s always bringing something new, unlike so many artists in hip hop.

After coming off as a Coldplay copycat, Mat Kearney has spent the rest of his career trying to prove he has his own sound, which he does. “Odds” is proof of that, delivering his trademark vocals with a rap delivery. He’s dropped some great songs along the way, and this is one of them.

Toad is prepping for their latest release by releasing a new single each week. Last Friday Micheal McDonald was singing with the group, and now we get a song that sounds very similar to the last two. I’m hoping they change it up a bit on the rest of the record.

Bartees Strange and Illuminati Hotties are “Pool Hopping” and window shopping on my favorite track of the week. I love to be surprised and this combo gives me that pleasure. I especially love what Bartees does on this remixed version, but you can check creator Sarah Tudzin‘s original video below. She’s cute, bubbly, and I’ll be damned if she’s not endearing.

Future Islands remixes “Beautiful Beaches” for James, and it reminds me more of the former than the latter. The only part of the song from the original version that is decipherable lies in Tim Booth’s incredible vocal for the chorus. “Take our chances/Get out of Kansas/Escape.”

Speaking of Future Islands, they return this week with a nice little number called “Peach.” It’s an upbeat lull, something they’ve perfected and something I’ve come to really enjoy.

Your Jazz Cut Of The Week is “Milano” from Henrik Janson. It might be a bit more classical, but there’s a silky jazz vibe to the fingerpicking in this 2-minute manifesto.

Subscribe to my blog below.

Running back Markenzy Pierre (1) enjoys some down time during fall camp with EIU teammate Robbie Lofton. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)

Editor’s note: This is part one of the annual Prairie State Pigskin series on four new faces — two on offense and two on defense — who likely will play big roles on the field for Illinois FCS teams this fall.

As a high school athlete, Markenzy Pierre was impressed by the bond a former Eastern Illinois football coach made on his family.

When it was time for the Syracuse running back to choose a new school via the transfer portal this off-season, current EIU coaches made the same impactful impression.

“Dino Babers is a great coach,” Pierre said of the Panthers’ former head coach, who won a combined 19 games in 2012 and 2013 in Charleston. “He recruited me out of high school. The connection he made with my parents was one of the biggest reasons for me going to Syracuse.”

When it came time for Pierre to explore new opportunities via the NCAA transfer portal, EIU was part of a discussion with Babers, who is in his sixth season as Syracuse’s head coach.

“We discussed all possibilities, and Eastern did come up because it was one of his former schools,” Pierre said.

During his recent recruitment, though, Panthers head coach Adam Cushing and running backs coach Omar Young played the biggest role.

“What really made me commit to Eastern was the connection I made with Coach Young and Coach Cushing,” said Pierre, who played in 34 games at Syracuse as a running back and return specialist. “This was the best opportunity for me to put out all my skills.”

At 215 pounds, Pierre offers EIU an experienced back to help the Panthers rev up an offense that scored only 20 points a game during the spring season.

Pierre describes himself as “an all-around back that can bring this offense to the next level.”

During high school in Kissimmee, Fla., he ran for more than 5,000 yards. While at Syracuse, he was backup running back and a core special teams players.

His experience so far at Eastern has shown Pierre that the offense has potential to improve quickly.

“Throughout training camp, I’ve seen big, explosive plays,” he said. “I know we’re going to be able to translate that come game time.”

OFFENSE

Tyler Ringwood, WR, senior

Ringwood spent three seasons at FBS Charlotte, where he was the third-leading receiver in 2019 and led the team with five catches and 64 yards receiving in the program’s first-ever bowl game – the 2019 Bahamas Bowl.

At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, he is the heaviest of EIU’s three starting receivers and will provide a big target for young quarterback Otto Kuhns.

DEFENSE

Blake Ruffin, S, freshman

A true freshman from Louisville, Ky., the 6-4, 200-pound Ruffin drew rave reviews from teammates and coaches in fall camp. He will start the season as the team’s No. 2 strong safety. As a prep senior, his Trinity High School team finished 10-0, won a state title, and allowed opposing teams five points a game.

“He can really run,” EIU head coach Adam Cushing said. “He’s real physical.”

But what sticks out first about Ruffin, according to his coach, is his understanding of EIU’s defense.

“We kind of have three different safety positions, and he knows them all,” Cushing said. “He has made sure that he knows them all.”

Russell Dandy, CB, junior

A two-year contributor at Butte College in California, Dandy adds some college experience to a young secondary. He will start at one cornerback spot opposite freshman Tyris Harvey.

Dandy had 25 tackles and six pass breakups over two seasons at Butte, the same school that produced Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.