Skip to content
i Still Love Dogs
i Still Love Dogs

…Dog news, tips & fun stuff

  • News
  • Awww
  • Heroes
  • Grrr
  • Tips
  • Pittie Party
  • About
i Still Love Dogs

…Dog news, tips & fun stuff

miniature pinscher

Miniature Pinscher Detects Firefighter’s Cancers

Laura Goldman, August 18, 2014August 19, 2019

miniature pinscherBack in 2005, Curtis Young wondered why Sabrina, his 11-pound Miniature Pinscher, would constantly bite and dig at the back of his head while he was laying on the couch.

The Brevard County, Fla, firefighter told Florida Today Sunday that he’d wondered if he had dandruff.

But an MRI revealed something much more serious: Young had a brain tumor the size of a bullet.

If Sabrina’s persistent behavior hadn’t led Young to see a doctor, he could have been paralyzed within six months, and dead within a year.

“She’s an angel,” Young told Florida Today.

Even now, at the ripe old age of 13, Sabrina’s nose is still in top form. Two weeks ago, she began nibbling a spot on Young’s back when he wasn’t wearing a shirt. He felt a lump there, which turned out to be basal cell skin cancer.

“As far as special, she’s beyond special,” Young told Florida Today. “There’s nothing that comes between me and her. She comes before anything and everything.”

Sabrina is not alone in her cancer-detection skills. Other dogs have sniffed out breast cancer in their dog moms, and in a study last year, dogs were able to sniff out prostate cancer in urine.

In December 2009, Sabrina herself got very sick from the bacterial disease leptospirosis. In tears, Young called his mom, telling her he’d probably have to have his beloved little lifesaver euthanized.

Although one vet had called Sabrina a “dead dog walking,” Young got a second opinion, and another vet was able to save her life.

Young and his ex-wife found Sabrina years ago at a flea market. “She’s the daughter that I never had,” Young told Florida Today.

“She’s not my little girl — I’m her little boy. And she knows it.”

Photo credit: Riley the Miniature Pinscher by Marabuchi

Related

News Florida

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Recent Posts

  • Dogs—Not Cats—May Prevent Babies from Developing Asthma
  • Rest in Paradise, Patrick the Miracle Dog
  • Guide Dog Terrified by Thunder Led Blind Owner to Safety on 9/11
  • Once Again, Adopted Dogs Featured in 2025 Rose Parade
  • 7 Examples That Prove Trump Is Clueless About Dogs

Most “Paw”pular Posts

  • Due to 'Pit Bulls and Parolees' Lawsuit, New Villalobos Sanctuary Planned
  • 5 Reasons Why Jon Stewart Is So Doggone Awesome
  • Frank Sinatra Loved the Ladies...and the Dogs
  • Rape Charges Dropped Against Toney Converse of 'Pit Bulls and Parolees'
  • Leonard Nimoy's L.A. Pet Store Did Not Live Long or Prosper

Like i Still Love Dogs on Facebook

Like i Still Love Dogs on Facebook

Follow @iStillLoveDogs on BlueSky

Follow @iStillLoveDogs on BlueSky

Subscribe to i Still Love Dogs

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts. I respect your privacy and will never sell your information.

Privacy Policy

about Laura Goldman
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
©2025 i Still Love Dogs | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can opt-out if you wish.Got it! Reject Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT