Reflecting On Our Decision

Still, each and every day we think about our Kisses and miss him terribly.  Almost 3 months removed from the final days, we can now reflect on our decision to treat the nasal cancer and why we felt it was the right thing to do.  Most people thought we were absolutely nuts to treat an almost 16 year old dog, or to spend what we spent.  But they never walked in our shoes and never loved our dog the way we did.  Not only did Kisses receive another 22 months of life after the radiation treatment, he had complete remission from the cancer.  Upon necropsy, there was no trace of cancer, even though the tumors can return within 8-12 mo. Colorado St. University Animal Cancer Center ROCKS!  And we'd do it again in a heartbeat! 

Goodbye our Sweet Kisses

On Friday, June 3, 2011 we made the gut-wrenching decision to euthanize Kisses.  He was 17 years, 5 mos. old.  In the last 2 mos. his quality of life had deteriorated quite a bit.  He was almost completely blind, getting very arthritic, not having fun anymore and had a bout with infection that sent his kidney values off the chart.  Although he recovered fairly well from the kidney and infection episode, the last 3 days of his life he developed excruciating pain (most likely due to bone destruction in his mouth from the cancer radiation)  The pain was uncontrollable, even with pain injections and heavy doses of narcotics.  We knew it was his time to go and took him in about midnight.  The vet was very sweet and gentle; she explained the procedure (we'd never been through that), and she make us a paw print to take home.  The tears flowed, and still flow today, but we knew we had done the right thing for Kisses.  His body was shipped to CO State University for necropsy.

Still Hanging In There!

Hey Everybody,
Hope you're all doing well.  We had quite a scare last month when a piece of my maxilla with 2 teeth attached fell out and created a hole about the size of a dime.  My pets parents figured it was the beginning of the end, but our vet said he didn't see the tumor, and it was probably just due to dead bone tissue from the radiation treatments. 4 weeks later I'm trying to learn to eat without problems.  It's pretty tricky, but all my is now put through a Magic Bullet and turned to mush.  It works for me!  My arthritis is getting a bit worse, but otherwise I'm just trucking along in month 20 since my radiation treatment.

Another VERY HAPPY New Year for me and my pet parents!

Hi Folks!  Well, not only is it the start of a brand new year, it is also the month when I celebrate my 17th. (yes, you have that right!) birthday.  If that's not exciting for ANY dog family, I'd be really surprised.  It has been a rough year with losing my eyesight and becoming more deaf and arthritic, but I'm still hanging in there, and we think I'm a great testimonial for the terrific treatment at Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center.  I'm now 16 mo. past my radiation, so I've actually exceeded the prognosis they gave us.  We make the best of each day and appreciate the gift of life for what it is.  Here's wishing all of you a very happy 2011.  Luv, Kisses 

Celebrating Good Cheer

Howdy all!  I just got back from the groomers with my holiday bow, fluffy fur and clean teeth.  I'm just chillin' at my pet parents work, patiently waiting for my dinner.  Life's been pretty good lately, but I wish I could see.  It's tough being blind!  I do get carried a lot, and that's cool.  Hope all of you have a great rest of December and a smashing New Year.

A Very Thankful Thanksgiving!

We're thankful for another year of life and for the great doctors who have helped me in my quest to live out my natural lifespan.  So far, the cancer hasn't gotten the best of me, and every day when I awaken, I check to see if my pet parents are there with me.  They're patient and understanding when I can't do the things I used to be able to.  Old age certainly puts a damper on one's abilities!  In January I'll turn 17, and that, in and of itself, is remarkable!  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and will have a great holiday season.

Blind as a Bat!

Hey there folks....yes, I'm still here! Yippee! I have now passed the 14 month mark since my cancer treatment. At this point I am about 99% blind, only seeing shadows (maybe) My hearing is gone in one ear, so I can't really tell direction anymore. But somehow I still have the sense to know if my pet parents are with me. I'm having a little trouble walking and they think it is probably arthritis. Pretty much I just stay at home now and sleep quite a bit. I'm used to my routine of eye medicine, etc. and seem to know when the treats are coming. My friend King came to visit for a couple days; it was nice to have the company even though I couldn't really play with him. I remember a year ago my pet parents were hoping I'd see my 16th. birthday, but now I'm very close to my 17th. Gosh, I think they should throw me a huge party! Here's a couple of pictures of me and my friend King.

13 Months and Holding!

Hi Everybody! I just passed the 13 month mark last week since my radiation, and I'm still hanging in there. I'm just about totally blind, and I do sleep a lot now, but it's great to have my pet parents with me and to spend my old age in comfort. I'm just about 3 months shy of my 17th. birthday, so, we all think that is pretty darn good! I guess I'm a very lucky dog to have found the pet parents I did. And, of course, they're also very lucky to have me (just a little bragging.)

One Year After Cancer Diagnosis

One year ago yesterday my pet parents got the devastating news of my nasal cancer. I was only given 2 mo. to live without treatment. Lucky me! I was flown to Denver and whisked away to Colorado State University in Fort Collins where I underwent another CT scan and 3 days of Cyber Knife radiation. Recovery from the anesthesia and radiation was rough, but after about 6 wks, life was good again. And here I am one year later still bringing joy to my pet parents' lives. They're taking great care of me, and physically, I'm hanging in there, hoping like crazy that I'll see my 17th. birthday. Over the last year we've met (online) several others like me and have shared medical information and support. We hope that sharing the details and information of my disease has helped other dogs and their owners.

Ten Months Post Radiation!!!

Hi Everyone
Here I am, 10 months after my radiation treatments. I'm getting progressively more deaf all the time and I'm just about totally blind now; guess the radiation took out my "good" eye. My pet daddy told my pet mom that it's like I'm looking at them through wax paper, but I think it might be worse than that. I do get lost and bump into a lot of things now. I'm sneezing more but no nose bleeds, and my appetite is still ravenous. My energy is waning and I sleep most of the day and then drive my pet parents crazy by being up all night. Basically, I'm just very happy to have the care and love they give me. It's tough being an old guy! I'm 16 1/2 now.

8 months Today! No complaints from me

Hi Guys
Today is my 8 month anniversary from the end of my radiation treatments. Again, a huge thank you to Dr. LaRue and associates at the Colorado State Univ. Animal Cancer Center for giving me the chance to spend some more time with my pet parents. I've developed dry eye, but it's responding well to medication, and I still go just about everywhere with my family. I've slowed down a bit lately, but heck, I'm 80 something now. All my "old age" ailments are under control and life is precious every day!

Yippee.....I've passed the 6 mo mark!

Well, life has been pretty smooth sailing for the last few weeks except the muscle spasm episodes I got for a couple weeks. Thanks to the great help from the wonderful vets at Colorado State University and my local vets here, I was able to recover quickly. I even had a couple of chiropractic treatments from an animal chiropractor, which seemed to help a lot. Otherwise, it's been business as usual -- going to work with my pet parents and being spoiled and catered to. Life is good, and I'm awfully glad to have this chance after my cancer treatment to live longer.

Happy 16th. Birthday Kisses

Well, with the help of my great pet parents, and the super doctors at Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center, I have celebrated my 16th. birthday this month. Since I was a lost, stray puppy, we're not exactly sure what the exact date is, so we've just made it a celebration for the month of January. I'm doing very well health wise and enjoying my life. Yes, I am one spoiled pooch, but, heck, at my age, I deserve it!

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.