Good Night, Sweet Prince

Razzle went to play with Mo on September 25th.

For everyone who knew and loved him, thank  you.  Thank you for your love, your unfailing kindness and support in the last 20 months.  Without all of you, he would not have had the joyous moments that overcame the disease that took him from us. He loved nothing better than to be loved and petted by his people -- and he returned your love in full measure.

There are no words to adequately express what a great friend and companion he was.  Without him, the sun is a little dimmer, the stars a little duller.  He is pain-free and home at last. I am quite sure, by the time we all get there, he will have a line of adoring angels waiting to be with him ...

Do not stand by his grave and weep.
He is not there. He does not sleep.
He is a thousand winds that blow.
He is the diamond glint of snow.
He is sunlight on ripened grain.
He is the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush,
He is the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
He is the soft starshine at night.
Do not stand by his grave and cry.
He is not there . . . He did not die.

Razzle does Walkies

Razzle Goes Down His Ramp

Razzle Goes up the Stairs

Razzle's Tongue

Some Better News

Dr. Tripp saw Razzle today and says he is a good candidate for radiation therapy and a drug that keeps the bone from deforming.  She is hoping that we can see 3-4 months --- if we're lucky (fingers and toes crossed) maybe more! HURRAH!! 

So, he goes to see the radiation oncologist on June 14 and we'll hope that since we caught this early we can keep it under control.  

Let's all hope our boy keeps beating the odds! I'll try to find some newer picture for the next post --- after all, he really does only have three legs!

Our Saddest Day

I took our boy to the vet today as his limping was getting worse; sad to say, the cancer has returned in the right leg, at the hip joint.  This cancer, as most of you know, is inoperable.  He has survived longer with this disease by nearly double than the initial expectations. He has been our brave, strong boy.

He has another appointment Monday with his oncologist, so we will get a better sense of time at that point, but I have been warned he only has a few weeks.

I know all of you love him very much; please feel free to come by at any time; he will love to see you and be seen.  Your loving support of him has helped make him a "poster child" for cancer survivors; these 18 months have been a gift and we have loved and appreciated every moment. 

I don't think of Razzle as "my" dog, but "ours" --- so all of you are more than welcome to come by and make sure you tell him how much you love him before he has to leave us.

Razzle and The Squeaky Toy

A very frisky Razzle Dazzle performing for his best friend Robert -- who is the cinematographer, editor, director and genius behind this delightful Razzle-film.

Razzle's Checkup

Our boy has had his second lung x-ray checkup last week. He is still cancer-free (so far!) and his blood tests say he is not suffering kidney/liver damage from either the previous or current chemotherapy.  The current cancer drug they have him on (Chlorambucil [C] 4mg) -- which has to be handled with gloves it's so toxic, evidently has an off-label use for treatment of canine GERD.  He's has been absolutely frisky on this drug, frankly he's a happier, bouncier, more playful dog than he's ever been. The gastrointestinal upset that has been a part of his life as long as I've had him seem to have vanished.  Who knew that cancer treatment was the cure for the Permanently Upset Stomach?  Certainly first I've heard of such a thing, but, he's positively PUPPY-like these days. 

Goodbye, Mighty Mo --

We said good-bye to Mo today. He was twenty and a half. He had a wonderful life and was wonderfully loved.  Would we could guide the humans in our lives to the next step in their journey so gently.. Mo was a huge part of many lives and he will always be missed. He's gone home to play with Dad at last.