Doggie Heaven

It is a sad doggie day in our home -- Speedo is now in doggie heaven.

More later.

~ Jake

Speedo and Chemo...Again

Sorry it's been so long since I've reported, but I've been up to a lot, including moving -- and getting to learn all about how to enter our pool! It's really a nice addition to our lives.

Speedo started having problems again recently, so he saw Dr Selting a couple of weeks ago (the day before we moved) and he started a new chemo regime. It has really slowed him down. His white count was OK, but his red count low one week after. Today, he had another CBC and a check xRay. His blood count was fine, but Dr Mauro suggested we consider Rimaldyn (for pain). Dad was away last week and noticed when he returned that Speedo aged a lot in the 5 days. He is not going for walks much anymore, and really doesn't like to eat his food, but he still likes biscuits!!

He does swim -- first thing he does in the morning, actually. Then, he swims 1 or 2 more times per day, depending upon who is around. Dr M suggested we keep him dry, to limit possible skin irritations. We both got a little clipping yesterday -- our belly and rump feathers are down to ~1 inch now. Too bad we can't stay here all summer, because it is great!

I hope my brother rallies. Mom bought him some special "beef" science diet for tonight and chicken for the morning. We'll see what he thinks about the new flavor food.

OK, time to catch an afternoon nap. I've got to keep in character!

~Jake

Speedo's 12th Birthday +

I have not been so good about keeping in touch, sorry about that. A lot of things have been taking my attention recently. First, Speedo's 12th birthday on 4/8/06. He was treated specially, but I got extra attention, too. That was great.

Next, Speedo had a bloody nose -- usually at night. So, we went to see Dr M. at the "Cookie Palace". In general, I love that place. So does my brother -- he just runs to see Dr M. (well, she usually gives us some lean treats, and they are sooo good). Anyway, we couldn't do a lot for my brother, as he is too old to sedate. Dr M. said it could be a tumor, or simply something stuck up his nose. She gave some antibiotics, which in 2 days, helped. Now, he just has a snotty nose sometimes. Of course, I sneeze a lot and stuff, too. I think I have allergies as I need to rub my eyes a lot, too.

Today we got a special Easter treat. Dad took us over to what is going to become our new digs, and he showed us where the steps were to get in/out of the pool. Then, we got to swim a bit. That was really fun. I even got to play stick fetch! Speedo learned the steps a bit faster than I did, but I think I have it down now, too. That doggone pool vacuum hose gets in my way sometimes, though. We'll have to work out those details.

Hope you had a nice Easter. We sure did.

More later.
~Jake

Speedo's Recent Eval

Speedo went to the "Cookie Palace" (AKA, his Henderson Vet Clinic) today to have his bloody nose symptom checked out ... phase II. Phase I consisted of testing his blood platelets. He passed that test. Today, he was a good dog and allowed R, L and dorsal X-rays to be taken of his lungs. We were able to view the films shortly after Doc Mauro reviewed them. Fortunately, nothing showed there (relative to any developing lung cancer signs). That did not help us particularly in identifying the source of his nasal bleeding. There could be a nose tumor or something stuck in his nose. Tough to tell without putting him under (a HUGE risk for a dog of his age and health status). For now, we are trying a (spendy) antibiotic to see if that alleviates the problem. If it does not, then that might suggest there is a bigger problem that we have to deal with.

Incidently, I went with Speedo to the "Cookie Palace", and I was treated just as well as my brother. Doc Mauro has these great 'lean' treats that she shares with us. I love them, but I also like the low-level biscuits. I'm not pickie. I will accept any type of food offered. Since I got rid of my huge growth, I now weigh ~94 lbs. Dad thinks I'm too skinny, but Mom likes me lean. She thinks my lesser body weight is good for me relative to my bad hips. Dad does not disagree, but he still thinks I am too skinny. I opt for Dad's view since I love to chow down, but Mom typically feeds me, so I guess I'll stay sleek.

~ Jake

Speedo's Changes

Hi to all of my friends!

First, I want to let you know that I "finally" figured out how to let you give any feedback to me and my messages without having to give up your firstborn golden retriever pup! So now, you can read and respond at will to my messages. That's the good news.

The bad news is that my brother has some not-so-good symptoms. He will go for a CBC tomorrow to check his blood platelet levels and we will work from there. Basically, he has a bloody nose discharge we've seen at night, which could be anything from something stuck in his nose to a tumor there. I was happy to hear Dr M suggest that it was not lung-related, since he is not coughing or having respiratory problems.

So, it sounds like now that I am healing and becoming more healthy, that I need to take care of my brother as he might be coming into some more challenging days. In case you didn't know, Speedo will be 12 next Saturday (4/8). That is the same day that "My Grandpa, Mom's Dad" will be 81. It is easy for her to remember birthdays when they are on the same day, she tells me.

Thanks for checking in with us. I'll be sure to let you know how Speedo proceeds. Mom & Dad have a special surprise in store for him on Easter weekend...a pool to swim in, if he is up for it. That is assuming their plans work out, which so far, everything is in order. So, I'll be in touch.

~ Jake
ps: I now have base fur to cover where I was shaved from my surgery, so I'm not as embarrassed to go out in public...

Feeling Even Better

We just returned from a visit to see Dr M. She removed my stitches, drained my abdominal wound, and said my belly wound is healing wonderfully. I weighed in at 94 lbs, so am one sleek, cool looking stud (sans fur on my side). Speedo went with me for his rectal exam. Slightly enlarged prostate and a bit more nodular. We talked about the ultrasound and chest Xrays as diagnostics to track potential spread of his cancer, but decided not to go that route. Also, due to our begging savvy (and brown sad doggie eyes) we got 3 biscuits each from our friend the vetCookie Monster!

I think my side got a little sunburned yesterday. I hope at least my underfur grows a bit more to provide a cover. I have started to lie on either side now, so that tells you I'm feeling better. Mom and Dad thought I would be a terrible post-surgical patient, licking and scratching my wounds. Fooled them! I was sooo good about leaving things alone.

Don't think we are going to get out of town during Spring Break. Actually, Dad was talking about maybe a Day Trip to Valley of Fire (vs taking the trailer). Probably tough to get a campsite there during Spring Break, as they do not take reservations. Oh well, I don't mind hanging out in Henderson.

That's the update for now.
Check back again.

~Jake

I'm Baaaaack!!!!!

Yessirree....Jake here. Feeling good and looking sleek, especially with little fur on my left side (coupled with the fact that I lost 5 lbs recently).

First, thanks to Drs Barstadt and Mauro for completing my surgery. Dr M is following up with me to make sure all is OK. Next, thanks to my brother Speedo for covering for me. I think he did a great job when I wasn't quite up to things. Finally, thanks to all of you for your thoughts and kind words. Sure helps to have friends!

As for me, my large bandage is off, and I am basically naked, except when Mom tries to get me to wear that silly t-shirt. I've managed to destroy the first one, so this morning Mom broke out another one for me. This one is gray and rather drab for my personality. Maybe I should not have wrecked the other one. Hmmm....too late now. Actually, I do not purposely tear the shirt, it just happens when I'm outside rolling on my back and stuff. Dad saved three of his worn shirts for me to use, which was nice of him. But, they are a bit worn.

I am scheduled to have my stitches out next Tuesday afternoon. Mom and Dad are trying to organize a camping trip for us Wednesday-Saturday, if I can swing it. Maybe Valley of Fire? It's close to home and supposed to be very nice. There are two State Campgrounds there, but neither takes reservations. If we go, I'll have to be careful not to get too excited about new sites and stress my healing wounds.

Thanks again for thinking of me!
~ Jake