Well we’ve had a bit of a scare here at Denny Towers. We received a phone call the other day from Denny’s vet. He was calling to give us the results of the biopsy from the growth that was removed from Denny’s ear last week. It turns out that the growth was indeed a mast cell tumor. Thankfully the pathology report revealed that it was only Stage I and that the margins of the skin sample were clean – showing that the mast cell was removed completely. The Vet advised us that there would be no need for any further treatment since it was all removed, but that we should keep an eye on Denny for any new growths. He was quick to state that had we not noticed it and insisted that it be removed, it would have easily progressed to a more serious stage.

Obviously we were a bit taken aback. We were not expecting those results. Honestly when Richard pointed it out to me I thought it was just a harmless skin tag. It was only a tiny, irregular-shaped growth inside his ear and I did not think that it looked like a mast cell.  I honestly did not think the results would come back positive. Thank goodness we saw it and had it taken care of so early. I guess this awareness is a gift from Lilly. If she had not come into our lives to show us the importance of checking for mast cell tumors, we may not have paid any attention to Denny’s ear. We may not have done anything until it was in an advanced state. I shudder to think of the consequences.

This makes us more vigilant in our pledge to make sure that we check our guys out routinely. We are going to do skin checks on them every month when we give them their Heartguard and flea treatment. We sincerely hope that everyone reading this will make a point to do routine checks on their babies. And even if you find something that you think is inconsequential and “probably nothing” – please, follow up with your vet. These guys are relying on us to help keep them healthy.

Robbi

Posted by Richard at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pets have a funny way of reminding us what is important. While this has obviously been a very sad time around here lately, our gang understands that life goes on for the living. They have not allowed us to wallow in our sorrow and have insisted that we get on with every day life. Dinners must still be made and puggie bellies need to be rubbed. That is the beautiful thing about animals – though it’s obvious that they know something is wrong (and indeed our guys looked a bit lost Friday and Saturday) they also know that you must get on with life.

Phoebe missing Lilly

They also seem to think that it’s great fun to scare Mummy and Daddy. As such, Sunday morning we were pondering what we would do with the day while the kids enjoyed a good romp. Phoebe and Charlie were running circles around the upstairs when Denny decided to join them. Unfortunately for Denny, he’s not quite the athletic type and his nails were actually in need of a trim. The next thing we know, Phebes & Charlie had run through to the bedroom and Denny came limping behind them favoring his left front paw. Richard picked him up and we saw that he was bleeding profusely. Poor dear had caught his claw on something and partially ripped it out. We tried to wrap it up but he would have no part of it. We called the vet’s office who said to bring him down as an emergency.

An hour later we were in the vet’s office and Denny was being given an injection to help him sleep. He’s always been a bit of a worrier and he definitely hates having his paw messed with, so a sedative was definitely in order. While his foot was being looked at (and he was being given an all-over pedicure) we decided to have a couple of other items taken care of as well. He has had a small skin tag on his upper lip for quite some time and this seemed the perfect opportunity to have it removed. He also had a small bump removed from his ear. Though it appears to have been a skin tag, we are taking no chances and having it biopsied. After Lilly, we have pledged to make sure we do routine exams on all of our babies to check for any unusual lumps or bumps. We’ll do it every month when they get their Heartguard and flea treatment.

As it turns out, Denny did not need the nail completely removed, but it was cut down severely and bandaged up. He was also given shots for antibiotics and a pain killer. He was then given a reversal drug for the sedative and once he was able to keep his head up we headed home. Poor little guy spent the rest of the day feeling generally miserable while Phebes and Charlie keep sniffing his paw and ear.

Chicken rawhide for the patient

I am happy to report that this morning Denny woke up as his usual self. The bandage remains in place until tomorrow. The stitches in his ear are thankfully dissolving ones, so there will be no need to take him back for their removal. And since it has always been Charlie’s job to clean Denny’s ears, he is already seeing to it that the stitches dissolve as they should. Isn’t it nice to have family to depend on?

Charlie – Denny’s official ear cleaner

Posted by Richard at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Richard & I are coming to terms with the loss of Lilly. We have gone over in our minds every aspect of her care and condition over the past few days. Of course we will always have a bit of guilt about things we might have done differently, but we do know that those things would not have made any difference. Lilly passed on because she was ready.

We knew we would never cure her cancer. It was far too late for that by the time she came to us. The person that had her before us will have to live with that fact, and though I do not believe in a vengeful God I do believe in karma. We do not need to do anything more as that person will have to answer for what they have done to a higher power than us.

When Lilly did come to us, we had a small sliver of hope that there was something we could do. The tests and oncology consultation laid out the facts: we could never cure her but we might be able to buy her some time. Even with more time we knew that eventually a difficult decision would have to be made about easing her suffering. We started her on the chemotherapy thinking we might be able to arrest the cancer and buy her more time at her present condition. We were greedy – we wanted her to be with us for a while. However, it was ultimately Lilly’s decision. We know she did not suffer as she showed no signs of pain. But it was clear in the last few days that she was not happy. She refused to eat. At first we thought that it was just nausea from the medications and we could get past this. But as the days progressed she became weaker. There was still a bit of spark in her but we could see it fading. She was most content being held and stroked. She seemed genuinely happy lying against one of us – or even the other dogs. She seemed at peace.

While we desperately wanted to “fix” her and were trying to think of ways to do that, she made up her mind that she did not want to go down that path. She was ready to go. She quietly slipped away from us Friday night. By the time we realized she was leaving and started to take her to an emergency vet, it was too late and she was gone. She died quietly in my arms as we were driving. She knew. I know she knew. She knew what we were going to do and she did not want it. She wanted to go on her own terms in her own time. And she did just that. Later that night Cindy & James came over to say goodbye and we talked about Lilly. We agreed that Lilly probably knew best. Had we seen her through this crisis, we would only be delaying the inevitable. And given the state of her cancer, her end would probably be one that nobody would wish for. Lilly, in her infinite wisdom, knew better than any of us. She knew she would rather go out while she was free from tubes and machines and large amounts of drugs. So she made the decision now, so that it would not have to be made for her later. She went quietly, peacefully, surrounded by those that truly loved her.

We have made arrangements for Lilly to be cremated and returned to us. We have chosen an urn which will go on the mantle beside Alfie. She will be home where she belongs.

Robbi

Posted by Richard at 06:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At 9:35pm last night our sweet Lilly passed away while we were rushing her to the emergency vet due to a rapid decrease in temperature. Lilly passed quickly in Robbi's arms.

Lilly,

Sweet little Lilly-pug. We love you so much and miss you so badly. You had become a part of our lives and a part of our family. We will miss you snuggling up beside us on the sofa and in bed. And we’ll miss seeing you snuggling up against Denny in his donut bed or having Charlie come over to lay his head on your leg when you weren’t feeling well. Phoebe seems lost as well, waiting for you to play catch with.

You were such a joy. You gave the sweetest, lady-like puggie kisses. I loved it when we would talk sweet to you and you would roll over on your back to show us you were ready for a belly rubbing. I loved it when you would lie down at my feet in front of the stove while I was making dinner. And I loved the excited look you would get when we would tell you it was okay to come up on the sofa with us. We tried to give you the love and attention that you should have had all your life. The look on your face when we would tell you that you were beautiful and that we loved you showed us that you understood that and trusted us.

We are so grateful for the time we had with you. You touched our hearts. I am thankful that you were able to cross over to the Bridge on your own terms. Though we would have loved more time with you, we know you are in a better place and are free from suffering. Alfie will take you where you need to go now.

We will always love you sweet Lilly.

Love,
Mummy & Daddy

Posted by Richard at 09:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)