I still don’t believe it. It’s not that I think our veterinarian and the veterinary radiologist are wrong. It’s just that when I look at Cooper’s beloved face and watch him run to the door with his duck, I can’t believe that what they are telling me can possibly be true.
Just last month, we had the vet do a blood panel on Cooper to see how well he was tolerating the Rimadyl. The drug had really been helping his arthritic hips, but it can sometimes do damage to a dog’s liver, so we wanted to make sure all was well. The blood panel was all normal, except for a very slightly elevated number for a particular white blood cell. The vet explained that when the count for that white blood cell reaches the 30,000’s, then that could be a sign of cancer, but while Cooper’s count in the 3,000’s was higher than normal, it didn’t seem immediately concerning.
But then he developed this diarrhea that didn’t go away. The vet, having just seen Cooper, was confident enough to prescribe an antibiotic over the phone. But even after several days, that didn’t seem to be helping. And plus, we noticed three other things: he was eating only about half his regular amount of food, his soft and runny poop was bright orange, and his abdomen seemed hard and somewhat oddly expanded.
So back to the vet Cooper went. When the vet saw him, she sent Russ and Cooper to a veterinary radiologist to have an ultrasound done of his abdomen and see what could be seen.
What they saw are masses on his liver, his spleen, and his lymph nodes. They also suspected a mass in his lungs and their associated lymph nodes.
It’s cancer, they said. Lymphoma.
They offered to do a biopsy to determine which kind of lymphoma. A biopsy would help determine the best kind of chemotherapy that might help Cooper. But Russ declined, and I agree. We didn’t want to put Cooper through an uncomfortable and expensive procedure, just to get information that we wouldn’t actually use.
Of course, the vets offered us the option of chemotherapy. They know that some folks will do anything to keep their dogs alive just a bit longer. But because the cancer is so diffuse in his body, they didn’t offer much hope of improvement with chemo. They also offered prednisone, to temporarily shrink the tumors and ease the inflammation, which would help Coop be more comfortable. With the prednisone, they estimated we’d have a month or two more with Cooper. They also mentioned doing nothing and just letting him go in a couple of weeks.
We decided to go with the prednisone, and it’s like he’s a different dog. Instead of laboring to breathe, he’s able to run to greet us at the door with his duck. He seems happier and more energetic. Of course, his poop is still bright orange, probably the result of a failing spleen, and he can’t eat as much at once as he’d like, probably because a mass is pressing on his guts. And we know the prednisone is a deceiver, making it look like perhaps the vets made a mistake, and that Cooper will come out of this and be with us for many years to come.
But he won’t, except in our hearts. So for right now, we’re cherishing him and doing what we can to give him happy times doing the things he loves: rides in the car, trips to the park, and chances to go out and retrieve one bumper after another and another.
Patrice & Russ,
This breaks my heart to read. Enjoy your special time with Cooper.
Hugs,
Mary & Finnegan
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Patrice and Russ- I am so sorry for you. I have no other words.
Russ and Patrice, I am so sorry to hear this news, will keep you ALL in our thoughts and prayers. Having lost our two last dogs to cancer as well I know what you are going through. They will live in our hearts forever.
So sad. My thoughts are with you. Martyn.
Oh No! I am so very sorry for you and for Cooper. What a stoic little guy he has been, and it seems that he has been through so much. At least he has had a happy life, full of things he loves and he has had two devoted, dedicated parents who do what is best for him. My thoughts are with you.
You’ve done so much for beautiful Cooper and he’s enjoyed and shared a wonderful life full of adventure and love with you both. We can’t have a better companion than our Dogs. Thinking of you in this difficult time.
It’s really hard to believe he’s not healthy! I looked at the photo, and thought, “Oh that’s beautiful boy – and picture”, and then I read your text. What a terrible blow! Very, very sad.
Patrice and Russ, I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. I have followed the exploits, achievements and antics of Cooper since he was your young pup and cheered his every adventure in flyball, show ring and afield. To think of him now sick and suffering and how this must be weighing on you is very sad indeed. Please know that those of us who have walked this same heartrending path hold you in our thoughts and hearts.
Don’t know what to say. Words are inadequate. Sorry doesn’t cover the shock I feel, and that you must be experiencing. But that is all I have to offer, plus the support for the decisions you both had to make.
How sad, I have been reading your posts for a few years now and following along!!!! That made me cry, he is still so young!!!! I have a male and his name is murph!!!!! I can’t imagine how you must feel, they are family, the same as my kids!!!! My heart goes out to you and Russ, I hope the vet is wrong!!!! Ken
Sent from my iPhone
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I’m not somebody you know, but I read your blog regularly. I guess you might say that I’m one of Cooper’s fans. This is shocking and horrible news. I’m sorry that Cooper has to be sick. I’m sorry for your grief. I’m sorry that Cooper won’t be with us for much longer. But I also feel privileged to have been allowed to share (from afar) in this great adventure that has been Cooper’s life. I’m grateful for the time he has had, and for the days and weeks he has left. I’m grateful that he’s feeling a bit better for now. And I’m especially grateful for the time and effort you have expended in letting us get to know this extraordinary dog. I don’t know what else to say.
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I can hardly believe what I am reading about Cooper. I didn’t read your post last time I opened your blog only focused in on showing my husband the photo you posted of your beautiful fellow!
There are no words….our dogs are our family.
So very sorry Patrice & Russ, sending much love from Australia, especially to your brave Cooper xo
I’m so, so sorry, Patrice. Cooper is an amazing dog, and he’s been so lucky to have you and Russ to give him such an exciting life.