How One Crazy Lab Becomes a CVMF Legacy

The Goethe Fund

Goethe P. Lueders (6.14.03 – 5.13.08), younger of two female black Labrador retrievers owned by Jill and Karl Lueders (Sadie the elder); was curiously named after the male German poet/philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, moreso after the most mispronounced street on Chicago’s near north side. Natives of The Windy City, the Lueders desired a name that not only would remind them of home, but would also stand out. The Lueders hit both marks; to this day, Goethe may be the most mispronounced dog name of all time (after much research, the Lueders settled on the Gu-tuh pronunciation for formal introductions; Gerta was the daily usage.) 

Like most sporting Labs, Goethe came out of her litter with fire in her eyes, mischief in her heart, and a craving for birds and squirrels. Born in 2003, Goethe arrived in Denver from Brush, Colo., to join the Lueders family and 5-year-old Sadie. Not prepared for the torment that would arrive with Goethe, Sadie preferred the more luxurious trappings of down comforters and leather sofas to 20-degree sunrise hunts and was ill-prepared for a 5-lb., rambunctious farm dog that was about to become her sister.

While Sadie was beloved by all who met her, Goethe’s rise to acceptance was an acquired taste (unlike the immediate craving Goethe developed for the wooden legs on the Lueders’ furniture). Sadie was quiet, smooth, and eager to please; Goethe was loud, determined, impatient, and stronger than most dogs twice her size. Yet, as she began to develop an acute devotion to the people who showed her love, along with her remarkable skills in field, Goethe’s rock star status began to elevate. Everywhere she went—friends’ homes, dog care facilities (Goethe had a knack for visiting the vet—four surgeries in five years, not including her spaying), wine shops, and dog parks—she left smiles and legendary tales in her wake.

The story of Goethe is brief, because, like most rock stars, she was destined to burn out, unbeknownst to any of us. At eight months, Goethe was attacked by a Brittany Spaniel, who had had quite enough of Goethe’s toothy invitations to play. Had she not made it to surgery within the next two hours, she likely wouldn’t have made it the next four years. At the age of three—stemming from her desire to chase balls, Frisbees, and cats at 90 mph—Goethe developed acute arthritis in her front elbow, which required arthroscopic clean-out. Seemingly accident-prone, it wasn’t until Karl discovered lumps on her lymph nodes in February 2008 did everyone started wishing for the good old days of simple orthopedic surgery. The next day, Goethe was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma. There were two options: begin chemotherapy and hope for the best or let Goethe live out her life until the day came when she wasn’t enjoying being alive. Jill and Karl Lueders tried chemotherapy, and for about two months, Goethe enjoyed complete remission. Eventually, Goethe stopped responding to the protocol. At that point, visits to the oncologist became necessary to simply know when quality of life was going to start deteriorating.

On May 11, 2008, Goethe chased her tennis ball with her usual maniacal fervor. On May 12, Goethe lost interest in the tennis ball, an object she would choose over food. On May 13, Goethe lost her battle with cancer.

Some pet lovers do not have the advantage of providing basic veterinary care for their pet. These economically disadvantaged owners cherish their pet as much as the Lueders cherished Goethe, but there is a limit to what they can provide. The Goethe Fund is helping Harrison Memorial help those owners bridge this gap.

We aren’t trying to create any illusions about how tough times are economically. How dollars are spent is just as important as how many. But in times like these, we remember that the simple things in life are truly the most important: food on the table, heat in your home, and the health of family, friends, and pets. Pet owners understand the happiness that comes from a healthy pet; imagine helping someone equally as willing to share that love but who simply cannot afford it on their own. You aren’t just helping pets—you’re increasing happiness on a grander scale.

In 2009, The Goethe Fund launched its “25 in 5” campaign to benefit the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation, known to many as the parent organization to Denver’s Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital. The Fund was created by Jill and Karl Lueders of Denver, Colorado. Both Jill and Karl are longtime dog lovers and have owned dogs since they’ve been in Denver. Jill is an IT lead at Janus Capital Corporation and Karl Lueders is a residential Realtor for Denver-based The Kentwood Companies.

By raising $25,000 over the next five years, The Goethe Fund will enhance Harrison Memorial’s ability to continue its missions to put a new leash on life in support of helping the pets of the economically disadvantaged, persons with disabilities, and seniors, with donor-subsidized veterinary care.

Not only does your donation make a difference, whether it be $50 or $500, but your generosity will be recognized by Harrison Memorial and The Goethe Fund.

Says Karl “Goethe were still around, she’d bite your wrist in thanks.”

Story by Karl Lueders    

If you would like to make a donation to the Goethe Fund, please click here. Be sure and note your designation request to Goethe in the comment/special instruction box.