Sad News

This past Monday we finally got a diagnosis for Sam's problems.  Sam has a brain tumor.  

Sammish

According to the vet, chances for him to survive surgery are slim.   At best, she thinks we have another 3-4 months with him. 

Waiting for news...

It's been a roller coaster of emotions for us these past few months.  I think deep down in our hearts, Aaron and I knew it was more than just a tendonitis issue.

Cruising the neighborhood

We shared the news briefly on Facebook, so some of you already know.  This past week has been hard on us, but we want Sam to have the best time possible, for however long he has left.  We are hoping for more time than what the vet thinks.

Happy boy

Sam loves people, so we are going to try to take him to see as many people as possible.  We are limited by the heat, but we are going to do our best for our boy.

Best friends forever...

We want to thank everyone for their words of support and love.  It has meant so much to us that Sam is loved by so many folks.

This and that.

It's that time of year where I travel to parks to give them a hand.  What does that really mean?  I'm behind on blogs and commenting!  Please don't forget about us - I will stop by and say hi when I can.

I just returned from Cedar Breaks National Monument.  If you are traveling through Utah, this park is definitely worth a detour.  It was beautiful and a complete change from the desert I am so used to.

The geological aspect of the park - the "ampitheater"...

When I arrived last Monday, the temperature was 60 degrees and rainy - a drastic change from the 118 degrees we were having at home.

These lovely meadows were everywhere!

We saw lots of folks with dogs - and it made me wish I could have brought Sam, Monty and Harlow along with.  They would have loved being here!

This pup made sure you left a good tip for your waiter!

 I did find the perfect beer for Golden owners - and bought one bottle for its label....

How awesome is this label?

....and now a Sam update...

Aaron and I brought Sam to the orthopedic vet on Friday.  We felt that this specialist listened closely to our concerns.  Sam was having a good day and wasn't showing too many symptoms, but the vet agreed that many of his symptoms could not be explained by his diagnosis of "tendonitis in his shoulder".  He discussed what our options were, and then gave us the best options for Sam since our boy is an older pup.  We will be bringing him in on the 15th for a cortisone injection in his shoulder joint, as well as a needle aspiration of a lump on his neck and a chest x-ray.  The lump has previously shown to be nothing, but the vet would like to rule out any possibilities of cancer causing these issues.  The cortisone injection will help us determine if it really is an issue in his shoulder as well as get him off of the Prednisone.  We will be weaning him off of the Prednisone during the next week in preparation of the shot.  We will then be doing follow up with a physical therapist.  While the vet didn't give us the cure-all we were hoping for, we felt that he has Sam's best interest at heart and appreciate the fact that he talked to us honestly and openly.  Hopefully, after the 15th, we will have some idea of how we manage Sam's issues. 

Rain in the summertime?  Gotta stick the shnooter out the window!

One thing that made us smile was he complimented us on the care and concern we have given Sam.  How could we not?  After all, he is our Sam.

Sam Update

We don't have an update, really.  Aaron and I feel like we are swimming in some great unknown with Sam's condition.  Keeping him on high doses of Prednisone and Tramadol are helping, but the wobbliness and unsteadiness is still there.  The neurologist admitted it is out of her hands and beyond the scope of her knowledge, so our next option is an orthopedic vet.  

Begging for popcorn...

I think the hardest part is we feel unless there is a change, we are at the edge of a big decision.  We've noticed changes in Sam, although, we aren't sure if all of them are related to the medicine or not.  We can easily say some of them are - panting, the excessive need to pee, restlessness...  Sam is happy enough, his appetite is good, but we know his issues are causing him some discomfort.  He spends a lot of time resting and at times seems very remote and distant. When he walks, his wobbliness occasionally gets so bad he crashes to the ground.  We try to support him as much as possible and help him, but Sam has always been independent.  

Keeping an eye on Mom...

Currently, we try to keep him happy.  We fuss over him, let him do what he wants, and take him on short walks to keep him going.  

I love Sam.

Every day we pray for more time and that this can be resolved.  We hate not knowing what is wrong with our special boy.  Please keep him in your prayers.  Hopefully the orthopedic vet can shed some positive light on Sam's situation.

A Sam update and Fawkes Harlow

First of all, a long overdue update on Sam.  Right now our boy is doing a lot better than he was a week ago.  His testing last Monday revealed the lump to not be cancer, and in fact, to not be anything other than a very well developed muscle in Sam's shoulder.  The new theory is that Sam has an inflammed shoulder joint due to either valley fever or bacterial arthritis.  So, Sammish is on Prednisone, Tramadyl and Clavamox in the hope that one of those will defeat whatever is wrong with him.  Sam is getting around much better with only a slight limp.  We have a sneaky feeling that there is still something that isn't right and hasn't been covered by this diagnosis, but we are taking it one day at a time.  As long as Sam is happy, then we are too!

Thank you, everyone, for thinking of me.

Now, our timing has always been wacky, but in the midst of worrying about Sam, we added a new family member....

One... two... thr... wait a minute!

Originally, her name was Libby, but she didn't seem to respond to it.  We renamed her Fawkes Harlow, or Harlow for short.  She is a 9 month old female Golden Retriever.  Our boys are absolutely smitten with her.

I shall teach her everything I know.

Of course, Harlow is all girl and needed a very girly collar:

After all, what girl doesn't want to dress up in pearls and lace?

Harlow needs some work on her basic manners and potty skills, but she is incredibly smart and wants to please.  She also thinks she is Super Dog.

I'm sure I have the position right, but how do I get off the ground?

Did I mention she's not spayed, either? 

Monty at times acts horrified about her, although, we think he is pleased to finally have someone to play with.  Harlow pesters him to death, and Monty has stoically adopted the role of big brother.  Of course, if you ask him, he will deny that he likes her.

Dis isn't what it seems.  I was framed!

An Update on Sam...

Do you ever have the feeling you just can't win?  Sam finally got the drain out today, but the site where the drain was is now badly infected.  So, poor Sam is wrapped again and on another dose of antibiotics.  His shirts are being bleached and washed, and he has to stay covered till Friday when we go back. 

Monty being a good brother and watching over Sam.

Keep you fingers crossed that the bandages can come off on Friday!

Frosty Paws

Our friend Garth Riley recently sponsored a Frosty Paws Giveaway for National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.  Were we surprised to find out we had won!  Our package arrived in the mail today.  Thank you Garth Riley!

 Our boys were stunned to find out there wasn't anything in the box for them....

WHAT!!!!

Well, let me rephrase that - there are coupons for free Frosty Paws for the boys...

....and a nice Garth Riley card and note!

 Monty was relieved!

Oh, dat's better.  I like to eat paper....

Oh Monty, you don't want to eat the coupons!  You get to trade them in for Frosty Paws!   ...but, wait, what else was in the box?

The envelope held the coupons.

(Please ignore the bad photograph...)

It's Frosty, the Frosty Paws dog!

This Sam speaking now.  Sam taking over his blog.  Is his blog after all.  Mom says Frosty isn't meant for us pups.  Mom was excited to get something in the mail...  Sam draw detailed re-enactment of what Mom said to us:

Bigefy to see full view....

That right.  Mom "neener neenered" us.  Can you believe it?

Thank you Garth Riley!  We really enjoyed our prizes!

Update on Sam:  We brought Sam to the vet hoping to finally get his drain out - the seroma is still draining!  Dr. Kerne also drained fluid off of the second seroma that formed on his side.  Sam is so miserable at this point.  He is hot in his bandage vest, he can't play...  We go back Thursday for another recheck.  Keep your paws crossed!