A Very Happy New Year!

Hi Everybody!
Well, here I am on the cusp of my 16th. birthday. I almost can't believe it! That's pretty darn old for a dog. I am so very thankful for the great medical treatment I got at Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center. Things have been super for me for some time now, and the best part, I haven't had to go to the vet. Hope you all have a super New Years and a great year ahead.
Love, Kisses

Coming Up On 4 Months!

In a couple weeks it'll be 4 months since my radiation treatments. My days are good; my appetite is off the charts again, and life is great for me. Yes, I have been seriously spoiled and I'm enjoying it immensely. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to all my fur friends and their pet parents.
Love, Kisses

A Thankful Thanksgiving

Hi Folks! What a great Thanksgiving I had. Not only am I still alive, but I got to spend the day with my entire family. It was so nice to have everyone together at the same time. I'm still doing well and not really feeling my advanced age.

A Phenomenal Month!

Hi Folks
What a great month I've had! Life has been super, and I haven't been sick once. I'm eating like crazy and have a lot of pep. I think my hair's finished growing back in, and yes, it is white, just like they said it would be. Most days I walk at least a half mile and often a mile with my pet parents. I've had some play dates with my dog friend King and have gone quite a few places. Hey, my picture and my little story made it onto the Pet Airways website under "What People Say" -- check it out!

Good Report From Vet and More Hair :)

Things are more stable now, and today the vet said he thinks I'm past the bad part of the radiation effects. My hair's growing back a little, and my days are more normal. I'm still tagging along with my pet parents just about everywhere and spending more time on fun things like walks.

Each Day Is A Gift

Just chillin' with my buddy King. We took a road trip to the mountains a few days ago and today, it's just too hot for anything. A bit of a setback a few days ago, more sub Q fluids and a few vet trips, a change in medication, and hopefully that'll fix my sensitive stomach and keep my kidneys going. I'm starting to get a tiny bit of hair re-growth on my head and nose, and it doesn't appear to be coming in white as they said it might. My appetite comes and goes, but my weight is back up to normal.

Getting Stronger Each Day

Yesterday I walked about 3/4 mi. and could have gone for more. I'm eating well now and have gained my weight back. Here's a picture of me eating my favorite snack, Persian cucumbers.

Still Losing Hair But Feeling Pretty Chipper

As you can see by the latest picture, I'm not only losing hair on the top of my head, but also the left side of my nose is bare. We're hoping it grows back, but I guess that's a small price to pay for getting a longer life! I'm off of a lot of the meds now and am starting to spend a little time at home by myself. Pretty much though, I'm still a very pampered pooch! I'm going in a couple times a week for Sub-Q fluids, and my kidneys seem to be holding their own.

Help!!! I'm Going Bald!

Boy, the last few days have brought major hair loss for me. The left side of my nose and the top of my head where the radiation treatments were are getting pretty sparse. Otherwise, I'm doing well and still have a few more miles on me.

Whoa, Baby! Life Is Good Again!

Hi folks! It's been a month since I returned from my radiation treatment at Colorado State University. Definitely a hard month for sure! But I am finally getting stable, off most of the meds and eating dog food again. Bet my pet parents never thought I'd do that! I have more energy and just feel a whole lot better. I get to go to work every day with my pet parents and rather enjoy all the attention I'm getting.

Every Day Is A Roller Coaster

My nasal tumor is shrinking and I'm doing really well in that aspect, but my kidneys and GI tract are really acting up. Besides taking a whole bunch of medications, I now am getting subcutaneous fluids daily at home from my pet parents - OUCH! They prescribed an appetite stimulant and it seems to be working, but I'll be the first one to admit that I was spoiled rotten in Colorado and just don't want to eat most things. My pet mommy has been making me top sirloin, as the lean hamburger and fresh grilled chicken no longer interest me. I'm getting my pills on a cheerio with a dab of peanut butter; my pet parents think they're tricking me. Some days, or parts of days, I am tired and just want to rest, but others, I am peppy and feeling okay. My friend King came over to visit me today at the office; here's a picture of him. Not much else going on; I'm just trying to stay out of the hospital and get well.

Finally A Diagnosis!

Well folks, it hasn't been much fun since I returned from Colorado. I got out of the hospital last Sunday and it's been up and down. Yesterday they performed an abdominal ultrasound and diagnosed me with IBD, which explains why I've been having all those GI issues. I'm hoping my new medicine keeps it at bay and that I can finally get down to the business of living! I'm getting pretty finicky with my food and driving my pet parents a bit crazy.

In the Hospital Now

Nobody told me things would be this hard! I've had five visits to the vets in just 9 days, and yesterday my pet parents decided to hospitalize me to see if I can be stabilized. They don't know what's going wrong yet, and everyone is hoping that it is not serious. I'm getting calcium injections and fluids, and next would be an abdominal ultrasound. My family came to visit me today, and I'm doing a bit better

Just Taking It Easy

Life has definitely been a challenge for the past few weeks. I came back from Colorado with a raging eyelid infection, and my appetite isn't nearly what it used to be. Two vet visits, more blood tests and several new medications....oh boy! I wish they'd quit poking me and cramming pills down my throat! My pet mommy used to call me a chowhound cause I used to eat all day long. Maybe the radiation changed my taste buds, but food isn't real appealing now. I don't seem to have much pep, and walks aren't exciting anymore. Mostly, I just lay around and am content to know my pet parents are with me. The air is pretty bad from the fires burning nearby, and the temperatures are triple digit. I go everywhere with them now, which sort of limits their social life, but they assure me I'm worth it!

Home Sweet Home!

What a long day yesterday was! I started off with an altercation with a bush, or maybe it was a cat; it happened so fast....nicked my eyelid and had to go back to the vet hospital for a checkup. Then it was off to the airport with Connie. My canine buddies came along to wish me bon voyage. Dawn and Kelly at Pet Airways in Denver took great care of me until my plane took off. I landed in Los Angeles about 6 p.m. My pet parents were thrilled to have me home, and I'm happy too.

I'm outta here!

Whew!!! I've had my LAST visit here at the Colorado State Univ. Animal Cancer Clinic. Everyone here has been so nice and has taken great care of me with the radiation treatments. Doggie camp at the Canine Health Resort has been loads of fun, and I am so thankful to Connie for all she's done. What a great lady! But I must admit that I'm getting a bit homesick for my pet parents. I had my final exam and am cleared to fly home. Here's a picture of the CSU oncology team and another of my caretaker, Connie, and canine friend, Boone.

Just Chillin' at the Canine Health Resort This Weekend

My treatments are officially over, and I'm lovin' it here at the Canine Health Resort. Just chillin' for the weekend with my canine friends. Monday is my last visit at the Animal Cancer Center. Then just two more days until I fly home. I've missed my pet parents so much but am very thankful to have been given this second chance at life.

Day 3 --- My LAST Radiation Treatment

Well, folks, it's been a very interesting experience for me and also for my pet parents. Everyone here at the CO State University Animal Cancer Center has been wonderful. They've been so nice to me, and they have given me the BEST care possible. If all this works well, I will even get to celebrate my 16th. birthday. All that's left is my final exam and blood tests next Monday, and then I should be cleared to fly home a week from today. I will just enjoy "doggie camp" at the Canine Health Resort until it's time to return home. Here are some pictures of my radiation treatments and my radiation technician.

Radiation Treatment Day 2

Dr. LaRue, my radiation oncologist, said she's very happy with the way the radiation is going, and my other vet, Dr. Beckwith is pleased as well. I think I'm getting a bit spoiled here at the University Hospital. Apparently I am the oldest dog to receive this type of treatment for nasal cancer. Life at the Canine Health Resort gets better every day. Connie is feeding me very delicious food, and I'm getting to like my canine friends more each day. Tomorrow is my last radiation treatment, and then I'll just chill out at doggie camp for another week until Pet Airways takes me home to my pet parents.

My First Radiation Treatment

Well, today was my first SRS radiation treatment for my cancer. I'm a bit tired but feeling okay. My kidneys are acting up a little and I don't have much appetite yet. I'm just chilling with my dog friends and resting up for another treatment tomorrow.

Life at the Canine Health Resort in Fort Collins

I'm loving it here at the Canine Health Resort. Connie is so nice, and she has 75 acres. Plenty of room to roam and romp with the other animals. Every day brings more fun. I've had the whole weekend to rest and play and am ready to begin my radiation treatments tomorrow.

My First Day at CO State Univ Animal Cancer Center

Hi folks! What a long day today! Two exams, blood tests and a super high resolution CT scan....just a bit groggy from the anesthesia, but I am doing well. The staff is nice here, and everyone seems so caring. I get to rest over the weekend and play with my new canine and feline friends at the Canine Health Resort (see pictures) Monday I will begin my radiation treatments. The radiation oncologists are going to be using Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), which is a precise beam that focuses on the tumor. It allows high doses of radiation to be delivered to my tumor with minimum exposure to my healthy tissue. There should be way less side effects and I should be finished in 3 sessions. I'll stay one more week just to make sure I'm fit to travel.

Pet Airways takes me to Denver

Wow, do I feel special! Today I flew to Denver on Pet Airways with 22 other dogs. This whole airline just for pets is pretty awesome. Everyone was really nice, and I bet it is a whole lot more comfortable than being in a dark cargo hold. I'm with my boarder now. Tomorrow she'll take me to the Animal Cancer Center for my workup.

Colorado Bound

Well, all this is happening so fast. Tomorrow I will board the Pet Airways flight to Denver. I'll have the company of about 30 other fellow canines and felines. My boarding buddy will pick me up at the airport and take care of me through my radiation treatments at the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. From what everybody tells us, it's the BEST in the U.S. I'll have another CT scan and then just 3 treatments with state of the art equipment that's as close as you can get to the CyberKnife.

Hope is in the Air

Well, my photo session yesterday with the professional photographer was superb; we can hardly wait to see the shots! Today my pet Mommy spoke with the oncology department at Colorado State University, and I just might be making a trip to Fort Collins, CO to get the CyberKnife treatments after all. All this is happening at such a fast pace; it's all so overwhelming.

A Dog's Life is day by day

Boy, it’s fun getting pampered! My pet Mommy now makes me really yummy fresh cooked chicken and chopped veggies. No more yucky kibble. I’m taking DHA and another cancer fighting investigational medicine. Pretty much, I’m spending 24/7 with my pet parents now…..going to their office, running errands, going to the local dog parks and for lots of walks. I like all the attention and, especially, the hugs, but it’s tough on me when I see my pet Mommy cry. Tomorrow a family friend who’s a photographer will take pictures of me so my parents will have more memories when I’m not with them.

The past 2 weeks

No one can figure out how the heck I ended up with nasal cancer. My pet parents think it might be because I am a "super sniffer" My diet has been really good quality, my water purifed; I don't live on a high traffic street, my pet parents don't use pest or lawn chemicals, and nobody smokes! Nasal cancer is actually rare with only 1-2% of canine cancer being in that category.

Over the past 2 weeks I've been to see 3 different veterinary oncologists so my pet parents could learn more about my treatment options. So far we've learned about definitive radiation (18 sessions over a 3 1/2 wk period that should keep me alive for one year), palliative radiation 4 or 5 sessions at once a week just to make me more comfortable but will only give me about 5 months, chemotherapy that may keep me more comfortable but will give me the same time, and, finally, the CyberKnife, a specialized form of radiation that might keep the cancer at bay for up to 4 years. All these options are scary, but without treatment, I may only have 2 months left to live.

I'm definitely NOT ready to say good-bye to my loving family and would love to beat this disease, or atleast keep it under control until I am good and OLD and ready to go on my own time! The CyberKnife seems to be the best option.