Our Little Gal Under the Knife...

[IronNoggin]

Damn Tough Day over here...

About 6 years ago now my Missuz and I decided to try and hunt down an Arctic Wolf male that I knew had been transplanted to the Island from Victoria Island, NWT, with a view towards possibly finding a new Companion to look after her during my frequent absences from the Hacienda. After a bit of a search (I'm pretty well connected in the world of Wolf Hybrids having been associated with them for over 30 years) we not only managed to locate that Big Boy, but also discovered he had just thrown a litter with a beautiful German Shepherd / Lab cross female. Still fondly remember those first days getting to know, and falling head over heels with the Little Gal we named "Asuilu" - translated to "Probably" in Inuvialuktun (Western Arctic Inuit).

http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/WolfPup2.jpg

Asuilu was named in the hopes that she would give some pups to our aging Wolf Hybrid male of the time Munuqsii ("Camp Watcher"). While that never did come to fruition, she was a steadfast and loving companion to him right up to when he departed a year and change later.

She rapidly developed into a Very Pretty Girl, and eagerly accepted / learned her role as my Missuz Second Soul Mate.

http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/Asuilu.jpg (http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/Asuilu.jpg)

She also took readily to the new 1/2 Timber Wolf, 1/2 Alaskan Husky male I brought in to fill the niche in our lives when Munuqsii departed - Boogs or Amaruq ("Wolf") as we named him:

http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/Asuilu_Amaruq_1.jpg (http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/Asuilu_Amaruq_1.jpg)

And eventually between the two of them, they had two Fantastic Litters that now live amongst well chosen and dedicated Friends.

http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/10_Pups_3.jpg (http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/10_Pups_3.jpg)

As some here know, my springs are always spent offshore in the pursuit of salmon. "Springs" or "Kings", regardless of what you call them, they are the largest and strongest of the Pacific Salmon, and their quest each year has completely captured my focus for decades now.
So, it was while I found myself well offshore engaged in that pursuit just a short time ago that I received an unexpected call from my Lady. Asuilu has a problem. There is a small lump on one of her mammaries that appears to be growing. My advice was to watch it Very Carefully, and let me know what happens in the next very short while. Two days later, another call - the lump is growing and doing so Damn Fast! In to the vet immediately - biopsy performed, and the pacing began.

Wrapping up the spring fishing season, I ran home to be with my Lady and "kids". Then, two days ago - the dreaded call. Positive. Double Dammit!! http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif

So, with gentle hands we loaded her into the truck this morning for the short ride out to the surgeon's office. She knows this place, and what it means due to having been spayed there a year and a half ago now. The pleading look in her eyes, asking us to Please Not make her endure what was to come stung sharply. And although I consider myself a rather strong Man, I readily admit there were tears in my eyes as I nervously made my way to drop my Lady at work, and return to a house full of apprehension. The other two know something is up, and recognize that it ain't anything good...

I have to now run down to the coast, something I simply cannot avoid although I VERY much wish I could. Can't get back home for at least a couple of days, leaving my Lady to deal with whatever now comes...

Hoping against hope we caught it in time. Hoping against hope it can all be removed. Hoping against hope our "Gal" will go through the surgery without any ill effects (she does not react well to this kind of thing). And Hoping against Hope our time with this Precious Lady won't be cut short...

I am not a praying man, but there are times. Today is one...

Cross your fingers for us and those that do, perhaps consider a little prayer for our Gal that She comes home Safe and Sound. Six years is FAR too Young...

Gotta go now, can't see the screen through the mist in my eyes. Will update this as I am able...

Worried,
Matt

[MB_Boy]

I hope all works out Matt.....we've all had the privilege of following the lives of your pups over the years.

[Cedar Cowgirl]

From a couple of dog people to another our thoughts are with you good luck.

[shallowH2O]

man hope it works out the best for ya. ill pray a little to

[Johnny G1]

Prayers for your pup Nog, they are pretty tough.

[IronNoggin]

Thanks for the kind words Folks! Sincerely Appreciated!

Sawbones just called - procedure went alright, and now she's in Recovery Mode. Put off my coast run until I can help my Lady welcome her back to our waiting arms along with the rest of the pack...

First hurdle hopefully accomplished. Long ways to go, but hopefully started out on the right path now...

Cheers,
Matt

[Steeleco]

The loss of my last dog nearly made me not get the one we have. It's horrible, not a lot different than loosing kin!! Best wishes to the pup any you guys.

[Mishka]

My thoughts are with your pup and her family. Dogs are just so special. When you let them into your life, they bring so much love.

[tuffteddyb]

Best of luck,,,dogs are tough tho and pull thru these things easier than we do.
Our little dog just had a leg and shoulder taken off and she was down for a day then back at it
in two days.Goin strong now and its only been around a month.

[cdnshooter13]

Thoughts an prayers for your little girl and your family. Shes young and strong and you know she'll give it one hell of a fight for you so keep positive, stay strong and make sure you make every minute you have with her count.

[IronNoggin]

She's home now. Shell-shocked of course.
Put the run to the coast off although I shouldn't have. Small Sacrifice in the larger picture. It can and will wait.

Damn Furry Kids! Kinda have a way of taking the wind out of your sails when you least expect it...

We'll know in a little while just how successful today went. Hopefully I'll return to Good News!

Thanks for letting me offload. It does help...

Cheers,
Matt

[kennyj]

Glad to hear shes home Nog. I hope it all went well, and she has a full recovery.
kenny

[Knute]

Wishing all the best for you guys there Matt.

[coach]

Best wishes, Matt! Keep us updated. Wish there was something we could do to help. Dogs truly are man's best friends.

[tuffteddyb]

Glad she's home will feel better now

[IronNoggin]

Did a whirlwind run yesterday, managing to get almost all I needed to accomplished, and return late in the evening. Exhausted, but back to watch after developments here.

Asuilu is pretty much down in the dumps as expected. The Missuz has been by her side constantly, and gone so far as to move her bed downstairs to be with her Faithful Companion through the nights. Asuilu absolutely detests the cone-head she has to wear, and cannot be left alone even for a few minutes or she WILL find a way to get shed of that. Despite her annoyance with the situation, she appears to be recovering on schedule. The huge (8") scar on her belly has not inflamed, and is draining as it should. And she is actually a little spunky today, albeit uncoordinated trying to maneuver with the cone. Hasn't eaten much so far, not surprising under the circumstances methinks.

Here's My Gals settling in for the night http://fishbcforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wub.gif

http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Ironnoggin/Recovery_1.jpg

Feels damn strange to have the two of them downstairs and not where they regularly sleep each night. Small penance I guess in the effort to keep her comfortable and quiet over the next while.

Now we await the word form the Sawbones. Hoping they find that they got it all, and sincerely Hoping for a Speedy & Full Recovery.

Letcha know as it goes...

Cheers,
Nog

[Piperdown]

Fingers crossed Nog hope all goes well from here on in.

[Wild Images]

All the best Matt, all our critters are pullin for her !!!

Ken

[IronNoggin]

Got the call. She has been confirmed with "squamous cell carcinoma". While the Vet believes they likely got it all, they now need to run a series of tests: lymph node samples and chest x-rays to ensure it has not spread to other parts of her body. And they want us to watch the area it was removed from very closely over the rest of her life. Apparently this insidious disease has a habit of reappearing very close to the same area as the original infection.

Damn thing is rare in mammary glands. And while it is somewhat rare for it to move into other areas of the body, it can and does happen. We're hoping that is not the case. If they did get it all, survival rates run around 80%. If they didn't those drop to less than 40%. Time will tell I guess... She's a Tough Gal, so hopefully she can beat this damn thing...

DAMN! http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/images/smilies/icon_cry.gif
Nog

[Johnny G1]

The wife just went through the same shit. 6mm breast and they said the same thing, got it all but the wife is a wreck thinkin it will come back and they gave her a 95% clearance, bad shit no how you look at it, I'm hopin and sure your pup is alrite, now if I can just get the wife to believe the same.

[604redneck]

I feel for you as my 4.5 year old viszla just went in to the vet for a rapidly growing growth on his head, we still havent received biopsy results....It looks as though i will be praying for both yours and mine now.