Tucker, my huge little guy...

[IzzieK]

During our trip to Tennessee hubby and I decided to go to the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park. This is Tucker, my spoiled brat beast whom we love very much. I didn't do any edits on this one as I only want to have memories of him of something unusual he doesn't usually do – wet his paws and drink from a river. I only changed the format and resize this shot for uploading to CiC.

From March onwards to this day, he has been really sick and we just want us to have time with him at all times, 24/7. He was diagnosed with low white blood count around April when we saw his vet who sent us to the best of the three practicing oncologist in Missouri. Blood tests after blood tests, process of elimination as to what he has wasn't easy to be had. He was losing a lb of weight a day so he was put on steroids.

On the day he was given an almost clean bill of health, he fell down the stairs and broke the tendon across his left knee. We have to wait until he was steroid free so he can be operated on. 8 weeks of therapy (out of 10) we brought him to our regular vet because of a hard cell matter on his back and three other soft tissues bumps on his right side. We were sent back to his oncologist who diagnosed him with coetaneous lymphoma, an ailment not readily seen in rotties but fatal as there is no cure for it. He was given 100gms chemotherapy capsules to try to lessen the hard walnut size cell in his back plus along other bumps on his right side. We went for a check-up before we left for Tennessee and we were told his cancer is going down and that the medicine is working.

In the meantime, I changed his regular diet to food for cancer for dogs diet – grain free, high protein, high oil content. I have always cook his meals and if I can't eat it, then I wouldn't serve it to him. We just want a miracle…as we read that there is an 80% chance of remission from this ailment on this breed.

Sorry for the long story…I just want to let you all to know that this guy is the reason why I have not much time uploading photos in the forum. We are praying and wanting a miracle for him.

I will upload other photos of other stuffs I had taken during our trip later on…

[bnnrcn]

I'm so sorry to hear what Tucker has been through Isabel . I wish him the best. At least it is good to hear that the vets said that the cancer is going down. So, I hope you will get even better news soon .

[ShaneS]

I too am sorry to hear about Tucker's health and know that you heart must be breaking. May the medicine and your loving attention continue to ease his woes...

[rpcrowe]

Izzie,

My thoughts, wishes and prayers are with you and Tucker...

[rtbaum]

Izzie- I send my bestest wishes toward You and Tucker. I think that I know what your next photo assignment will be.

[NorthernFocus]

Tucker has surely had a rough go it sounds like. He's lucky to have you for a mom Enjoy your time with him. It's never long enough regardless of reasons. Before you know it photos like this one will be precious. They'll bring tears for a while then smiles.

[Digital]

Izzie, my prayers are with you.



Bruce

[FootLoose]

I'm sorry to hear there has been so much sadness in your life, Izzie, but I am glad there is reason to be optimistic at present. It is truly said that dogs are our best friends.

[KimC]

Izzie, being a fellow animal lover, I know how very difficult this is. Sending prayers your way that a miracle will occur for Tucker...

[chauncey]

Words are so insufficient Izzie but...be aware in the knowledge that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

[flashback]

Izzie,
Been there done that, BooDoo sends high energy to Tucker (interestingly her first, still and best friend is a 3 year old chocolate lab named...Tucker!)

[Shadowman]

Izzie,

Sad news, take lots of portrait shots.

[travis4567]

So sorry Izzie, My prayers are with you and Tucker.

[Rita]

Izzie, I am also a great dog lover and it caused me sadness to read about what he has been going through. They have a way of getting into our hearts and when they hurt we hurt

[IzzieK]

Dear Friends...

Thank you all for your kind words. Tucker was given 2 months to live if we preferred for him not to have his chemo and 9 months if we give him the capsules which will last 21 days/treatment. We chose the latter to give us and him more time with one another. He has a chance of 9 months or a remission with the treatments of chemo capsules and pain medications. And if his cancer goes on remission, he has to be really in remission and shows no signs of his cancer so he can undergo a bone marrow transplant. Because he is such a large breed, we were told he will survive the 6-hour operation. My job now is to keep him healthy with his diet and Bill's job is to keep him healthy with exercises each day.

I am counting my blessings during this time when I don't succumb to the hurt of losing him later...I strongly believe there is a God out there looking out for us all and as I count my blessings for having you all as good friends who meant well, I am counting also our blessings of having Tucker in our lives at this time.

B&H will still hear from me this week for that macro rig and lens that I want to order.

[gregj1763]

Good luck with it all Izzie a rough time for sure. Give Tucker a big cuddle from me

[IzzieK]

Good luck with it all Izzie a rough time for sure. Give Tucker a big cuddle from me

Done...thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it very much.

[csa mt]

Izzie, I'm so sorry to hear about Tucker's illness. I know what you are going thru; they are our fuzzy children, and we love them with all our hearts. My dear sweet Juneau will be 10 on Friday, and I've made a promise that each day I will never be too busy/distracted to throw that ball for her, or to spend a long time telling her how much I love her when I tuck her in each night.

I so hope that Tucker will overcome this, and be able to spend more time with you. Give Tucker a big loving hug from me.

[IzzieK]

Thanks Carol...yes he is the tie that binds our hearts and makes it stronger. It hurts so bad at times and I tend to go to my piano to get a breather or here at CiC to get my mind off even just for wee bit of a time. I can't remember not loving him at all come to think of it. When I first came here in the US to live my husband has a dog. Just a dog. I wondered a lot why she is just a dog. I took care of her for the remainder of her life. Hubby noticed it. JJ left us to furryland and I got myself a rottie. He turned out to be the most intelligent dog I have ever had. I enrolled him in Search and Rescue because he was really that good but he died of canine renal failure nearly 8 months later. Bill cried almost 20x a day, I think. I never knew he cared. He surely did not show it to Coopers. So I got Tucker. Flew to Texas to get this mangy, little beast...and taught Bill how to love a dog. I've achieved that with Tucker...they are more touchy feely with one another, a real master/companion. I taught Bill how to talk/communicate with Tucker, treat him like an equal human being...But Tucker knows how to balance his relationship with each of us separately --he is mine (or is it the other way around?) when he is home and every time his dad goes out, he is dad's boy. I'd like to think that he achieved his purpose, so now he is building us up to go ... it still hurts... badly.

All we want is a little bit more time with him...all we wish. I will tell him you care too.

Izzie, I'm so sorry to hear about Tucker's illness. I know what you are going thru; they are our fuzzy children, and we love them with all our hearts. My dear sweet Juneau will be 10 on Friday, and I've made a promise that each day I will never be too busy/distracted to throw that ball for her, or to spend a long time telling her how much I love her when I tuck her in each night.

I so hope that Tucker will overcome this, and be able to spend more time with you. Give Tucker a big loving hug from me.

[KimC]

Thanks Carol...yes he is the tie that binds our hearts and makes it stronger. It hurts so bad at times and I tend to go to my piano to get a breather or here at CiC to get my mind off even just for wee bit of a time. I can't remember not loving him at all come to think of it. When I first came here in the US to live my husband has a dog. Just a dog. I wondered a lot why she is just a dog. I took care of her for the remainder of her life. Hubby noticed it. JJ left us to furryland and I got myself a rottie. He turned out to be the most intelligent dog I have ever had. I enrolled him in Search and Rescue because he was really that good but he died of canine renal failure nearly 8 months later. Bill cried almost 20x a day, I think. I never knew he cared. He surely did not show it to Coopers. So I got Tucker. Flew to Texas to get this mangy, little beast...and taught Bill how to love a dog. I've achieved that with Tucker...they are more touchy feely with one another, a real master/companion. I taught Bill how to talk/communicate with Tucker, treat him like an equal human being...But Tucker knows how to balance his relationship with each of us separately --he is mine (or is it the other way around?) when he is home and every time his dad goes out, he is dad's boy. I'd like to think that he achieved his purpose, so now he is building us up to go ... it still hurts... badly.

All we want is a little bit more time with him...all we wish. I will tell him you care too.

Just love this Izzie - so very special. ��