Why this wonderful breed?

Now that we have had a few days to let everything sink in, and come to the realization that Rudy is cancer free for now and hopefully forever. I have posted a few pictures of the Mast Cell Tumour, and surgery site. I want to bring as much awareness to this horrible disease that boxers are so prone to. Not once did we think that this was cancer. This growth looked more like a wart, it would come and go. Even our oncologist had doubts that this was a Mast Cell Tumour, because it did not look or feel like your typical tumour. This tumour was so poorly diffused.

Once you are informed that your loved one has cancer, there are so many thoughts that go through your mind on a daily basis. You want to do what is best for them, but you have to realize when you are just being selfish. Where do you draw the line, or more importantly how can you draw the line? Rudy gives us unconditional love, he is full of hugs and kisses, he is there when you need him. We can always count on Rudy to put a smile on our face, make us laugh when he is being a little comedian on a daily basis. After a stressful day at work, you come home and as soon as you walk in the door you mood changes immediately - he has a full blown butt wiggle going on just about turning himself inside out!

We have been very fortunate to have such a great prognosis. I guess my questions are: Boxers are always there for us - how do you know when you are being selfish?
Boxers bring so much happiness to our world - so why is this wonderful breed so prone to cancer?

Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody that is battling this horrible disease.

Rudy's Mom

Awesome News - Cancer Free!!!

Our vet called last night and informed us that they just faxed the results through to him. All margins are free of cancer... the closest was 1.5 cm and the furthest was 3 cm. Rudy does not require chemotherapy or radiation. It is now total celebration of Rudy's life! I would just like to thank Dogster for having this wonderful site, thank everybody for the emails, and to those that were thinking and praying for Rudy. You will always be in our hearts!

Waiting Patiently...

I received a phone call at work on Friday from our vet, I instantly had a lump in my throat, heart pounding out of my chest. I was expecting the worst news ever that they did not get all of the cancer. My vet informed me that he had some bad news for us - then there was a pause that seemed like a lifetime. My eyes filled up with tears...

Our vet informed me that Rudy's surgical biopsy is still sitting at the border, they will not let it cross the border. It has been sitting at the border for 3 weeks now, they are sending it back to our vet. Our oncologist in Toronto is going to fax some papers down to our vet to hopefully expedite this pathology to New York city. At least Rudy's biopsy has not been lost - thank goodness! It looks like that we will waiting patiently for at least another 3 weeks for the results...

Praying and hoping for the best on a daily basis!

Rudy's Mom

Our biggest fear... Mast Cell Tumour

Rudy had this little spot on the left side of his bum, it would come and go. We took him to the vets and they completed a fine needle aspiration, it should basal cells. Our vet set up an appointment for an oncologist from Toronto to come down to see this tumour. The oncologist stated that it did not look like a mast cell tumour it was very diffused, the only way on knowing for sure was to do a biospy. The oncologist informed us that if indeed it was a grade II we would have to take part of Rudy's anal sphincter and he would require a skin flap. We sent the biopsy off to New York City, and they confirmed that it was a low grade II mast cell tumour, low risk of being aggressive, and low risk of metastases.

On February 4th we met with our vet and the oncologist again regarding surgery, the oncologist said that it would not have to be an aggressive surgery anymore since the lump was gone. He was hoping that Rudy would have enough extra skin to take a large enough section, that would have great margins and have enough to close him up nicely. They booked us in for surgery the very next day. This has been so overwhelming.

The surgery was completed with no complications, the tissue has been sent off to New York City for pathology. Rudy is back home, almost his usual self. Trying to keep a boxer quiet for 10 days... hard enough to do for 10 minutes. His incision is quite long for being on his bum. All I do is pray that our little guy will make it, and that they got all of the cancer. He is our pride and joy and always will be.

It has been a busy couple of months!

I was forced to go to the vets for a one year check up by my father. After my weigh in Dad thought the vet would make me go on a diet, as I weighed in at 92.5 pounds. The vet said I didnt need to go on a diet, I'm just a really big boxer. I pretty much had a clean bill of health - we are just watching my eyes as my eyelids are a little droopy. This could possibly mean surgery down the road if eye infections become a problem. (Luckily no issues so far)

As for Christmas, that was really hectic! I received a new bed (destroyed the last one) and some new toys (destroyed the last ones). "Jayke" one of my pals from Belleville gave my Dad a bottle of wine - Thanks Jayke! The best part of Christmas was when company came over and I mauled each and every one of them. There was only one problem over the Xmas holidays, on January 2nd I was not acting myself. My parents thought I was sick and were really watching me with a close eye. They figured it out pretty quick - I suffered separation anxiety when they went back to work. I had one or both of them home all of the time for pretty much 10 whole days. Then on January 2nd it was just me, myself and I.

Bark at you soon - Rudy!

Cake?

Yesterday was my B-I-G day! Through out the day was a little boring... while Mom & Dad were at work. Dad arrived home first, which doesn't happen too often. He made me my favorite dinner, scrambled eggs on top of my food. The only problem was that he forgot the CHEESE! We played for awhile until my Mom finally made it home. Guess what she bought me? Birthday Cake! Dad was a little scared that I would have a sugar rush, so he cut me off just a little piece and HE ate the rest...

I am no longer a little boy, I am a little MAN!

This morning when I went outside to do my business, we walked up and down the fence line like every morning. I am getting so sick of those stupid coyotes coming down in MY yard and marking everything where I usually go. I have finally had enough of them, I really put it to their marks this morning. My hair on my back was raised and I cocked my leg for the very first time. I put some real testosterone behind this one... that should keep them away!!

My mom was so excited she ran down to the house to tell my dad - I don't see what the big deal was - I just lifted my leg!

18 more days to go!

Hey to all my three and four-legged friends out there, I need some advice! I am going to have my 1st birthday in 18 more days. I was just wondering... "Do I have to start to behave?", "Do I have to listen to my parents?", "Do I have to grow up and act more mature?" or can "I be a puppy for a little bit longer - stretch this out as much as I can?" Some of my parents two-legged friends that have boxers say that their dogs didn't start to settle down till they were 3 or 4! Do you know if they mean weeks, months, or years? I am really hoping it is decades!

I really hope somebody can help me out!
Your buddy, Rudy!