We had to let our d’oh go today.  He tried so hard to stay with us. In the end he was wagging his tail and eating his favorite treats.  He even sat up and wagged his tail when Dr. Phil came in, he was happy to see one of his friends.  But he was so restless at night and weak.  Not to mention how difficult it was for him to breath.  I knew I made the right decision when as he was falling asleep, his face was relaxed and he laid his gib ‘ol head in my had for one last ear rub.  Be free of pain my friend, run with your girl dog Maggie.  I miss you very much.

This was Dozer’s first trip to the beach.  We have always boarded him when we take the family summer trip; because a saint bernard at the beach sounds like cruel and unusual punishment.  But this year was different, and as things have developed it was a blessing.  Because of Dozer’s osteosarcoma and chemotherapy he has not been able to take his vaccines, specifically the bordetella for kennel cough.  The good news is Dozer loves to travel, his favorite place to be is in the car with his people. His 3rd round of chemo and survellience x-rays were scheduled for the day after we got back. The wind was completely knocked out of our sails.  Even though he has been having some trouble getting comfortable and restless, especially at night.  And occasionally panting.  We never suspected the news would be as devestating as it was.  His labs looked great, only lost 2 pounds.  His chest xray is almost completely whited out with tumors.  His cancer has notThis was Dozer’s first trip to the beach.  We have always boarded him when we take responded to chemo at all and in 2 months has metastisized to his lungs so rapidily that there is nothing else to do but take him home and make him happy. We are so blessed that he had a good trip with the family.  He learned that after being in the same house as a barking shelty that his cats Twix and Aggie aren’t so bad.  He figured out he really doesn’t know what to think about that noisy water rushing under his feet, but likes to make doggie angels in the sand.  By the way, no matter how much you bath a saint bernard after the beach you will still end up with a pile of sand in your bed. Here’s to the best dog in the world.  Here’s hoping I can be the person my dog thinks I am and that I can make his last days as happy and comfortable as possible.  To listening to my furry baby and know when it’s the right time to help him from his misery and join his Girl Dog Maggie in Heaven.

Dozer; as we know is amazing. But we were validated when we received a letter from CSU Veternary Teaching Hospital, Argus Institiute.  Our senior student, CC, expressed that we made a lasting impression on her with out our love and compassion to him.  The Argus student donation program was funded for alumni to pass on appreciation of mentors, clients, animals, and families…..

“Your love and dedication to Dozer was truly uplifting. You are not only wonderful people, but wonderful parents as well”

CC graduated friday May 11, 2012.  We are as proud of her as if she were our own.  She will be an awesome vet in her new practicie in New Mexico.  And is Dozer’s fairy dog mom too.

I think his discharge instructions should have read – keep the cat form teasing the dog instead of try to limit his activty for the next several days. I would have more luck with that. How is it that dogs won’t, don’t, or can’t self limit their activity. The only time I can keep him from trying to jump up and run is to take him outside. Alas, at least I am getting sun on my pastey white legs, hahaha.

We spend a wonderpaw afternoon with Connie, Canine Health Resort, and her tripawds and quadpaws alike. Dozer tried to be a normal dog. Got wet in the pond, rolled in the field and barked to let everyone now he was around. It did him sooooo much good. He has slept well and even ate good this evening. Just one problem so far is that the trip out of the hotel to get to the grass is too taxing for dozer that he is so fatigued he can’t stand to pee. Well, that’s not going to stop us, we made a quick trip to HomeDepot for some rope and a tarp, made our own litter for the tired doggie. Poor thing didn’t know what to think at first but we got the big tail wag on the way back.

Just got the call from CSU Animal Cancer Center….Dozer only has the one tumor and we can proceed with sterotactic radiation therapy!!!