Patch the Pooch is Cancer-Free

Bob Shaw puts a lot of faith in the power of prayer.

He’s sure it had a lot to do with the clean bill of health given this week to his faithful companion, Patch.

The Australian cattle dog is with Shaw so often he could almost be his shadow. We first . The 7-year-old pooch has been recovering from surgery to remove a tumor from his spine.

This week, Shaw, who owns in Doylestown, took Patch back to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey to have the 20 staples removed and get the pathology report back on the mass that was taken out.

Veterinary neurosurgeon Dr. Eric Glass performed the procedure.

Because of its size, irregular shape and coloring, Glass thought for sure it was cancerous.

The pathologist reading the report said otherwise.

Just to be sure, Glass had the report read again by another pathologist.

The same answer was given – the tumor was benign.

In this instance, Glass was glad to be wrong.

“The dog looks great,” said Glass.

And Shaw is over-the-moon happy.

“He had a lot of friends praying for him. The vet said it was the best news he could possibly give us,” said Shaw.

Better yet, “The Mighty Patch” (a name Shaw fondly bestowed on his pet) was given the okay to come back to work with Shaw and his other canine work companions – just no stairs for another month.

“People are already coming in to say ‘Hi’ to him. Bobby Simone (of the nearby Bobby Simone’s Restaurant) stopped by a little while ago,” Shaw said.

Patch will have to go back to his original veterinary facility, Doylestown Animal Medical Clinic, in about four weeks to follow up with blood tests, said Shaw.

The well wishes from his fans surely will go with him as well.