‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart’
Deputy battling cancer accepts check from pet stores fundraiser
As the saying goes, a dog is man’s best friend.
So it’s not much of a leap to say dog lovers know the value of compassion, support and caring for others in their time of need — and come through when called on.
Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy Bob Loken got clear confirmation of that Wednesday when he was presented with a check for $15,500 from the local canine-loving community.
Loken, who’s played a major role in the sheriff’s K-9 unit, is about six months into his battle against Stage IV pancreatic cancer. As he continues chemotherapy and undergoes scans every three months to check the treatment’s progress, Loken says he’s feeling pretty good, having switched to a “clean” diet, regular exercise and maintaining an optimistic attitude.
Yet there’s no denying a major health challenge carries a financial burden, as well. And that’s what spurred pet supply/food store owners Tom Peters and his wife, Mary Beth Darby of Healthy Dogma in Lake Orion to come up with a fundraiser that ultimately spread from their business to other pet food stores in Oakland and Macomb counties.
It started with reaching out to Paul Reyes of Fromm Family Pet Foods, who agreed to donate a portion of sales throughout February to the cause. Next, other stores were contacted and readily got on board to contribute a percentage of Fromm sales as well, and also collected donations from customers to help Loken and his family.
‘I’m touched so deeply in my heart’
Peters said there was no question he’d do what he could to help out Loken, who he’s known for 10 years as a frequent visitor to his store and who has put on police dog demonstrations to educate and entertain customers.
“We were more than willing — (Loken) doesn’t deserve what he’s going through,” Peters said.
The check was presented Wednesday afternoon at the sheriff’s headquarters, where Loken got emotional as he expressed his gratitude.
“I’m touched so deeply in my heart...this isn’t about me, it’s about my family,” Loken said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Loken also said he’s determined to fight the cancer every day, and the donations and other support buoy him, helping to ease concerns about financial problems his family will face if his health deteriorates.
“I can fight this. I tell people I’m glad it’s me and not any of them — and I mean that from my heart and soul,” he said. “I’m not worried about dying from cancer. I’m living with cancer. And my appreciation for everything in life is now magnified.”
Loken, along with his wife and three kids ages 14, 17 and 20, recently welcomed a new puppy into their household, Loki, a black Labrador retriever. The plan is to eventually get the pup into the sheriff’s K-9 unit and visit with youngsters who are fighting cancer and other illnesses.
Loken said he misses his work with the sheriff’s office, and meets up with his K-9 unit colleagues whenever he can.
“I hate being away from my job,” he said. “My number one goal is getting back.”