My First Blog!!!

A few months ago, I hurt my right leg playing with my Sister Callie and had to go to the vet.  They said most likely a sprain, but they'd treat it and see how I do.  With some pain killers and Rymadil, I got through it.  The swelling went down and I felt a lot better for a few weeks.  I injured it again playing with my sister (she's like 5 years younger - 35 years younger by our standards) and got some more

medication.  The second time, my pain and swelling didn't go away and I went back to the vet.  This time they made me sleep and took a piece from my wrist to send to the doctor.  I have cancer they said, whatever that means.  All I know is this wrist is swollen and is killing me.  I can't help but lick it cause it hurts but dad keeps putting that silly collar on me so I'm trying to be good.

I get the impression that he's really upset but he's being totally positive around me because it keeps me in good spirits.  If there's one thing I know for sure, he loves me to the ends of the earth.  

I overheard him telling his girlfriend that once this cancer thing has appeared, there is a 100% chance that it is everywhere and that time on this earth is very limited.  I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time though because he promised me.

First things first.  Yesterday we went to Denver to have a Veterinary Oncologist have a look and draw some blood.  Dr Robyn Elsmlie at the VRCC was so nice and she gave us the facts and was so kind and understanding.  She didn't sugar coat it, but she had a genuine caring tone with us.  The drugs are pretty good I'll say that much!  She said what my Dad already knew we had to do.  This nasty leg is going bye bye.  Sounds horrible I know, but there's this awesome website at www.tripawds.com.  This website is what convinced my Dad that I needed to have my leg removed.  He also told me this story about a tripawd Rottweiler named Duke that he met in Bethel Alaska about a year ago who was totally adjusted.  The best part is that I'll only have about a week of recovery pain versus three or four months of terrible pain.  Oh yeah, and we watched this YouTube video and he was smiling but I was barking and trying to find this dog behind the screen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6TUn1QIZb0

Today at 3:30 we are going to our local Vet to go over blood-work and make an appointment to get this thing offa me.  Dad's looking at raw and homemade food for me and my sister because he said he believes it can not only help prevent cancer, but might give me some more time to play with everyone.  He started here: http://www.barfworld.com/ 

So with a little help from my Dad, I'm going to take you with me for my last few months before I go to Dog Heaven.  My Dad and I want to do this so that it might help other dogs and their humans cope.  We hope that if you're in our shoes you'll know what to expect and know that you are not alone.

It might be sad at times, but it will be good to have this journal.  We think the information here might help you.