I was missing Hank yesterday. No particular reason. I did sign up Baz for group training to start next month, so maybe that got me. I don’t know. I just miss Hank. I love Baz too.
Melancholy.
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Tag Archives: bordercollie
New desk.
Radar likes chewing corners of things, so he chewed up the desk (aka bed) the he and Baz share. Unfortunately Baz would also try to eat the stuffing that came out. I got them a new round bed hoping this will stifle Radar’s proclivities.
Hank used to chew corners on things when I first got him – ottomans, pillows, dog bed. This is why all his early photos c.2008 have a round bed. 😉
Rest Easy, My Love.
Today would’ve been Hank’s 13th Gotcha Day, though I suppose it always will be his day, like a birthday. It’s a day that changed my life. While I did rescue him, he most certainly rescued me too, particularly when I was long-term unemployed. This blog was started at that time because of him.
Thinking about him today I realized I never posted the pic of his final rest. I found Paper Turtle Urns on Etsy, a ceramicist in Albuquerque, and she made this beautiful custom urn for me. Cousin Jonathan consulted on various decisions along the way.
Hank now sits in the living room, along with representations of Stretch Kitty and Spooky Kitty (who both hated him to varying degrees, yet he was devoted to them). Baz likes to sit in the window seat that’s to the left to watch the world go by, and so they all spend some time together.
Sadness & Joy.
Familiar motif.
Well, I guess I’m consistent…
Sleep well, my love.
Today was my father’s yahrtzeit, the commemoration of the Hebrew date that he passed away.
Five years ago, I took this photo of Hank on the morning of the day that my father ended up dying.
And this morning I said goodbye to Hank. Sleep well, my love. It’s been a great adventure, and I couldn’t have done it without you. ❤️
Hank Pupdate.
We went to Hank’s primary care vet today. I wanted someone to really look at him, not just photos, and get some advice and meds.
The vet confirmed that the growth is a tumor, and that due to its location there could be infection.
He did think that seeing the ophthalmologist on Thursday could be helpful, and he also prescribed antibiotics and pain meds.
The vet does not believe Hank is in pain right now, but there is likely discomfort. Hank did allow him to fully examine his eye and inside his mouth without flinching, crying or otherwise, so that’s good.
The fact of the matter is that he won’t be recovering from any of this; it’s end-of-life management. I’ll do my best to make sure he’s doing okay and still enjoying life, day by day.
Things… are not so good.
About 2-3 weeks ago I contacted Hank’s surgeon & her team about his left eye being goopy, sort of excessive eye boogers, and sent over some photos. The surgeon was not concerned about the goop at the front of his eye, but the black mass near the back; she suspected it was a melanoma and recommended we see an ophthalmologist. Our appointment is next Thursday.
This past weekend I noticed that Hank now had a new lump on the left side of his face. It was not present when I sent the eye goop photos earlier. I emailed new photos to the surgeon.
It’s a reoccurrence of his cancer; there’s no reason to believe otherwise. Surgery is not an option anymore. Radiation might help, but I have already rejected that course of treatment because it would be torturous for Hank. The surgeon felt we should keep the ophthalmologist appointment since that doctor may be able to help the eye with a minor procedure in-office. This could help Hank’s quality of life.
After that it’s watching, waiting, and pain management until it’s time to say good-bye. No guesses on the timeframe of that process.
Mattapoisett.
Here we are.
Hank had his oncology consult on Tuesday. We have decided to do nothing and just let him be.
The possible treatment for his type of cancer and its location involves both radiation and chemo. The radiation would be four straight weeks, every day, and under anesthesia. The radiation is likely to cause burns or blisters in his mouth and make it hard to eat. People often board the dog for the week for treatment, then take them home for the weekend. All of this sounds like torture for Hank, and I said as much to the doctor.
She said that if Hank were younger, like 8, she might recommend it, but his age (14) does come into consideration. The treatment does not cure the cancer, only possibly gives him a few more months. However she wanted to present me with the options.
One thing to note is that the cancer may not recur at all. The surgeon got good margins on the growth, but not ideal. Because the cancer is so localized, if the margins were truly good enough it is possible that it may not come back.
At his final post-surgery follow up last week, the surgeon was happy to see how well Hank was healing. She expressed hope that he will get to live to 17 and become the crotchety old guy he’s supposed to be.
I’m good with that plan. ❤️
Of Dogs & Donuts 