WTSP.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A tumor the size of a bullet grew in Curtis Young’s head, pressing on his brain. In six months, he could have been paralyzed. In a year, dead.
It was 2005, and Young had no idea it was there. But his dog, an 11-pound miniature pinscher acted like something was wrong. Sabrina would scratch, bite, dig at the back of his head when he laid on a couch. It was annoying. He thought it might be dandruff.
He talked to his doctor, and ultimately an MRI scan confirmed he had cancer. Surgery removed the tumor and Young’s ability to hear in his right ear. He’s been a Brevard County firefighter for about 25 years, and damage from his illness was supposed to prevent him from fighting fires. But after a year of light duty, he passed the physical test and returned to work.
Full story: Firefighter says he owes his life to his special pet